Happy Birthday, Avery!

March 28, 2013
Between Te Puke and Tauranga, NZ on the beach.

My older daughter, Avery, turned 36 today. How can that be? I remember turning 36 and it doesn't seem that long ago. Every year, her birthday blows my mind! Where oh where have all those years gone. I remember the first time I saw her after I came out of surgery. " She looks just like me!" I said as her father held her up. But she looks nothing like me now:). For whatever reason, a first born holds a special place in a mother's heart. Maybe because they had to suffer through your learning process. Motherhood comes with no manual, just trial and error, and lots of ideas. Please forgive me, Avery, for all my screw ups. I had good intentions and always want(ed) what was best for you. A mother's lament. Must have done something right, or she turned out okay in spite of me:). Hope this is an amazing birthday and can't wait to talk to you tomorrow...when it's your birthday there.

Back to NZ. Last night I found a delightful camp spot at the mouth of a river where fisherfolk came to fish. In the middle of the night? I heard a bit of car activity, but I was upstream from the point so most cars went on by. Except for one. I heard it stop. The engine turned off. Two car doors opened and slammed. Then silence. The back of my tent was to the road, so I couldn't see anything. And I didn't want to stick my head out to show myself, so I lay very still...and waited. Heard rustling. Is that near my tent? Is that the feral cat I saw? Is that someone taking a piss near my tent? Silence. But 2 doors and no voices. Weird. Silence. Waiting. Waiting. Shallow breathing. Should I get my knife? Nah. Finally. Car doors open. "Wait", someone says. Then the engine starts. And the car departs. Sigh. Sleep.

It was delightful by the river watching the sea birds swimming through the shallow water. Had Internet and power. Sent some emails. Etc. Hit the road at 11, 2 hours later than usual. What's my rush? I'll make Liz's house tomorrow. On schedule.

A ways down the road I decided to replace my Prince William Feather that protrudes from my bike seat like a flag.




When I stopped, Helen




pulled up and invited me in for tea. Never say No.

She knows and has documented her Maori history and was very eager to share it with me. I was likewise eager to hear it, but unable to retain the stories or the names. I did get a charming video of her reading a Maori woman's quote that always brings tears to her eyes. (Too bad I'm unable to post video through this app although it is suppose to be possible.)



Her daughter is suppose to be a marvelous singer and I plan on checking out her YouTube post.

Bag Lady



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Trail Magic in Opotiki

March 26 & 27, 2013
Rangitaiki River mouth tonight...Opotiki last night

Short but full day yesterday. Got to Opotiki just after noon. First real town in 10 days. OMG. OMG. What to do first. How about lunch and a charge up? Ok. I agree. (See how easy it is when you travel alone? No one ever disagrees with you or gives you any grief:))

Met Ann and Peter (at least I think her name was Ann...I didn't write it down so I'm feeling sheepish). A couple from Hamilton on holiday over here and biking around for the day.



I go inside to order and plug in and meet Del and Tony who had seen me on the road earlier. Brief conversation. Plug in phones. I go outside to eat with Ann and Peter. As Del is leaving, she stops by and offers a shower and laundry and gives me her address in town. Yippee! Laundry was most exciting as it had also been 10 days since the clothes had been washed...and I wear the same, exactly the same, clothes every dirty, sweaty day. Can't rinse them out because they won't dry overnight.

I then do my town chores of uploading some blog posts at the library, sending a postcard, groceries, and scouting through the outdoor store. All the while having little chats with folks.

Is it comfortable? Yes

How's it on the hills? Slow but easy.

Where ya from? Upstate NY...not the city.

Where have you come from? Hard to answer. I usually say Wellington.

Over and over and over and over. Feel like I should have a sheet to hand out, but I'd miss the energy exchange.

So later in the afternoon I show up at Del's. This is the house she grew up in! Her mom died last fall and she's been here for 6 months winding everything down and getting the house on the market. She and Tony live in Australia now...he's an Ozzie. She took me up to this domain or park with ancient trees, the puriri (if I remembered right). Over 2000 years old. Burial trees for the Maori. They'd put their dead ones bones in the large cavities at the base of the tree. Sacred space. Felt it too. I think I know more NZ trees than American. My head is spinning with knowledge. I can recognize the puhutikowa (didn't say I could spell them)... It's the red blossom tree at Xmas. They are enormous up here on the coast. And the ponga. It's the palm that the NZ emblem if a palm frond is from. I need a picture of that.

