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!

Tuesday 21st January - Whangara to Levin

Three of us started out cycling today, in pouring rain, a serious constant south wind and an expected 107 kms ahead of us.  This is the penultimate day of the North Island trip and it has been unanimously agreed it's been the hardest day yet.  This view was purely due to the severe weather conditions.  Today no photos were taken as it would have been difficult to keep the camera safe and dry in the conditions we faced.  We stopped for lunch at Bulls, a lovely quant town and had a pleasant much needed fuel stop.  We decided that we all had enough of camping in wet conditions so tonight we had a comfortable cabin with soft mattress and a luxurious pillow to rest our heads.  PS. jan managed to take a few photos today as she was the back up driver and had a bit more energy and time than we did.  So here are a few of her photos.  

In the evening we had a last meal all together before continuing to Wellingon separately the following day.

Monday 20th January Hawera to Wanganui

Today we covered 96.2 km comfortably, with appropriate coffee and lunch stops.  The countryside was pleasant rolling with a slight wind on our backs.  This evening just after we set up camp we experienced an earthquake tremor that lasted 10 minutes.  When listening to the news, we discovered the earthquake was 6.5 on the richter scale and the epicentre was on the East coast miles from here.  After that it began the heavy steady rain that was forecast for overnight and is expected for the morning too.  Let's just go to bed and hope that by 2.30 a.m. all is calm, dry and looking promising for the day ahead.  Night night for now.

Sunday 19th January - Further South still from Onaero to Hawera

Well we have actually been in New Zealand two weeks today. To celebrate we had a break from cycling and drove the car around the huge volcanoe of Mount Egmont (2510 metres high). Our route was from just north of New Plymouth via route 45 to Hawera. This volcano is still active, I have read, and the land around it has funny dome shaped humps in the grasslands surrounding it many miles. We visited two light houses, one of which ( Cape Ergmont Lighthouse) denoted the most westerly point of North Island. Just three or four more days now and we will have completed our journey from North to South of North Island via this most westerly point.

It has been a whistle stop tour aided by the car carrying all our luggage and With us taking our turn moving the support car along our route. So not a purists cycle tour so far. That will all change in Wellington however when we attach the panniers and go off for real. We have managed with Loretta's help to see so much of the North Island in such a short time.

New Plymouth Art at Work

Cape  Ergmont 

Inside the lighthouse

Views of Mt Ergmont (below)

Saturday 18th January, Waitomo Caves to Onareo via Te Kuiti

Another good day and we continue South. We both took our turns cycling with Loretta today, covering 132 kms.  With a hilly route, which included going over Mt. Messenger.  We cycled by the west coast and were rewarded with sights of the famous White Cliffs. 

Friday 17th January Hamilton to Waitomo Caves via Te Kuiti

Today was a great success.  We met up with Loretta's mum at Hamilton gardens in South Hamilton and we then all caught up with Loreta who had already started the cycling south.  Tony and I then joined her cycling with a seriously strong headwind which slowed the pace significantly.   The countryside was rolling and the hills less steep than earlier in the tour and we could see the character of the landscape change as we cycled.  We managed to catch the last tour of the day at Waitomo Caves and were rewarded with awesome sights of gloworms deep underground in the caverns of the cave.  It was well worth the extra effort to make the last tour of the day.  

14th,15th and16th Jan from Orewa to Ramareama

Tursday we had to get through Auckland on busy roads. We were only too happy to let Loretta do the cycling whilst we got the backup car through. We drove over Auckland Harbour Bridge which was fun and stayed just South of Auckland.

Wednesday and Thursday it was time to take time out and have a rest. While Loretta cycled to Hamilton and stayed with friends for two nights We drive to Raglan and spent two days in A cabin on the seashore at Raglan.  The days were taken up with walking along its beautiful coast and visiting Bridal Veil Waterfall. We also had a road trip around the rugged coastline on our right and with Mt. Karioi  ( 756 metres high) on our left. 

View from Eaglan shoreline

Low tide at Raglan

A lookout post on our sightseeing around Raglan

Bridal Veil Waterfall

Monday13th Jan. Continuing South Ruakaka to Orewa

We stopped at Orewa after a day of fine weather and some good cycling. We stopped the night at a Backpackers just north of the town. 

Sunday 12 th Jan - Bay of Islands to Ruakaka

We had a final look around Bay of Islands and then moved south. Again an early start meant that we could pack the tent up early and enjoy the beach. Our second day of a beachfront location.

Bay Of Islands

View from our tent

For me this meant time to get out of the water!  This is a stingray that was caught by a fishing line.  It was released back into the sea.

Saturday 11th Jan Bay of Islands

We have to move the backup car so Tony drove and Catherine and Loretta cycled. 96 kms today and  all done by 3 pm after an early start.

Our evening camp. This photo was taken with a flash and proving that reflective materials do work !

Our view from the tent which was right on the shore

Talking on Skype the next morning

Friday 10th Jan to Cape Reanga

We got up at 5.30 as it got light. A road trip of eighty miles to Cape Reinga. At this point the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet.  Now the end to end journey could start for Tony and Loretta as Catherine volunteered for the first days back up driver. As the driver Catherine managed to take in the sights of Nighty Mile beach as well as guy diggers Park which showed the history of the Kauri tree and the development of the NZ amber and gum for good quality wood varnish. Catherine also strolled along the White Silica sands while Tony and Loretta cycled the towards Awanui where we all met up for refreshments. The giant sand dunes at TePaki Stream where it is possible to toboggan down then is also a sight to be seen. 

Loretta takes in the view before heading South