The Time Had Come, So Marvin Went.

March 3, 2013
Hunterville



A nice rest on Manaia. Town chores done. Hectic schedule for Bruce right now and he's done a marvelous job of hosting this crazy American woman...and it's time to move on. After a 2 hour lift by Bruce back up to Bulls, I was back on the road.

Hadn't gone 2 feet down the road and I was approached by a truckee that wanted to take my picture. He wanted to send it to Mike Avery. Now this is not the first time I've heard of this guy. If you'll recall when I was cycling over near New Plymouth some people stopped me on the road thinking I was he (or is that him? Being a grammar buff I hate not to know.). This truckee, Stan, gave me Mike's wife's cell number so I should call him up. He's a kiwi who cycled in 2010 from Bluff in the south to Cape Reinga in the north on a recumbent trike. Stan said he's planning to cycle across Australia this summer starting in August. Through the outback.

Pedal, pedal, pedal. Wonder where I am. Pull off the road into a V intersection to check my map. Oh no! Police car! No helmet on! Nailed! It's stopping here! They're getting out! One has equipment. Is that a speed gun? But we're not moving. What's he doing? Hi. What's up? We're filming a TV show for NZ about cops and strange characters. Can we interview you? I'm on my bike with my umbrella up trying to keep my head covered. After asking me a ton of questions about my gear and my trip, the filmer asks the cop "Are you going to say something about the helmet?" The cop shakes his head and then asks, "What's the helmet protecting?" I wished I'd thought to say, my wallet! But I explained my rationale that I can't fall on my head from a trike and that if a truck hits me, it'll be all over anyways...no helmet will save me. Nothing more was said. Whew!! Then they filmed me cycling away. A bit down the road I stopped to check a campsite and post about the cops on Facebook. While there, the cop car comes back. "You all right?" Ya, why? "He's hot his camera all set up ahead to film you coming down the road." Oops!





So I'm still trying to find out the TV show. It's on channel 1. That's all I know. And I won't air until the end of the year.

So I pedal on looking for a campsite and nothing a ways off the road is appearing. I do not want to listen to trucks all night. Please. Maybe I'll find something in the next town. Yup. Plenty of different spots. As I'm scoping out one a car pulls up and the lady says you can camp on the lawn behind the hotel. Flush toilet and shower. I'm there! It's the lawn the dog pees on by all the brown spots but I can't say anything it will do. And a bit later the delightful Irish woman I met at the grocery store shows up out the back of the bar where she's having a smoke. Anastasia. Been in NZ 4 years. And her inquisitive son, Darrough (but I may not have that right...please let me know) who asked me for my autograph. That's a first. So flattered me. I gave him my last biker card. (I do need to get more made up soon.)

We chatted quite a bit. It's been hard for him to be away from his Nana for the last 5 yrs...half of his life. He asked some great questions about my traveling and what it's like. Kudos to you, Darrough for such a wondering mind. Keep wonder and asking! It was dark and I didn't get a picture of this delightful mum and son, but I will remember them.

Bashful BagLady.

(Need to feel less shy about taking pictures of people...good thing to work on these next few days. )


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