Do Nothing Day

May 24th and 25th
Warkworth NZ

Yesterday was the perfect day in a beautiful spot to do absolutely NOTHING! I camped at Goat Island Campground, up the steepest hill I've done in NZ: gravel and pine straw...ouch! But the place and the view and the price were worth it. "Technically we're closed but since you came up that hill how about $10?" (Usually $20.). There was an outdoor club from one of the local high schools there and the first thing the teacher I met told me was "Lock your bike." No, I haven't in 6 months and I'm not starting now. Besides I don't have a lock with me...it's in Wellington because I never use it. The kids were fine...just having a good time. I put up a bit away from them and Blaze was untouched.

(It's raining while I write this in the dark of the tent. Should I be concerned that several larges drops have landed on my hand? This tent seems impossible to seal!)

So the view:





And down by the shoreline:



And the cute caravans painted up and set up with beds like little cabins (something done a lot here):







And sunrise this morning. When you go to sleep at 8, it's easy to catch it:)



Tonight I'm having strong flashbacks again to my trip last summer through Europe. Raining and I'm camped in a town park tucked out of the way. Like many a night then:)

I like moving as slowly as I've been. I think I did 20 kms today. Not really sure. Hung out at a little market chatting as usual.

Did have a close call with an oncoming car that was passing. No shoulder so I'm in my 1/3 of the road. There's not room for 3 abreast but he seems to think there is. I took to the ditch. Really? Do you have to scare me like that? Brought me to tears. I've heard daily about the bad NZ drivers and after 6 months I'm just beginning to believe them:/. Tailgating (which doesn't really affect me, but could) is probably the worst thing they do. They're usually lucky if the have one car length between cars at 60 mph. Even behind a logging truck. If he hits his breaks, they'll be toothpicks! Enough thinking about that.

I have 40 kms to the ferry to Auckland and technically the trip is done:( But I'm thinking of going with Blaze over to Waiheke Island for a few days. I hear its nice and I have the time. I hope the weather cooperates a bit. Yesterday was gorgeous, but today was very grey with the rain luckily holding off until tonight. I always appreciate that. Temps are high 50's to low 60's days and low 50's nights. So far, so good with my sleeping bag.

Back to my book,

B@gL@dy

P.S. Goat Island name was given to a lot of islands that only goats could live on because they have no fresh water source. Supposedly in days of yore goats were let loose on these islands so anyone shipwrecked would have food. This particular Goat Island never had goats on it. So there ya go!


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