Road Weary

April 29, 2013
Omapere, NZ

I've gotten behind in my journaling. I think I'm feeling road weary. I can keep pedaling, but seem to be tired of all the other parts of traveling: the food shopping, the blogging, the picture taking.

And given my poor memory, I'm not sure what I'll recall. One wonderful night was deep in the kauri forest at a lookout. So dark. So quiet. Utter joy! Then in the morning when my back tweaked, I thought what would I do if I put my back out so far from anything. Wait until someone showed up, I guess. But a few spinal waves (yoga cat and cows) and it was all better:).

View from the lookout:



I got there from a recommendation from locals, but I was a bit concerned cycling a long ways down a gravel (or as they say here, metal) road. Luckily I could continue down in the morning and didn't have to climb out. It's staying in remote places like that that I feel most serene. Magical place. But in the morning I heard this whoosh. A big bird flew in and landed. Then cockadoodle do. Rooster? Really? What a pesty bird it was harassing me all morning while I did chores, dried gear, and cleaned my chain. Maybe it wasn't a chicken but a special NZ bird, for all I knew...someone suggested to me.

Looking back through my photos jars my memory. I stopped at the Kauri Museum. The biggest slats of wood! Enormous logs!



Breakfast of apple, yogurt, and muesli by the side of the road. Standing up using the back if the bike as a table.



View from a bridge in the kauri forest. So beautiful.




And then there are the kauri trees! In the middle of woods with trees of all sizes, you turn a corner and a humongous tree appears:



With these stats:





I'm currently camped at a hostel. My second night. Delightful place. Met an amazing woman from England (actually the town my trike comes from:)) who is doing her first trip. Wild woman, Mandy! She spent 5 months in a very Aboriginal area (northwest) of Australia because she wanted an aboriginal experience. And it came to her. She knows about the Universe delivering and trusting. We've agreed to hook up for a backpacking adventure some time, some place. It will happen.

Today we did a coastal walk, plopped ourselves down in the deep grass and shared our stories with an amazing connection. What magic meeting her was!

Quiet afternoon doing laundry, reading, and napping. Just what I needed. In 2 days I'll be meeting up with the rest of the Maori family on a marae up north. Can't wait!

I'm scraping the bottom of the food bags. I'm out of bread because it went moldy. The gas station in town had nothing I wanted to give them my money for. So I made lentil stew with feta cheese. Quite tasty. I have an apple, an orange, a square inch of chocolate and some ginger snaps. There's always ramen noodles, mushroom soup packets, 2 hard boiled eggs, milk powder, macadamia nuts, honey, and butter (but nothing to put them on except maybe a block if ramen noodles...hmmm?). And yogurt and muesli for breakfast:)!!

BagLady




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Rugby Club

April 26, 2013
Dargaville NZ

Yesterday I titled my post "Crazy Yank" and then forgot to say why. That's how the 3 Aussie couples lovingly referred to me:). I hope to be able to stay in touch and reconnect when I cycle Australia...whenever that is.

Uneventful day for you. For me I talked to one of my daughters but Skype was herky jerky so it was challenging.

Camped tonight in the side yard of a Rugby Club. Always a good spot:)

Heading into the kauri forests and there'll be hills ahead I've been told. I love the challenge:)




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Crazy Yank

April 25, 2013
Ruawai, NZ

The countryside here looks a lot like upstate NY with its rolling green hills. The only thing that makes me realize I'm in NZ are the palm trees and Toi Tois (like the plant on my bike).




Stopped by the Kauri Museum today. Kauris are giant trees much like our redwoods. But many of them were cut down by the early settlers. I'll see some of the big boys when I get further north. They've even found trees buried in swamps still preserved after 45,000 years. The other thing was the sap of the kauri, called gum, and harvested out of the swamps for turpentine and other uses. Today it's a polished stone called amber and used in jewelry mostly.

Tonight I pulled into town and found a green patch near some johns. I needed to find a wind block because I was tired if being hammered all afternoon. Three campervans were parked there, so I asked if the minded if I cozied up with them. They're Aussies. Been interesting learning a bit more about Oz. Did you know they have intense gun control laws? They must be licensed and only the licensed individual can have access to the locked up firearms. And they must be locked up and hidden away. No gun racks in the back of trucks.

As I've been traveling this tour, people are always giving me tokens. Someone asked why I carried these trinkets and I said because they come with good energies for a safe journey.

Some examples are:

Necklace from around a Maori woman's neck
Metal snowflake
Medallion
Business pen
Laminated photo
Poem
Religious writings
Chocolate bar. Here, take this. I didn't know why I bought it, but now I do:)

And I'm sure there are more but I can't remember them.

BagLady


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April 24, 2013
Brynderwyn, NZ

Hilly terrain. Avg 25 miles a day and that's at 5.5 mph. Add the changing weather: rain, sun, wind, clouds, and calm. I can't decided to wear a jacket or not, use the umbrella or not.

