Cows

Feb 10th
Patea, NZ



Highlight of today was this herd of steers. When I see them laying down close to the road, I know they'll all stand up if I stay nearby, so I act like I'm directing them. "Ok, you guys! Everybody up!" And I signal for them to rise. And they do! Then they start to come towards me, curious as hell. Today was extra fun because this herd of about 20-30 just kept moving. First they got scared and they start heading to the right. Then they stop and watch me. Then they start going to the left. Then stop and turn. Then walked closer. Then darted running directly away. "But wait! Why are you leaving?" The stopped and turn and started running towards me. I was rolling on the road laughing. They kept me entertained for 15-20 minutes I'll bet. You had to see them! I wished I'd had a video. Back and forth they went. It was fun to watch the herd mentality. No one was a leader. And all the time you'd a thought I had voice control over them! Ok. So I'm easily amused:). Or hard up for entertainment! I played with some horses a bit today but they just spook. Some are more curious than others.

Headwinds was the word of the day. Powerful ones! Took me one long day to do 30 miles. But I can sure feel myself getting stronger and stronger. I was trucking up some hills!

Had my first pissy driver today. Wide open road. Only car. And he lays on the horn. Really? I'm in your way? How can that be?

I have had a lot more hello honks and waves here on the North Island than I did down south. I like it! Cheers me up. Makes me feel wanted. Most people who've seen me on the road and then meet me in town think Blaze is hard to bike. The other common comment is "You must be fit!" I suppose I am. Feels good to exercise hard every day.

I'm in the cutest, emptiest campground tonight with only 2 old men and me. But it's in a small hamlet where the Patea River meets the Tasman Sea. And oh, the sunset was marvelous! And I got to take a shower, wash my clothes, and cook dinner in a kitchen...all for $10. Not bad.


Goodnight,
BL




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Pies

Feb 9th
Wanganui, North Island NZ

I've found I love pies. I've always loved Swanson Chicken Pot Pie especially as a kid. Well, they're everywhere here. What a concept! All baked little pies, meat or veggie, grab and go! Usually about $4. Flakey. Tasty. Cheap.



Not a particularly interesting day. Pedaled up. Pedaled down.

But dinner was good though: ramen noodles, tuna, onion, mayo cold salad with sautéed green beans and cauliflower and fresh parm. Yum!

That couple, Tom and Shiela, that I met a couple of days ago asked me about free camping spots and how I find them. "No Man's Land," I said. And tonight that's particularly true. My one requirement tonight was: not within hearing distance of the main road. I need quiet. So I turned off Rte 3 onto a side road, then onto a side off of that. And I'm camped on the wide edge just past the shoulder. One woman went by and waved:). Guess I'm not freaking the neighbors out. There are some rural homes sorta in site. I almost camped right in town at the large park where I cooked dinner. Woulda worked, I'm sure. There was also a large dog obedience campus someone walking suggested to me, but I worried about pee and poop and early dog walkers. Another option was the Quaker Settlement the same guy suggested. I rode in but couldn't find anyone to ask and there were signs of lots of people (cars) so I opted not to just set up. I've never asked permission...just forgiveness:)

The bewitching hour has arrived.

Goodnight.

Bewitched BagLady


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Feb 10, 2013
Hawera, New Zealand

Walking on the black sand beach with a local started my day. Barry, the camp host, asked me to knock when I was heading out to the beach this morning. So I did. And I got the tour. There are 3 houses that were buried in the cliff many years ago by a tsunami. There was the hull of a ship the capsized in the 1930's. we didn't go all the way down (because the tide was coming in) to the whale carcass. Then Barry gave me a photo he had taken of the shore during a storm. And then I was off.

Forecast, rain late in day. Ugh.

Got into town. Got to chatting. Checked out a local museum. Finally started down the road. I had no energy. And there were headwinds...again. Which means, no umbrella. Which means, no shade. I stopped noon ish to take a nap but before I could put my head down, a couple of cycle tourists that I had seen fly by in town pull over. We share the usual info. Olivier had lots of interest in Blaze. They'd been on the road for over 3 years. Real cycle tourists!!! Not just the wanna-be's like me:). There gear was weathered. They had a lot of unique items like the mint plant potted and riding on the front fender.


And they were loaded!











And they really wanted me to bike with them even when I said I was so slow. So off we went. And I kept up...mostly. They are very loaded so that slowed them down.

The best was dumpster diving with them! I'd forgotten about that free food source. And we hit it big behind a gas station: 10 or more meat pies, a loaf of Vogel bread (the good stuff), and muffins and sandwiches. What a haul!

The guy came over asking what we were doing and Olivier, with his exuberance and French accent said, saving a part of the starving world with good food thrown away.

Tonight we're camped in a cow pasture, plops included...just no cows. Olivier asked a farmer. They also just went up to a house for water at the end of the day. I don't usually ask. And I carry water from the bathroom in town. Love learning new ways.

They're hustling north. They plan to spend 6 months sailing the Pacific on a boat somehow, then off to Australia in Sept. More years planned for the road. Got to ask them how they find doing this.

They shared a delicious dinner that Nadege fixed of lentils and onions and cumin. And lamb they got from the guy that took them in last night. Yum! And fresh herbal tea.

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