Invited to dinner, of course I said yes. But I'll camp in the yard and declined the offer of a bed. I love sleeping in my tent. Dinner was gourmet! Portobello mushrooms with an onion and something else topping, then grilled pork chops with orange, sweet potato spinach feta salad, and leeks and zucchini. Everything was mmmwwaa! My kind of food! And fresh stewed apples, blueberries, and yogurt dessert! I was in heaven!



Lots of talking and laughing...wine does that to me. After breakfast I hit the road and so did they, off for a beach hike with friends.



I knew there were hills on today's route. Every day's route. And I don't mind them at all. Just pedal and rest and pedal and rest. Kinda like I hike up hills:). I always get to the top. I have to say the one out of Ohope was a crank! Wooweee! Ohope had the longest empty beach I've seen. Had lunch down there with a sandwich Del made from the leftover salads. Yum! There was sun and wind and haze and islands in the distance. Pretty spot. Upscale homes. Back in modern NZ. East coast is a pleasant memory.

Tonight's view of the river mouth:


Earlier I heard ducks quacking. Very different from the usually sheep baaing or cows mooing.

In 2 days I'll be in Tauranga visiting Liz, Moa's sister-in-law, who I met at Christmas. A few days off the bike will feel good. Then I'm headed to the Coromandel Peninsula. More beaches, poor me.

NZ is oceans and beaches and ragged hills and mountains and volcanoes and bush and sheep and cows. Yup. That about sums it up. And trucks and campervans:)

Love you all!! And thanks for the wonderful notes of love and support. This blog is such a great way to stay connected. Thanks for making it a two way street.

To sleep to the sounds of the ocean...ahhhh!



Full moon from down under.

Blissful BagLady

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Busy People Day

March 25, 2013
Hawai, NZ

The first chat of the day was with Trevor



at the corner store. Actually there was a guy before Trevor but I didn't get his name or picture...oops...but what was memorable about him was he backed up his car to my trike and pondered fitting it in all before even asking if I wanted a lift:). I told him I biked because I liked it and I didn't need a lift to the next big town. But the hills are big! Good! says I. I love hills! And I do!

Then there was Helen



standing by the side of the road trying to get cell reception.

Later Maryanne



called to me from her yard as I passed. She drives 3.5 hours from Rotorua up here to a house she's fixing up that she moved her from Auckland. She gave me fresh tomatoes. Yum!

Then John



came hobbling over to the picnic table where I was lunching by the beach. He offered me some grapes for dessert so we went back to his place to cut them from the arbor. Jessie joined us and then I said Yes to the offer for coffee.

Gotta get going! Not getting anywhere today!

And there were hills! A big long climb. But they're so much easier on Blaze. No balance issue. Just pedal as slowly as the steepness requires. I think 99% of the cars waved, honked, or flashed headlights at me today:). I feel loved!!

Got told No Camping Here tonight after my tent was up. I didn't see a sign. It's over there. Ok. If I'd seen it I wouldn't have camped here. I had to look hard to find it. Not very obvious.
That's okay. Just 1/4 km down the road and a better spot!!



Using the Prince William Feather as a flag when I'm riding and a clothesline in the evening:)

Busted BagLady

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"Trike Girl"

March 24,
Hwy 35 Bay of Plenty, NZ

Norm and my reflection:


Alice, minister of sweet church that her Scottish grandfather built with kauri logs cut and hauled from the northland. She's Scottish-Maori.


John and Colleen I met when I stopped at a macadamia farm cafe, The Nut House. He's a photographer from Auckland and I hope to get a copy of the pic he took of me:)




Didnt get a picture of this: Deer with 8 points in road staring at me. But deer don't run wild here! Mind boggling, like a sign just for me.

Maggots. That's what Kiwis call the white campervans as they crawl around the South Island. Fitting!