Last night I camped on Council land in front of a farm. Met Virginia, the farmer, who offered me a shower and coffee in the morning. I'll take the coffee. (A shower's wasted in the morning...just going to sweat it off in 15 minutes down the road.). Then I met the neighbor, Althea, who was dropping off her daughter to ride Virginia's horses. Horses? Horses? She also gave me some tomatoes from Virginia that went into my lentil stew for dinner. Yum! And Althea brought over some trail bars later...I love how food just finds me:)

This morning I shared coffee with Virginia and David, the other farmer. They had farm chores up attend to so it was a quick visit, but I did get to feed the horses:).

Yes, challenging terrain with these here hills. Add to that weather that can't decide what to do. Fall in NZ. Yet I'm told it's still milder than usual. It can keep that up. Oh ya, and it's dark by 6:00 so I have to quit earlier or eat in the dark. But tonight as I lay in my tent with the wind whipping outside causing quite a breeze through here, I'm happy. I love being outside. On my bike. In my tent. At a picnic table. Sitting in a field or on the side of the road. Outside. That's what all this is about. I've finally figured it out:)

Today's Eggs Benedict:







Off to sleep my 11 hours!

BagLady

P.S. was doing so well, then I seem to have lost my little knife:(. And then today...what's that noise? Didn't stop. There it is again...oh no! My iPod is bouncing on the pavement at the end of my earbuds. The on/off button isn't working...but I've figured a workaround. When it's asleep, it wakes up if I attach it to a power source..then I can change songs or whatever..then it goes asleep again. Learning to accept everything: the good with the bad.

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A Weekend with the Sumiches

April 19 - 21
Henderson NZ

In the morning, Corie and Sonya, 2 women out for a walk through the park stop by to chat and the next thing I know, I'm invited to Corie's house to use the wifi to see if I can get my iphone activated after the unlock. Great.

Warren, the center manager also stopped over to chat. Turns out he had seen me on the Scenic Drive last night and called one if his staff at the center telling them to let me camp there. How sweet is that?

So I pedaled back down the road to Corie's house. But it was down, down, down. And I must admit I thought about not going. This is crazy. I should just go to town. When I checked my map and realized I could cycle forward past Corie's house to get to town, I kept going. I thought I'd only be here for an hour or so. Then I was invited for the night. That would help because the phone was going to be another 24 hours before being unlocked. Then John, Corie's husband invited me to go with him on a bush hike on Sunday. Sure if you don't mind if I stay until Monday. No worries.

What a wonderful weekend off the bike. Luncheon with girlfriends, birthday dinner with 8 friends at a winery


, shopping at a garden center, planting the buys in the garden, the bush hike rebaiting poison stations


, and Sunday dinner with the the 2 gramma's, daughter Kim and her boyfriend Nick. A full yet relaxing weekend doing "normal" things and meeting wonderful friends.

Thank you, Sumiches for a delightful weekend of laughs and relaxation...and good eats!




BagLady

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Cycling through Auckland

April 17 & 18, 2013
Auckland NZ

I headed out from the Goldswain's to exactly where I didn't know. I'm cycling through a city and camping is a challenge, as you can expect. Looking at maps, I decided to stay to the west side and out of the center city. I had spied a scout camp on the water and figured that would be a good option. So that's where I headed.

But first, I'm having technology issues that I have to resolve so off to the village to figure things out. The Telecom guy said I could probably get my 4s phone unlocked. Really? Not for $180? So I went down to see Faris and for $70 he said he could get my under contract iphone unlocked. Ok. Lets do it. It will take about 24 hours. I had real positive vibes about this guy's integrity. But I'll be up the road a bit if there's a problem. Well just trust, I told myself. But I also needed to find wifi to activate it and west Auckland libraries don't have free wifi (I found out later). That would pose another issue.

Back to biking north. Very congested area with busy roads and lots of commercial properties. And hilly! Oh well. About 5ish I find the scout camp with some nice places to camp, but lots of Private Property signs. Found some parents who couldn't authorize me and the scout meeting wasn't until 6:30. Too late to be hanging around. Lets see if I can find something else. Quite a woodsy neighborhood with a dense park across the way. A pedestrian I asked said go around the corner down to Green Bay. Ok. I head over there but the walkway to the beach was too steep to cycle back up. That won't work. Will I just trespass on the scout land? Then David shows up curious about my trike.

Know a place I could camp?

Sure, my yard! Just 2 doors up.

Camp spot, wine, hors d'oeuvres, shower, laundry, brake adjustment, and free wifi. Love the serendipity:).

Next day I hit a bike shop at David's suggestion to see about my brakes. Pads looked good. Minor adjustments. I continue on. Next destination is Arataki info center on the Scenic Drive through the Waitakere Ranges. There's a tent symbol on my map so I'm hoping I can camp there. I've been warned that the road is hilly, narrow and twisty. Ok. So what else is new? I get to the center and see a sign about self-contained vehicles only. Dang! Plenty of grass space. Lets see what unfolds. I park Blaze and climb up to the gallery. A park ranger meets me.

