Am now in Napier on the east coast after cycling around 250km in the last two days. The scenery was very samey over the past couple of days - northern Wairarapa is pretty much sheep-country and a lot like the IOM in that respect. There were a few highlights, the main being the cafe at Norsewood where I got a great big chunk of carrot cake and cream and had a good chat to some other cycle-tourists from Switzerland. I also managed to increase my land speed record to a whopping 68kph! The low point was really the fact that most of it was on state highway 2 - there were a few scary moments involving narrow bridges and big sheep trucks!
I've decided I'll stay in this region for a few days until Sunday when I meet up with my cousin Gary who's playing golf in nearby Hastings. The plan is to head back to Wellington with him for 2 days R&R and re-stock and then go back with him to Tauranga where I can continue my touring 'til Christmas.
The weather here has been awesome so far - really hot and sunny, just like the Algarve. The town of Napier was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 I think, and they rebuilt it in Art Deco style. In my professional opinion it looks 'pretty cool', i.e. I'm not even sure what Art Deco really is; apparently here is like Miami Beach but there is some Maori influence mixed in.
Last night was pretty scary. I decided to freecamp on the banks of the Tukituki river around 40km south of here. I kept thinking, 'it'd be just my luck that the farmer will come on this particular day at this time and have a pop at me with his shotgun!' Then I experienced just how inquistive cows really are. They found me super-quick and wouldn't bugger off, so I had to tentatively chase them away so they wouldn't blow my cover! Never mind, it was worth it because I got to bathe in the river and the scenery was stunning. I've tried to upload a 'pic of the view looking down at the river valley where I stayed. Hopefully, you can see how misty it turned overnight, and imagine how cold and wet the tent was in the morning when I got up (at 0500) and left at 6am! It was worth getting up at that hour for the view though.
I spent the rest of the morning trying to get warm and found a cafe in Havelock North where I got a full cooked breakfast. It went down a treat, I even ate the butter out of the little pack. That's the beauty of cycling everywhere - you burn it all off! I arrived in Napier around 1100 and got the tent out to dry it off. Luckily everything is nice and dry now so I'll be comfortable tonight. The plan for tomorrow is to see some more Art Deco buildings (and learn what it is) and to hopefully see the Gannet colony 25km away at Cape Kidnappers. I've also got to find a cheap spot to camp. Perhaps I'll find a river somewhere near! Without the cows...
-AC
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