Microwave oven mailboxes are everywhere on the East Cape.



Great recycling!

Second rainy cycling day. First was in January on South Island.

Lovely, rolling coastal ride with quiet little coves in all the dips. And a view of the steaming volcanic island off shore, White Island.



I ran into Norm on the road this morning and while we were biking and chatting, friends of his passed by. Then I turned off to checkout the historic church and he pedaled on. His friends were up the road and asked him "Looks like you didn't score with Trike Girl!" (Norm told me the story when he passed again going home. "So now there are rumors going around about us, Trike Girl!")

It's 8 pm and the last of the day's light is hanging on the horizon. And I'm sitting in my tent, drinking wine, listening to Rodriguez, dancing and crying. Solo travel can be quite lonely. Many hellos and quick goodbyes. I travel alone because I have no compatible travel mate. And maybe because its easier. I get what I think I want...every day. No compromises.

I sleep every night in a different place, with a different view...alone. The other night I was sick, a terrible bellyache. And I was out at the lighthouse. What would I do if I had an emergency in the middle of the night? Alone out here? I don't think about it because I don't know really. Wait until morning, I guess. I think that because I've been alone most of my adult life, I don't know what it's really like to be taken care of (except for a few years). I'm tough. Tough Cookie. I don't think there's really anything I can't toughen my way through. And maybe that's what I do alone in my tent out of habit now.

But crying feels so good sometimes...like being fragile and vulnerable, just for a brief moment. And maybe, as my daughter said, "Crying cleanses the soul." But oh wouldn't it be nice if there were someone who cared that I was crying? That someone who just holds you and the whole world feels better. Will I ever have that again? I sure hope so. Until then, I have to do both the crying and the holding. And I'll be all right. Another sip of wine...there...all better:). Turn up the music, dance while sitting down...party of one! There'll be more great hugs and parties of two and real connections...and until then a lot of hellos and goodbyes meeting incredible, amazing, giving people!!

Thanks for listening. I'm posting this slightly censored right from the heart. If I can't share this, why journal at all? It's all part of the journey. It ain't all smiles...just mostly!!

BagLady


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I Never Know What a Day Will Bring

March 23, 2013
Waihau Bay, NZ

Wet, cold, sandy start to this day. And does sand ever stick when it's wet. No drying out before I start. Have to do it later. And later never came.

Five miles in I pass a woman at the end of her driveway fiddling with her bike



and say some nebulous comment, as I usually do. We get to chatting, as usually happens. And we've got a lot of similar views, which happens here a lot. Then hubby comes running down the road having just finished his bike and run training sessions. He's got a marathon goal in a couple of months. Done quite a few...triathlons too.

What started as a quick hello turned into cup of tea, hubby checking my dereilleur, tour of the bush, lessons on identifying saplings, pottery shed tour and lunch!!! Four hours later I'm finally on the road having spent the most delightful and informative time with Glynis and Norm. They live off the grid and have for over 25 years. Solar energy, wood-heated water and space, water from the mountain creek. Idyllic lifestyle. I was envious:)

Lunch was skillet bread for open face sandwiches of grated carrot, with cooked mushrooms and tofu. Yum!!


Then tonight when I'm putting up my soggy tent as the sun is setting over this delightful cove, Karen pulls up. We chat. Then her daughter, a friend, a float (trailer) with horse aboard arrive. I get talked into moving to the friend's yard and SHOWER! That's how showers find me. I've stopped "searching" and am "finding". And I managed to get a sliver of a signal, enough to let Wayne know I'm alive:). (Folks worry about me for a bit after meeting me. I think my family is so over it!)

When I can take iphone photos of some of the pics on my camera, I'll put them in here. I've had to slow down a bit on the picture taking of people because I meet so many in a day. I was tiring myself out.

Nighty night.


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Furthest Point East

March 21 & 22, 2013

I'm really out of touch with folks. No cell reception so no contact with Kiwis that usually hear from me. And no wifi so no posts either. Just the way it is.