Is that your bike downstairs?
Yup.
A woman just called us wanting us to tell you that this road is too dangerous and you need to turn around.
I smile. I appreciate her caring about me but I've cycle thousands of kms on worse roads than this. I take care and watch the traffic, pulling over as needed. I'll be all right. But I do need to talk with you about where I can camp.

We're self-contained only.

Any suggestions where I could go? (Good to put the problem on them:))

Looking at a map, her suggestions were further than I could cycle before dark.

Can't I camp here?

We'll have to get permission. She then turns to her colleague who says, she can camp here. Sweet, again. Picnic tables and a bathroom. And a park to roam. All for $6. I'll take it.



A delightful evening stroll through the native bush with plant labels. Just what I need. Manuka tree that I've been seeing and hearing about for weeks is Tea Tree. So that's the healthy oil they get out. And I learned that the silver underneath of the Pongo frond the Maoris used the lay in the pathway for lighting.

Later a running club came swarming into the parking lot around dark. Jonathan was insistent that I cycle out to Piha tomorrow. After much deliberation I decided I didn't need to go that far to see another beautiful coast.



This woman was a street/sidewalk cleaner. She traveled on her scooter with a trash can on the back and picked up litter with a long grabby thing then tossed them into the can. Hey, it works!


BagLady



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Maori Family

April14, 15 & 16, 2013
Papakura, NZ
I took a zero day at Kawakawa Bay where I chilled, cleaned my bike chain, repaired my broken rear fender, took a walk and met the neighbors, Graham & Jeanette and Derek & Kay. G & J

were a delightful retired couple who opened their home to me for a shower or a sleep. I took them up on the shower, but I love sleeping in my tent:). Got to meet granddaughter, Caitlin, too. She's quite the artist and poet, I must say! Also met D & K who have a place next door, but still live in Auckland. They offered to put me up before my flight home in June. And also store Blaze while I fly back to Wellington for a few days at this trip's end. Amazing how it all works out, isn't it?
The following day, as I'm packing up, G & J come strolling by and offer me breakfast. How sweet is that? Of course I take them up on it! Yum!! But finally I have to break away, in the rain, and head down the road...or rather, up the hill! I don't mind the rain. It's the wind I don't like. Especially when I can't use my umbrella. And the rain forces better parking spots when I hit a town because if I'm not under cover when I get off the bike, the seat gets SOAKED! Not fun to sit back down and have the back and butt sopping wet. I like to usually find a dairy (think corner store) to get a snack and take a break. One with shelter preferred on a rainy day.
Delightful ride of 30 kms took me only a couple of hours. And I had plans to stay at Yvonne's house, the woman I met at the campground a few days ago.
So here I've been for a couple of days enjoying this loving family of Nana, her daughter, Nicola, Nicola's Dutch husband, Liam...and 2 granddaughters, Astra and Stella and grandson, Jaedyn. Plus 2 dogs. And lots of love!

When I awoke to a leaky tent this morning, Nicola suggested I stay over and fix the problem. So I did.
After much running around, I finally figured out to reseal the tent with silicone, paint thinner and a brush. Seems to have worked well:)
BagLady
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iPhone Issues

April 18, 2013
Auckland, NZ

I'm having some iPhone issues that I hope to get resolved:/. Old phone with NZ SIM card died again. Was told I could get 4s unlocked for $70. Going that route, but till waiting to see if it happens. Of course, the computer shop doing it is 30 kms behind me and I'm not going back, but he did say call if things didn't work. This is the stuff that makes me nervous. Losing connection and information. Technology when it doesn't work smoothly. But I'm keeping positive and not panicking. Yup! I am!

Also going to get my brakes looked at. May need brake pad replacements.

How am I doing this, you ask? With my ipad on wifi. Both phones are down.

Last night as I was trying to find a place in Auckland to camp...love a challenge!...David cycled over to check out Blaze.

Do you know where I could camp around here?

My yard!







And just like that I had not only a place to put up my tent, but shower, laundry, snacks, wine, and good company. When Annette came home she was bushed and excused herself...not up to company. Oh, I understand how hard a drop-in overnight guest could be when you're not up to it. I sometimes don't want to stay at someone's yard because I'm not up to being social. Getting better at it though, with practice.
No worries, Annette...David was charming and hospitable.

Older posts are on my iPhone so I'll post them when it's operable.
BagLady




BagLady

More pictures are posted at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/104890875270597877610

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Rough Morning

April 13, 2013
Kawakawa, NZ



Dropped my already broken, only NZ phone numbers iPhone and now it has no screen. It makes noises like when it's connected to charge...don't know if I get phone calls or texts...can't answer it if I did:/. There's many phone numbers that are only in there. People I want to hook up with now that I'm up north. If you're reading this and we need to connect, please email me:

thebaglady07@gmail.com.

