Wednesday 22nd January - Levin to Wellington (end of our second phase of our NZ trip)

We woke early to grey skies fog and high winds and were really pleased we decided on a cabin for our rest the night before.  A wise decision in hindsight.  Loretta started her final day at 6.00 a.m. Cycling South but by 8.00 had phoned to say the fog was severe and it was becoming dangerous cycling on the main highway with long narrow bridges and extensive roadworks reducing the width of the roadway.  It was decided that Jan would go and pick up Loretta to take her across the motorway section into The Wellington suburbs to finish her ride of the full length of the North Island.  Tony and I, on the other hand decided to have a more leisurely start.  We decided that it would be worth while trying out all our cycle camping kit on our bikes before the ferry crossing so if anything was amiss we could put it right at Wellington.  So we began with full kit from Levin.  After about 30 kms and improving weather we found a marked cycle trail sign and after a good brunch at a cafe we took the opportunity to leave the main highway and it's horrendous lories and logging trucks and poodle along the windy coast road to Paraparauma which was so rewarding.  We arrived in this town early afternoon and found the railway station easily.  As the next train to Wellington was only 3 mins away we decided to take the train for the last part of our North Island adventure.  Everyone advised this as the best course of action due to the motorway into Wellington excluding bikes. So into Wellinton we went and had a good afternoon finding a nice hotel and buying tickets for the Picton ferry for tomorrow.  Overall a very good day despite the worrying start.

Loaded and ready to go

Brunch, just gorgeous!