I decided that 12 miles out to the furthest point east was not too far to go for a side trip even if the road was 1/2 gravel. There was a lighthouse out there that one of my Maori guys from Gisborne said was a must see. That and the sunrise. So after getting some groceries in town, out I pedaled. I got groceries but forgot water. Oh well, I'm sure I can get done at the campground I'll pass. About halfway out a pickup going the other way stops to chat and I happen to ask about water. Don't think they have any. Do you? I ask. Yup. So I'm saved...again.

(I'm laying in my tent tonight with a GD bird making the most annoying repeating squeak for the last hour spoiling an otherwise delightful camp spot by a creek. I'm going after him right now!! Bird lovers, don't watch:). A few rocks thrown into the water displaced them for now. Peace!)

Now where was I? Oh ya, the ride out. Open range horses and cattle have the best coastal grazing spots along this road. And when I was almost all the way there, Paul (no photo, too bad, really cute Brit I'd met in town) stopped me to say "good news, I was almost there...bad news, the lighthouse was up 700 steps on a hill!"

I camped in the grass of the car park and planned to get up at 6 am to go up for the sunrise. But of a rough night. I was sick. Not a fun feeling when you're in the middle of nowhere really. There were some cars there although I hadn't heard anybody. Managed to sleep and whatever it was ran its course. Then there was the rain. Do I go up if its raining in the morning? Won't be much of a sunrise to see.

I did go. It was raining. And it was a spectacular sunrise!



(Please know that i have to take pics with camera and then take a pic of a pic to post to blog, now that power is at a premium.)

Happy birthday, Kevin. Couldn't call...no signal:(

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Kindness of the Kiwis Never Ceases to Amaze Me

March 17 & 18, 2013
Tokomaru Bay NZ

Yesterday I'm pedaling along, having finally severed the umbilical cord to Gisborne, and there's a bit of rain. Barely a sprinkle. And this pickup pulls up in front of me and this woman, June, jumps out of the passenger side. "It's raining!"

Ya, I'll be alright.

What if a deluge comes?

I'll still be all right. But I do appreciate you stopping.

Kindness right from the heart. She'd have taken me home if I let her:). She had the most beautiful chin and lip tattoo that my new picture taking motto allowed me to capture.

And again today. Blaze's back tire continues to have inflation issues so I had her stripped down on the side of the road. Actually the problem I was having was with the release and reconnection of the rear break cable. Could not get that sucker out of and then back into the hole. This time Wayne turned around to stop and help me. We got the cable lengthened enough for the problem to go away. Then he gave me the lowdown on Tokomaru Bay and camping in the beach and then offered to give me a tour in the morning. How sweet.

While setting up, Lyn


comes by with Foxy the dog and I not only got a shower but evening company and a glass of wine. And tomorrow I get to go with hubby, Mel, kayaking into the ocean while he pulls in his net!

What's not to love about New Zealand? Chatting with Ian last night at the campground I was at and we concurred with the amazing and startling kindness of Kiwis. Ian is French and staying here for a year.



Time for sleep, after I take another peak at the most amazing night sky I've seen in quite awhile!

Actually last night's sunset was pretty spectacular.



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Goldfish Farm

March 19 & 20, 2013

Wow! Days behind! Think I lost a post, yes, know I did.

Day off in Tokumaru Bay watching Mel retrieve his fish nets. Rough surf caused him to capsize a few times before he got out.




Later, Wayne (the rescuer when my bike brake cable wouldn't reassemble) gave me a tiki tour of the town: old freezer factory and wharf, a goldfish farm (way cool)



...those are tanks of goldfish -about 100 of them! And this is Stan, the goldfish farmer.



And then I got a tour of the boat that Wayne has been building for 23 years.


And not a little boat either! He says it may launch this year. I hope I get pictures when it does!
And here is Captain Wayne.



I managed to hit the road north the next day and with tailwinds and 2 flats actually went further than expected. While changing the first flat the cops, Reagan and Ben, stopped by to make sure I was okay.

"You're not going to camp by the side of the road, are you?"

"Oh, no! Not me! This road is too busy. I'll ask a farmer."

Later they pulled into the bar I was camped behind. Made it!