That's my only means of communicating now. And that's only when I get to a library. I'm going to see if a Mac repairer can fix it. The only other option is to unlock my newer iphone and put the SIM card in there. I don't know where the data is being stored. I've taken a lot of deep breaths and decided it will all work out for the best. Tis what it is. Nothing majorly critical. Worse things could happen, but we won't even put any energy into that thought.

Then, when I get back to the tent that I specifically returned to as I was leaving it for the kitchen this morning...returned to be sure I zipped the mesh because there was a feral cat messing with my food. When I get back, the tent is moving. Someone's in there! OMG! You know the cartoons when a cat is stuck in a bag or box? Jumping out in all directions! Can't find his way out! Not funny! And yet FUNNY! He bursts out and runs. Looks like I never zipped it. Oh, ADD brain, quit failing me when I need you!

He seems to have torn the mesh a bit. I have to buy Moa a new tent anyways. I'll have been in this over 5 months. He deserves a new one. I'll have to duct tape the tears. But it's past bug season so no worries there.

At the campground, in the hot pool, I met Yvonne, a beautiful Maori woman, and her grandchildren. We shared our stories. We crossed paths later at the showers and I walked the young girls home. And later we met again in the kitchen. She asked if I had stayed on a marae. No, but I want to. I'm jousting waiting for the opportunity to come to me. It will when it's time. And now it has. Up north. Her ex-husband, Steve, and his wife. I have the info where to go. She also blessed my Maori necklace because I had bought it for myself.



In the morning I captured this picture of Yvonne, daughter Zara, son in law James, and her 4 grandchildren...not all belonging to Zara and James, she was quick to correct. Steve is Zara's dad.

Yesterday's ride took me along the Seabird Coast, along the Firtg of Thames. So serene. I stopped at a migratory shorebird sanctuary. I'm not a bird person. Meaning I don't know my birds, not meaning I don't live birds. I can't identify any other than heron really. There were big birds and small birds. Birds with long legs and short legs. Long necks on some. Grey ones and white ones. I enjoyed watching them. New Zealand is bird heaven. Before the introduction of mammals to the islands, they had no predators. I sure wish some if my birding friends were here to enjoy them and teach me more. I've often struggled and had to accept my ignorance about flora, fauna, and other knowledge of our natural world. It wasn't my education and I find that even though I make an effort to learn these facts but I have no retention. Just doesn't stick. So I enjoy nature sensorily without concern for facts. I absorb it through my skin and not my mind. Does that make sense? Besides the names were given to them, they didn't come that way!

After my camping challenges on the Coromandel, I've been a bit gun shy about wild camping. Last night I biked I to Kawakawa Bay and decided to ask some locals out walking their dog where I could camp. This is a new approach for me. Right along the shore. We often see tents there. There's johns there too. Or our backyard. Needing some quiet, I took the shore. While fixing dinner, before the tent was up, Graham comes walking over. Where ya gonna camp? Nervously I answered, right here. Smilingly he said, you're welcome to sleep in our campervan parked at our house. It may be cold tonight. How sweet. That's ver kind but I'm happiest In my wee tent. It's my bedroom. I'll be all right. It's very safe here he tells me and we welcome travelers. Yippee!

So this is the next morning. Another beautiful morning as I sit in the sun on a bench and watch the tide seep in. Thought I'd mess with my broken phone a bit more. Maybe try to charge it anyway hopeful that when I can get it to a repair shop they'll be able to fix it or at least get the data off. I'd heard a text come in last night, but if course couldn't read it. Black screen. So I plugged it into the solar charger and whatdoyaknow...a little ape appeared!!! It was booting up and I could SEE it! I'm saved! Quickly I pulled the important phone numbers off of it!

Today's Side of the Road Face is Kelly.




Forgive the quality. Pic of a pic. She's in front of the house she just bought. Lots of work to be done inside and out but it has fruit trees and high ceilings with great woid. She's an elementary school teacher and an artist. And she invited me in for tea. Of course I said Yes.

BagLady



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Gear List

April 12, 2013
Miranda NZ

Getting spoiled staying at campgrounds. Seems to ease the factor of early sunsets and cold nights. Got kitchen and shower and hot tub tonight.

Also people :). Met this amazing Maori woman, Yvonne, who blessed my Maori necklace (since I bought it myself) and also is going to hook me up to stay on a marae up in the Far North. A marae is a Maori community center for lack of any other definition. I've been wanting to stay at one, but knew the opportunity had to come to me. That's how I flow.

I've been asked by a reader to list my gear that I'm taking, like I did my food. Since I'm snuggled in my tent, I'll do it from memory for now. I have 2 yellow panniers on my rear rack and 2 pods that hang off the seat. I have a seat pocket, a rack sack, and various items tied on. Also a belly pack.

