29th dec until 3rd jan 2011

Happy new year, as at the time we where ar te Araura on the east most point on nz we were the first people to see in 2011. We have cycled nearly 400 miles since leaving roturoa and been traveling around the remote east cape. This area has a high Marae population, and as you cycle along you pass horses tethered to gates, boys swimming in the very wide rivers, and jumping from the long narrow wooden bridges. We have been passing marae meeting houses with ornate carvings,and camping at night.
As we cycled we moved from the camps dedicated to nz boat and fishing fanatics with their signs in the camp kitchens telling you not to store beer in the fridge, (they did however always present us with a cold beer on arrival in camp) to the quieter areas were you could cycle (i measured it) 29 miles without passing a shop or cafe of any description. We missed the roadside stalls selling fruit, but now that we have arrived in gisbourne have picked them up again.
On the road are several people cycling including one Australian guy who reminds me of john (brother) his cycle he found and repaired, his clothes are 1970s and he works as a horticulurlist running his own company but always takes home fruit and veg supplies from his clients (
He was horrified to find an empty orange juice carton in the bin of one client for whom he had planted an orange grove),. Also cycling at a slow but steady pace are a German couple with a 2 year old in a tag along. Now I do not want to make you think that this means the terrain was easy, there have been some mighty big hills, plus today it has been over 32 degrees.
We have also passed the southern hemispheres longest Pier built in the early 1900"s to accommodate ships transporting grain. Visited a vineyard run by a Yorkshire man through we only met his wife, with whom i had a long discussion about the best way to cook the hare she had just been given. anyway we are now in gisburne but unable to get our bikes on a bus south until wed, but with this heat a rest day will be very pleasant.