The second flat was a pinch flat. Because I'd been having several flats on the back in the same spot and unable to find the issue, I swapped out my foldable spare. I checked for punches, but must have missed it. The next morning I was able to find the culprit, a microscopic sliver of metal straight in...and I got it out! But the back tire is bald. I need to swap it with a front one. Ugh. That means changing 2 tires at once. Maybe in the morning.

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Kyle

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My Maori Motorcycle Gang Hosts

March 14, 2013
Gisborne, NZ




That's Kyle, Bas, and Rich, my Maori hosts for the night.

I met these guys when I stopped Rich and asked where the Outdoor Store was. Asked him also about camping spots and he invited me to camp behind this house they were remodeling. It's his cousin's, Kyle's.

So after moving the Harley Davidson bikes to make room for my tent, I set up to the background music of Bob Marley. Now I love the rasta music, but it went on steadily until 1 am. Hard on a biking girl.

And these guys love their beer. And when they ran out and need a reapply run, guess who got elected? I haven't ever driven I. The left, only biked. I only was on the wrong side of the road once, when I pulled out of the store parking lot. Bas says, "Thing ya best get to that side, Mate" pointing left.

And they served up a lamb, potatoes, pumpkin, spinach stew mostly from the garden on the side of the dilapidated, er rustic, house. But the shower worked so I was really happy.

Solar charger died. RIP. Emailed the maker but doubt I'll have much luck. Can't find anything reasonable except this tiny thing at the outdoor store. Don't know if I should try it. Think more panels are needed to really work. May have to limp from town to town from now on.

Got library wifi and lots to do so...toodles,



BagLady


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Bag Lady Doll

March 14, 2013
The side of SH 2 between Wairoa and Gisborne.

Woke up to the sounds of the ocean. Oh ya! Hope to hear a lot more of that these next 3 months. I wondered down to the beach having camped behind the dunes to meet ______ (didn't get his name) who was from Napier and slept miserably in his SUV last night to fish here this morning. While we were chatting along came Willy K, a delightful character. Wish I'd had my camera, but alas I did not. He's Maori and I'd guess my age. Beautiful caramel skin. White moustache. White dreadlocks piled on his head. And a mostly toothless grin. And he knows his local birds and their migration schedule. A jewel of a guy!

On down the road, I pull into a crossroads checking my map when Pete walks over.



"My brother's building one of those." Mullet haircut, tattoo'd everywhere I could see, but a kind voice and good energy. Checking out his tats, turns out 4 were the names of his kids. As we were talking, Ann buzzed by on her electric scooter. On her way back from the store she stopped and invited me in for coffee. Yes! So I followed her down the road. What a sight we were!!! I'd have loved a picture of us!



Ann is 77 and lives alone. She's scared to death someone from a gang of young hoodlums will harm her on a dare. And she said she makes dolls and sells them at a local craft shop. When she heard my name was BagLady, she said she had made a Bag Lady doll. Will you make me one? So she's going to, and sending it to Wellington. I didn't know what these dolls were like until I stopped down the road at the place that sells them. They're about 10" tall and quite sassy. I have to send her some funds for this doll. They sell for $40-50. All hand made. Can't wait to see BagLady. "She was an ugly doll, but you're not!"

Hot springs. Yup. Up in the tropical forest. Ahhh! And there I met Lloyd from Auckland, a landscaper on a mini vacation touring the East Cape because even though he's a Kiwi, he's never been here.



And a shower! $8 dip in the hot water and free shower:)

I forgot to water up. Rationing tonight. Luckily dinner was a salad, just like last night. And since I had the shower a couple if hours ago I don't need a sponge bath. Coffee in the am I hope.

I'm listening to The Omnivore's Dilemma. Wish I'd read this book when it first came out. What an eye opener about our food chain in the USA. And I thought I was knowledgable. Ignorant. Very ignorant. I think this should be required reading by everyone who eats. We all should understand where our food comes from and what's done to it all along the processing and delivery chain. It's a wonder any if us our healthy. Enough on that.