Coffee mug in cup holder
Camera in mesh pencil case gear tied onto front boom
Bandanna flag on 8 gauge NZ wire
Bike headlamp on headstrap tied to seat back
Pee rag bandanna tied to seat back
Helmet hooked on seat back and hidden under gear bags
Umbrella hanging from # 8 wire/flag
Hawaiian sari folded on seat to prevent chaffing
Solar charger hooked in back sack

Seat pocket:
Pad and pen in ziplock
Rag picked up by side of road for next chain cleaning
Tool bag: 3 tire irons, 2 Allen wrenches, a flat wrench
2 bottles of chain lube (old and new)
Disposable gloves


Left pod:
fuel canister
Pot
Backpacking stove
Olive oil
Vinegar
Peanut butter
Jam
Empty plastic bottle for soaking lentils
2 water bottles (one with sipper spout for drinking at night)

Right pod:
Water bladder and drinking tube
Charging bag: outlet adapter, power strip, 2 Apple plugs and cords, spare earbuds, Apple camera kit for iPad, camera cord, rechargeable batteries 3 sets and Goal Zero battery pack
Foldable tire
2 extra long bungie cords
Portable tire pump
Bear line for hanging clothes
Spare inner tubes
Bike lock...hardly, if ever, used

Right pannier:
Ziplock of clothes detergent
Clothes:
1 pair nylon pants
1 pair nylon capris
2 t shirts (only need 1)
3 undies
2 bras
2 sports bra (one is Marino wool, I just bought and is too hot for this menopausal power surging woman:))
2 tops with built-in bras (only 1 needed for off the bike)
Lightweight crop top to cover risqué top with too much boob exposure...got in NZ...need to rethink tops...not happy with choices
1 pair shorts
bikini
1 silk boxers
1 cycling skirt (with boxers:))
1 cycling top, ultralight mesh
1 buff
1 wool cap
1 pair lightweight gloves
1 pair rain mitts
1 long sleeve hooded zip shirt/jacket. (Like design...needs to be bigger)
1 nylon long jacket just got. Classy. Doubles as bathrobe. Got it to replace above shirt/jacket but not ready to give it up.
1 fleece hoody
1 heavy rain jacket. The North Face. HyVent. Great in bike!
2 pairs wool socks.
Stuff sack for clothes.
Ziplock with detergent
iPad
Spare reading glasses
Towel

Toiletries:
Shampoo, conditioner, dr Bonners soap in bottle, sunscreen, deodorant (used rarely), vitamin A ointment to heal chapped lips (works great!), nail polish (color matches bike skirt:))56333333233, vitamin E capsules for oil, bar of goat milk soap (gift from Del), Aveeno lotion, baggie of Q tips, baggie of cotton balls, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, razor, stimudents, hair pick, bandanna for washing, small towel.

Repair bag: couple of Velcro straps, natural sleep aid, seam grip, liquid laundry pkts, extra stimudents, extra razor blades, norfloxacin tablets, band aids, lots of ibuprofen, Imodium, anti motion tablets, neosporin pkts, duct tape, safety pins, clean cotton rag, Vicodin tablets, and pepto bismal tablets. Note to self, bring more duct tape:). Never enough.


Left pannier:
Straps for shipping box or putting bike on car
Large pack liner for bedding:
sleeping bag (Montbell Ultralight Super Stretch #7...good to 50*)
sleeping pad
merino wool long johns top and bottom (cold weather jammies)
nylon tank top and nylon shorts (warm weather jammies)
silk liner
Pillow case with sheep's wool loose inside
Plastic gallon bag with watercolor book, paints, brushes, and pen
Plastic gallon bag with current paperback and any maps and tour guides and headlamp and extra batteries.
Plastic gallon bag with pee bottle and baggie of toilet paper.
Plastic gallon baggie with copies of passport and other documents.

Rear sack:
Tent
Flip flops
Fry pan
Yoga travel mat (useful for dry seating as well as yoga)
Windscreen for stove
Large plastic bag for covering bike seat at night from rain or dew

Small backpack holds most of food and hangs on seat post. Also foldable bowl, spork, and folding knife.

Belly pack: wallet, 2 iPhones (old uses NZ SIMM card and new has apps and wifi), iPod, passport, pencil, folding brush/mirror, lip block, eyeglass rags, can opener earbuds, and various little treasures collected.

OMG! Sure reads like a lot of stuff, but it packs up nicely and I feel flush.

BagLady










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Oh, My Aching Legs!

April 10, 2013
Manaia, NZ

(This town has the same name as Bruce's boat:))

My day started out with a lecture from a cop about the helmet law. She pulled me over with lights and siren! Busted!! "You can take it off down the road, but I'll be in the clear as long as you leave my area with it on. "

Five minutes later it was removed. It gives me such a head and neck ache. Hurts thinking about it. Oh well. She's just doing her job. People in NZ have so much fear. Afraid of the narrow roads and bad drivers. Not an issue for me. Afraid of the dangerous men making it unsafe to camp. My only issue is with cops and councilmen. They're the only ones that bother me at night.

Today I cycled over the toughest hill yet in NZ. OMG! My legs are still pooped. It took me nearly 3 hours to climb a couple of miles. So freakin' steep! Pedal. Rest. Pedal. Rest. Pedal. Rest. Up and up and up. Then this evening as I was looking for a place to camp, I get another climb for about an hour when I was already spent. Poor legs. They work so hard. But I still say its easier to climb hills on Blaze because I don't have to unclip or put my feet down. Sometimes I just rest for less than a minute. Heart recovers pretty fast. Then I push on. All the waves and beeps help to:))

So tonight I was concerned about where I was going to camp. This coast seems less hassled. There are no signs about No Freedom Camping like I saw on the other side. But I still want to sleep in peace. And I said I need to get over my shyness about asking people if I can sleep in their yard. So that's what I did tonight. I saw this truck pull into this house with lots of yard space and Bob, a Maori man, said Yes! So I'm nestled in the yard near the black piglets running free and dogs in cages and an old blue pickup truck. But it's a mowed yard and I'm not "camped illegally". This is the only way around the issue. So I guess it will force me to get over my shyness!




And today's faces are of Christine, a shop clerk who sold me a cute windbreaker, and her daughter, Sunny.




Busted BagLady


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Markus & Marina

April 8 & 9, 2013
Coromandel Peninsula



I have to say this area has been my least favorite area to tour. The negative energy spoils the amazing beauty for me. I have never seen so many NO signs with so many empty, wonderful places to enjoy the scenery. Look but don't touch. Drive by but don't stay. I can't wait to get out of here. If the Northland is the same way I'm not sure where I'll head. Perhaps back to the South Island for the last month. Most of the people are just as fabulous and perhaps I'll find they'll let me camp on their properties. For the past 2 nights I've been in campgrounds just to avoid the hassle.

Yesterday morning as I was passing through Tairua, Marina waved at me from her picnic table where she and Markus were breakfasting, so I pedaled over.



They are car camping in NZ but backpacking around the world for a year. We both were headed to Hotwater Beach so I said that I would see them there and took off. I had a couple of hours ride and this peninsula is HILLY! So we met up and played at Hotwater Beach where the sand is sitting over 2 thermals and for 3-4 hours while the tide is low you can dig your own hot tub.


Fun!

Then they said they were going to Cathedral Cove. I was headed that way but didn't expect to see them again, so said goodbye. I got to Hahei and to save myself grief and to get a shower, I booked into the campground. Then I decided to cycle to Cathedral Cove. Up and up. So steep was the road. My legs are like steel and as fat as speed skater's thigh. They can muscle up anything. What a freaking grind! And when I went around another bend and so the road still climbing, I was ready to quit. I stopped to chat with Karen



who is Canadian and has lived here a year. She's bumming around now before leaving. She said it wasn't anything special so I quit the climbing and chatted with her. While I'm standing there kibitzing, guess who comes along? Markus & Marina! They talk me in to taking my bike back to the campground and we'll go so the cove together.



Well worth it! So glad they convinced me to join them. Then they came to the campground too for the night. Nice having their delightful company over dinner. And they keep feeding me fruit every time we sit together. So sweet!

I headed out early this morning. Trying to make some miles if that's possible. Today I had a short ferry ride over to Whitianga.



Meanwhile, Marcus & Marina had to drive around as this was only a passenger ferry... so I never expected to see them again. We had said our goodbyes.

But low and behold, who should pass me as I'm cycling out of town? Yup! M&M!! Always nice to see familiar faces. We had really connected so it was good to see them again.

When I caught up to where they had stopped for a snack and a rest, I parked Blaze and hopped in their van for a tour of Black Jack Rd out to a cape. Amazing views and then a sunset to die for!



We then moved on down the road and spent the night in another campground. The painful part is there are so many perfect freedom camping spots all over this place. Oh well. Tis what it is.

Some of the amazing faces of today. John I met as I stopped to take a picture of his milk can mailbox and we chatted for over half an hour mostly about American politics.



Another man by the side of the road. Can't recall his name.




And then there was Monique, Billy and Lulu on their way home from dance class. Love the kids. These guys got the last of the stretchy bracelets I brought to share with children. I had 50 of them!




And last is Francine (I think:/) and her daughter, Tanya. They asked if they could take my picture because they'd seem me on the road every day for about 4 days now:)).

BagLady


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Ramblings

April 6 & 7, 2013
Taurus, NZ

The Coromandel Peninsula is turning out to be as hilly as I was told. Don't mind the hills but its slowing down an already slow lady. Green craggy hills, some shaved and green with pasture grasses, some treed with planted pine. Then when the harvest the pine, they desecrate the hillside. Eventually replanting it with pine. But I've been told by a guy who's son works for the Forest Service, that care is not taken with all the byproduct of felling trees and it clogs the streams. Everything is bliss is this country...just a lot is:)

Rain. While eating dinner. Before the tent was up. Not good. I was camped in a questionable spot. Someone's "front lawn". Picture a long winding driveway up a hill with an open gate and fencing, and a mowed patch on the roadside of the fence. Yup. Had my name on it. Especially after looking for nearly an hour. I need to get braver and cycle up one of these long driveways and ASK. My next new behavior modification. I'm taking people's pics easily. Now I need to approach houses. (i'm shy...and I think I'm also tired and really don't want to be social then...)