New malfunctioning equipment is my solar charger. I carry a Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel to charge my iPhones and iPod directly from the sun. And until today it was working magnificently! And with sun every day, I was hunky dory! Well, today my iPhones have decided to not accept its power and they shut off the connection. I also have a Guide 10 battery pack that recharges rechargeable batteries and holds power for charging stuff at night. That has not operated consistently for a year. They sent me a replacement in England, but it worked no better. I use the batteries in my headlamp and that's not bad, just have to change them frequently. It also charges my iPod well. But the iPhones...a big maybe. Sometimes they'll actually gain 30% of power before they close the connection. Goal Zero says the issue is Apple's. But they sell the charger saying it will charge the Apple devices. It's suppose to do my iPad to but that has never happened. I'm looking for a new portable solar charging device and if anyone has any suggestions please pass them along.




BL


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Too Much Attention

March 12, 2013
Whakaki Beach NZ



2 Swiss guys, one driving and one biking. (I'm also testing photo upload. )

Back to torments. (Haven't had many lately, so allow me a few...all seem to be the sane topic: Internet!)

Uploading pics is not happening. Even just a picture. Had to give it up. Don't know if its the app or the wifi connection. But it's terribly frustrating to sit outside the library for nearly an hour just trying to upload one day's post:
Publish Now
Posting...posting...posting
Upload failed. Problem with pics
Try again (learned sometimes it goes)
Try again
Try again
Delete photos
Try again
SUCCESS. (If you call uploading your blog without the pics "success")
Now make a blog page with just one pic
Publish Now
Failed
Try Again
Failed
Try Again
Success
Now the next picture....

Do ya get the picture (sic)??

Who has time or even inclination for that?

So many great photos of the wonderfully interesting people I've met along the way, now that I've stopped being afraid...and they'll have to stay on my iPhone. You can't see them. In fact. You can't see anything.

I've gotten to the state of attention overload. I can't get anything done because everyone wants to talk about Blaze. It's exhausting. I can see now why some of the long time travelers don't want to share with me about their journey. Been there. Done that.

One woman was Naida at the grocery store. Would post her picture here if I could. She must have told 6 people, everyone she passed in the store, what I was doing:). She was a delight. Wanted to buy me Chew Bars. How thoughtful.

Of course I don't think I'd like to be ignored either:(. Tough balance.

Yesterday it was kids. Pushy kids. Wanting to ride her. Not taking No. I just had to pedal away. But then they ran into me again in another part of town. (Small town.)

Even while I was on the phone, 2 different people were waiting for me to get off to talk to me. The boy gave up. The woman wanted to warn me, once again, how dangerous it was to Free Camp in this area because of some "undesirables". I get this warning daily. This East Coast is mostly Maori folks and that concept frightens some folks. I'm not worried although I wish the daily warnings would cease. This woman then suggested I either stay at the campground back in town (you can guess my answer to that) or cycle 15 kms up the road to this beach. That option sounded delightful except it was already nearly 6 and the sun sets about 7 ish and it would take me an hour plus to get there...and I had a soft tire that wasn't holding air. Hmmm? How's this all going to play out? Always an adventure. Last night was no exception.

Ok. Head to the beach. Sounds so nice. First gotta steep climb out of town. Grind my way slowly up watching daylight slip away. At the top, realize tire needs more air. And in the act of trying to inflate it, totally deflate it. Don't know if the pump is working right. Can't get it to stay locked on while pumping. arrghh! Lets change tubes to a new one. If course this is the back tire. Unlock brakes. Unlock quick release. (As I'm writing this, I have no recollection of locking the quick release last night when I reassembled everything. OMG! Did I bike with it not locked in? I've done stupider things. TBD).

Got the tire changed and pumped and ready to go. Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. Shit. This is a long ways for me. It's getting darker. Perhaps I should camp somewhere nearby. Ask a farmer? Nah. Keep pedaling. Check your map. 9 kms further. Put lights on. Getting darker. Keep pedaling. It will be worth it. Hey, this night biking is great. The cars go away. It's cooler. I should do this more often. Closer. Here's the village. There's the road. Gravel. Can't see dips. Down I go. There's a truck here. Can't see anything. Can't tent on sand. Won't hold. Find a spot behind dunes. Now I get to fix dinner in the dark with wimpy headlamps. And I realize that I never dried my tent today from last night's rain. Oh boy. What's that going to be like? Ah the joys of bike travel.