Back to last night. By the time I packed up dinner and got the tent up and my gear inside I was soaked and a lot of water came in with me. Add to that, the temp dropped to around 40-45* I'd guess by how cold I was and all the condensation made for rain inside the tent. Wet bag, wet clothes, wet mat, wet everything.

Packed it up all wet and went to the beach in Whangamata. (Darling town although I only cycled through it. Trying not to stop and spend money in every town and besides, it's Sunday and most shops are closed.)

But the beach was beautiful and some sun came out. Ya have to wait awhile for it to be a really drying sun. Too early and too cloudy and it takes longer. Met a couple there that are Kiwis living in Hawaii (Kawaii) and usually come back every summer to NZ. They own a paddleboard shop there. That's something I should have tried here. Need a wet suit now.

Up and down. Lots of hills. Slow going. Beautiful views. Lots of time. Just worried about dropping temps at night. Don't have much more to wear:/. We'll see how tonight goes. I may have to think about buying a fleece liner. Where will I pack that?, I wonder.

Tonight I'm going to make a list of every bit of food I have with me. And it's a lot!! Always fear running out. Was a bit low at Tanners Point. Like to be ready for an extra day here or there.

Side bag:
Extra virgin olive oil
Vinegar
Peanut butter
Jam
Lemonade crystals
Canned tomatoes

Right pannier:
Can of tuna
2 pkts of "Jet Planes" jelly candies (they were on sale)
Bag of lentils
Jar of local honey...a gift from Del

Left pannier:
Tub of butter
Bag of coffee, sugar, dried creamer
Mashed potato flakes
Whole wheat pasta
Tea bags
Parmesan cheese
Cheddar cheese

White plastic bag on side bar:
Bread
Doritos
Girl Scout cookies
1/2 head of cauliflower. (Tonight's dinner)
2 mandarin oranges...gift from Karen
2 feijoas...gift from Lorelei today
2 avocados
5 small tomatoes
8 small plums...now 7:)

Now my feed bag:
Dates
4 raw eggs
300 ml of yogurt
Bag of Jet Planes...remember? On sale!
Mac & cheese
Mayo
Muesli
Dark chocolate bar
Mixed nuts
Red pepper
2 cup containers of microwaveable brown rice
100 ml of white wine
Cumin
Salt
Kelp seasoning. Gift from Del
10 crackers
3 hard kiwifruit
3 pkts cream of mushroom soup
Whole milk powder
Chocolate pudding
Garlic

OMG! Not starving any time soon!!! Always nice to have options on what to eat. Tonight it's cauliflower and Parmesan cheese. Maybe I'll finish off the pudding pack for dessert.

We came off daylight savings today and I didn't switch my watch because I know what time the sun sets and what time I need to quit and make camp and what time to get up and get going...and I don't want to mess up. My cycling days are shrinking. Something I didn't think about. I may get upwards of 12 hours of sleep a night now. Besides reading and journaling, play Sudoku on my iphone if it has enough juice, there's not much to do after dark. And dark will be 6:30 tonight I think, new time. Guess I'll be we'll rested. Mornings are hard because its cold and wet out. Hate to start before the sun's well up in the sky and warmed things up a bit. I think the easy days are over. More challenges ahead. But I like challenges. Raises the rewards!!!

Goodnight,

BagLady




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"No Camping!"

April 4 & 5 , 2013
Waihi Beach, NZ



Sleeping
Reading
Swimming
Walking
Talking
Painting

Lovely way to spend a day on a quiet little bay. Two night limit. Besides. I needed to keep moving north.

There's a chill in the night air and the leaves are smelling dry. Love autumn! Can't wait to experience one in NZ.

I'm heading up the east coast if the Coromandel peninsula. I hope folks are using this opportunity to familiarize themselves with New Zealand. I often do that when I follow other cyclists blogs. If you type the location I give you on any particular day into Google Maps...voila! I know I'm not writing much of a travelogue, describing the scenery, etc. This is "my" journal so you just get what I want to write about:). Power of the pen!

I'm following a main State Highway 2 and its quite busy and noisy. Hopefully, when I pass through Waihi today and pick up 25, things will quiet down.

Yesterday I met a German couple that have been on the road 2 years and cycled here from home...through India. I love hearing how couples handle the difference in cycling paces. This couple meets up in town. Yesterday Robert stopped to take a swim at the beach while Sabine continued on to town. He's so much stronger that he catches up easily. They also love mountain climbing with ropes and everything. So instead of carrying that gear, they find a central town to stay at for 6 weeks and have their gear shipped to them. Then before moving on, ship it home to Mom. Costly but far easier than carrying it and you get Your Stuff.



At the suggestion of a local, I cycled out to the tip of the peninsula to camp last night. There was a parking lot, johns, picnic tables and folks with campervans set up. Seeing no camping signs, including campervans, I chatted with some people and found out it had been recently opened to self-contained vehicles. (Those upscale rigs with bathrooms and grey water tanks.). But there's a bathroom here! Well I decided to risk it. Didn't want to bike back. It was after 5 pm.

Found a spot, set up, was cooking up some lentils for dinner and chatting with Karen



when a cop car pulls up. "No camping," he tells me ever so nicely and with the sweetest smile. This is the country of gentle cops! I convinced him to let me stay until morning. Sweet!

I share my dinner with Karen, then tuck away for a night's sleep. Janine comes by calling "Girls!" Just me. She wonders about the cop and am I alright. I believe she was wondering why I was still there. Not safe way over here away from everybody. Give me a break! I am so tired of hearing about not being safe. I'm fine!!! Don't even put that thought into the Universe, please. She leaves and then...

About 9 pm, a representative from the District Council shows up and wakes me. "No Camping! I got a call and have to respond. The cop didn't have authorization to let me stay. Where you go is your problem, Love."

Flashbacks are happening! Am I in Holland? I think Janine called 111 to complain about me.

As I pack, the rain comes back. I cycle away having no clue where I'm going. I'm not going to the campground, that much I know. I'm getting wetter. There was a spot I'd noticed on my way out by a car park and on the water. Lets see if any cars are there. Nope. Look at this...I can set up behind this huge flax plant. This should be fine. In fact, better than where I was:)

And even though I took down and set up the tent in the rain, I've managed to get warm and dry inside...just a slight bit of mopping.

This morning, the locals who told me about going there stopped me on the road. They'd been down to the point for a swim and heard about my fiasco...and felt bad. But I was fine. Everything seems to work out. Just need to obey the signs and not camp near folks. Lesson learned.

BagLady



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Silence

April 3rd, 2013
Tanners Point, NZ

I finally broke away from Tauranga and Liz's wonderful home and company. It wasn't easy but the day had to come. I was gobbling up all her data allotted in wifi, poor girl. She had to cut me off:). Wifi is so costly down here and not unlimited. I should have known because of all the trouble I have getting it while on the road. It had a favorable outcome though: when she called up to see what could be done, they gave her 3x her old plan for $5 less a month!

The road today was so busy, so noisy, so exhausting! I have this busy section before things will quiet down again. I much prefer just the logging trucks and an occasional car to all this traffic. A few honks and cheers helped my mood.

As delightful as staying in a house always is (and it was fabulous!), I'm happiest on the road, on the move, sleeping and eating outdoors. I don't know why. Even as a child I played living in the woods:). I have to find my "indoor/outdoor living" place. That's a term I thought I coined, but it's used frequently down here. Another thing I have in common with Kiwi Land!

Tonight I rode down a road towards the coast and found a civilized launch park with a parking lot, toilets, and a lawn for me. A couple of campervans are here too. Lorraine already stopped by and introduced himself. No photo.

But I did have lunch with Bruce (not Boat Boy Bruce:)), that I met when I stopped for something to eat.



So we shared a table and conversation about bikes and touring. He's a retired teacher that loves teaching kids to swim and play the recorder because it makes the kids feel good.

It's so so quiet here. You could here a pin drop. This is a bay so there are no waves lapping. And there's no wind. Silence. Necessary after this crazy, noisy day.

I'm off to start a new book. April Fool's Day by Bruce Courtenay, one of my favorite writers.

Beddy-By BagLady


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Pics from Tauranga

Liz and house (forgive the quality...pic of a pic)




Girl and dad from jazz festival:




Group playing:



Too busy relaxing and enjoying to take many photos.


BagLady



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Easter in Tauranga

March 29 - April 2, 2013
Tauranga, NZ
Liz, Moa's sister-in-law, whom I met at Christmas in Wellington, graciously offered to put me up (to put up with me) when I got north to Tauranga. And I didn't know when that would be exactly. But I called her a few days out and gave her Thurs or Fri.
I arrived Friday.
And getting off the bike for a long weekend has been an incredible treat. So has meeting her girlfriends! Friday night it was dinner at Bet's with us and Sally. Good cooking and girlfriends!! Doesn't get much better! And I forgot to get pics:/. Guess I'm on holiday too.
Saturday we ran around downtown at the annual jazz festival and did a bit of shopping. Yup! New marino wool sports bra and a new inflatable ExPed sleeping pad. Tired of sore hips and several blowups during night. Treating myself. Got the demo at a discount. Their version of a NeoAir. Got my fingers crossed because I had no luck with the latter.
Tauranga has a beautiful downtown section right on the water and the rain held off. So it all worked out. Sunday we were down there again with two more girlfriends, Judy and Gail. Lunch, girl talk, and jazz...oh ya!! I've enjoyed the opportunity to be "one of the girls" in NZ. Thank you for including me!
And today was a tour of Mt. Maunganui, the Mtn and the town...and lunch on the strand. Quaint place. Cute shops. Delightful views.
Liz has been the sweetest host, treating me like a princess!
BagLady
More pictures are posted at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/104890875270597877610
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