I got groceries in town. Too much as usual. Salad fixings! Yum! But my cutting board is also my foldable bowl. And my pot is boiling eggs right now. I sur could use another bowl. A big one for big salads or large batches of pasta when I make leftovers. Note to self: look for that.

BagLady

P.S. yup, 15 kms and back wheel NOT locked on. Thank you fairy godmother!!!


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Goodbye Pic

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Guinnea and Jo

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Eleanor and her daughters

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4 of the 5 pic

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Peter pic

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5 Cycle Tourists Under One Roof!

March 10, 2013
20 miles north of Napier, NZ

Ok, since this is about "travels and torments", hope no one minds if I vent a bit about BlogPress, the app I use to maintain my blog. I've lost a post. Arrghh. I wrote it. Had lots of good pictures. It was the 2nd day on the Gentle Annie road. When I tried and tried to upload it, it never went until I had deleted every picture out of it. Then, it popped up the Facebook connection, which is a good sign. And without ever asking me to Share, it popped to the "had posted successfully to you blog, do you want to view it?" And I always hit No. I was so happy to have it upload that I didn't think anything more about the fact the Facebook step wasn't correct. The next day I noticed nothing was in my mailbox. No blog post showing anywhere. La la land. So weird. So frustrating! Deep breath. Release. All is good.

So on Friday, the 8th I strolled into Napier...down hill gradually the whole day. Oh ya:). Since its a hoppening town, I checked out the campground. $44!!! Oh, special deal for me? $33!!! Are you kidding? How much for just a shower? $8!! Thanks but no thanks. I can't afford you. So I cycled in to the center of town and right out into the beach walk. I'm sitting there on Blaze, tapping away on my phone when Peter
(Photo deleted)
stops by to chat about my bike. I mention my dilemma and he reminds me about Warmshowers. com, the website for traveling cyclists to find hosts for the night. I never use it because I don't plan ahead and I want no commitments. Free spirit! Majorly! He had already mentioned that he and his partner tour and are heading out again this summer to Europe. He also said that if they weren't already hosting a young Belgium couple, they could put me up. Could I put my tent up in the yard? (If you don't ask, the answer is always No.). Sure! Plan on being there at 6 for dinner! Yippee!!! Trail magic strikes again!!!!!!! And who says this isn't an amazing world we live in?

With time to kill, I went to the library to get free wifi. And who do I meet there but Eleanor and her 3 daughters that she homeschools, Sariah, Triselle, and Trinity-True.
(Photo deleted)
This mom has a desire to bicycle tour with her girls! It all starts with a dream. You go! Eleanor! And let me know if I can help make it home true

the last 2 nights I slept in the herb garden at Peter and Lorna's delightful house. But better yet was the food. Lorna, amazing cook! Greek style roast lamb one night (photo deleted)
and fish stew the next. And an assortment of Peter's wines and Dutch wisdom:). Also staying were Tatiana and Matieu, from Begium. And I'm not sure I've spelled either name correctly. The energy at the table was wonderful. Everyone fed off the other. 5 touring cyclists I'm one place!


What fun! What stories! And I know we all stayed up too late and drank too much, but it was so worth it. 5 stars to Peter and Lorna as Warmshowers hosts!!! Muchly, muchly appreciated!!!
(And I have to make a point if checking Warmshowers out more.).

But all good things come to an end so we all said goodbye this morning.
(photo deleted)

And a short ways down the road, this group of young folks stop to talk.
(Photo Deleted)

They were off to go swimming on this Sunday.

Then pedaling up a mountain road I met Guinnea and Joe, 2 woman "3 sheets to the wind" and friendly and crazy as could be, taking a roadside break from driving with 3 kids in the car.
(photo deleted)
They did offer me a place to stay but I opted for peace and quiet tonight. Oh the wonderful people I meet continues to warm my heart.

So tonight's abode is a roadside park with a definite No Camping symbol. But there were no other options, so I'm taking the risk.
(Photo deleted

For whatever effin' reason, I can no longer post photos with my blog. So pissed off!!!

Grumpy BagLady



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LOL!

March 7, 2013
Another night on the Taihape Napier Rd.,
Hawkes Bay District, NZ

Whew! Lots of up ups and down downs downs through the Keweka Forest. Spectacular!

Met Adam



a Canadian from Nova Scotia here for 4 months riding his aunt's bike that he's rebuilding piece by piece.

And Norm


a hunting and fishing guide who stopped me to take my picture because "cyclists never do this road!"

I like taking people's pictures but I do it too fast and with the iPhone I can't adjust the exposure. Now I have to take good pictures of people:). Yes he was standing up on a bank.

My first LOL (literally) was when I had told myself at lunch I needed water before I stopped for the night...but I wasn't sure where I would find it in this forest. Could be a problem, I think. Pedal on, pedal on. Up and down. And what pops up right in front of my eyes?!


Really Universe??? Just like that you give me what I need? Is it that easy? I was rolling on the road over the hilarity of it. Hehehe!!!

Ok, 2nd LOL. I'm flying down one of the many downhills I had. This one was not tight and windy but open so I could let her rip a bit more...and what was that??? Did I just take out a bird???? I think it went under the bike, not flying and not on the road. Too fast to look back. I was laughing so hard I almost wet my pants:))). That was a first!!!

And tonight I'm camped in a Y in the road. Couple of houses and a daycare center here. And a lovely wide patch of "no man's land" where I like to camp.

Giggly BagLady had a fun day:)


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Farm Pics 3

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Farm Pics 2

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Farm Pics 1

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The Day Just Goy Better and Better

March 5, 2013
Taihape, NZ

Day started with chatting up a truckie named Phil who drove a tanker of flammable solvent. Learned lots about trucking in NZ. They must take a 30 minute break after 5.5 hours on the road. Forgot to do my photo of him. Oops.

Leisurely cycle into Taihape where I needed to desperately charge everything. No sun for one day and all my devices were depleted. So why not find a good breakfast while I charge. While sitting there, a woman comes onto the cafe and asks if she can talk about my bike. Love that Blaze! Such a conversation piece. Turns out Clare


is going to be up in Auckland for a bit so I have her number and we're going to try and connect when I get there. She leaves. Andy asks if he can sit at the end of this big table I've sequestered. Sure.



He is from Australia, works for a machinery company, traveled from Singapore to London by bus and met his Kiwi wife there.

Then after Skyping a friend and getting groceries, I met Winsom and Taz.



I have a great video of Taz describing her job in a wool shed sorting out the dirty wool. Winsom decided that the local paper needed to write an article about me so she called up Jocelyn.



Jocelyn was filling in as the reporter because the regular guy broke a couple of ribs in a motor accident. So Jocelyn did an interview for the Central Dustricts Times. (I'm hoping to get a copy of the article).

Now it's 5 pm and I'm just getting out of town. Decided to cycle this wonderfully scenic back road from Taihape to Napier on the east coast, then back to Taupo at the suggestion of a friend. Checking with locals, they agreed.

And as I pedaled out of town Jean passed me on the back road.



She asked me which road I was taking: gravel or sealed? After telling her sealed and she telling me about the serious hills before the next town, I changed to gravel and am I glad I did.

Off the gravel road when I found a wide side to the road, I set up my tent. A short bit later, John comes up in his 4 wheeler raising dust behind.



"Can I camp here?"

"Well, I gotta muster a couple of mobs of sheep up the road and some cattle back down. I think it'll be all right. I don't think they'll run over your tent. Wanna come along?"

"Do I!!!!"

So I got ride shotgun for an hour or so, up and down the road as he and his 2 dogs moved the sheep and cows. I was in my element! A grin from ear to ear! Filthy from holding sheep in the ATV that couldn't walk and muddy dogs jumping on me for their ride back to the barn! Oh ya! Gotta live NZ!!!

(Photos wouldn't post. Will try posting them separately )



Yee haw!!! Life on the farm!

Farmer BagLady:)


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