Island Life

May 28 - 30, 2013
Waiheke Island

Arriving onto the island on a rainy day, I was delighted to find smiling Doug and his one room bach...a warm, dry place to crash never looked so good. I was able to change out of my pj's on the ferry so I felt a bit more together. I realized that when traveling in a fragile way (like hiking and biking are) and when your gear is in shambles, it's a bit unsettling. I have to remember TRUST. It will all be okay. My biggest fear is to be on the side of the road, no place to camp and everything's all wet. That's a nightmare! But everything works out. And today was an example. Take a deep breath and just GO WITH THE FLOW.

So I took over Doug's place hanging a bear line and getting my stuff set out to dry. The day was miserable outside: rain and wind and then hail! Doug was out for the afternoon so I chilled and dried everything with a space heater. My ability to live rustic pays off here. Outdoor shower. Toilets in park next door. Cooking on camp stove. No heat source except a space heater. Pretty basic. One one block from the beach!

Yesterday I took off for a tiki tour of the island. Quite hilly! Always concerned about getting too far away and the sun setting before I get home, so I stayed on the western half. Lovely bays with old boats moored. And more beautiful beaches. I just wanted to sit and read and write for awhile.




And Blaze enjoyed the view too:




Back at the bach, Doug cooked up a delicious dinner of mince, pumpkin, kumura, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, onion, and seasoning. Yum!


And today I've had the place to myself. Busy trying to figure out the next couple of days.

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All Soggy

May 27 - 28, 2013
Gulf Harbor to Auckland NZ


Heather was a treat to meet. This woman drives and repairs a 1947 truck camper! There was actually a little community living in the ferry parking lot: Brian in a proper campervan, Lilly in her car, and Heather. There's a publication when you join the Campervan Association that tells you about all the free camping spots, as well as other info. Good to know!

Just took this pic of the sunrise as I ferry into Auckland.




Just spent a challenging night camped by the ferry with heavy rain and gale force winds. Packing in the dark this morning with everything all wet was not fun. The bottom of the tent was puddles. I'm sitting here I'm my tattered marino long johns and shorts over them to cover the hole in the butt. Everything is just jammed into the panniers chaotically! I feel out of control and its not a good feeling. Couldn't find things this morning when packing, but I scoured the spot before I left so they've got to be in there somewhere. Landing in a major city in shambles doesn't feel right. Hope I can find a bathroom, find some dry clothes and get dressed.

The day has just begun:)

Oh, should explain. I cycled down to the ferry yesterday only to find it only runs in the morning Mon & Tues. (it was Mon). That's when I met Heather...taking a picture of her camper. What a sweetheart she was! Even came over this morning with hot tea for me while I packed up:).



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Last 15 kms

May 27th
Orewa Beach, NZ

Down to my last 15 kms. There'll be some local biking, around Waiheke Island and Auckland, but the tour itself will be over:(. I'm not ready for that. My legs and heart and lungs will go through withdrawal. I love pedaling all day not knowing what's around the next bend in the road nor where I'll sleep that night. Why is that? Haven't a clue.

Lots of coastal hills yesterday. But we managed:). Slowly...lots of granny stops... Up we go.

I've tried to calculate how far I've gone in NZ. My computer jumped ship at Cape Reinga. Is that a deep message? It had about 2000 miles on it. That's about 3500 kms. Add another 1000 kms I'd say because it started counting in Wanaka, South Island when a new battery was put in at a bike shop and the tweet didn't check the mileage count before I pulled the old one. So for giggles and grins, lets say 4500 kms in NZ. That's 2700 miles in 5 months. Love it! Then there's the SE Asia part and I'd have to check Sylvia's journal for that piece.

Got to to marina for the Gulf Harbor into Auckland Center and found out I should have checked a ferry schedule...or better remembered the one I did check: no ferry Monday afternoons! Oops. Have to camp out here and take the 7 am ferry.

Interesting community


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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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John's Bach and the View

May 21 and 22, 2013
Leigh, NZ

Hmmm? Let me think. The days are running together. I forget where I camped. Been doing this too long, I guess:).

And I posted several posts today and I never checked to see that they were finished. Too bad. You get what you get. My head just seems to be spinning. And it's tired of writing...tapping out the tales of my life on this tiny keyboard with my thumbs. Tired, do you hear:))!!!!

I met the sweetest guy, Lex, by the side of the road out walking "his" dog. He's just taken a new job working for his aunt's lodge in Waipu Cove. The dog is hers. The dog's in trouble. If he gets out two more times, the Dept of Conservation (DoC) will put the dog down. Lex is trying to bond with him. When I come back, he'll put me up at the lodge for free just to hear my stories.



While sitting by the side of the road talking about the law if attraction and how I want go meet a lover who'll bike the world with me (I think I do)...up the hill walks this guy, John. He'd passed us and parked at the bottom of the hill waiting to talk
with me when I came down. I didn't come, so he walked up. A couple of years ago he'd cycled the circumference of Australia with a buddy. His parents had some property near here even though he and they lived in Australia. When Lex asked where and John explained, Lex said the view from there would be amazing!

I agreed to meet him at the bottom. Lex laughed after John left...law of attraction! He might invite you home:). We joked about it. Aw...he's probably married...they all are. He was cute, though!



It was a long hill he'd climbed. Impressive! The beach at the bottom, Lang's beach was breathtaking and I didn't get one photo. (Been quite lax these days getting pictures. )

So John and I chatted and he did invite me back to his bach. So glad I went! The view was to die for!






While he took care of some business, he suggested I hike over to


to see



The hike itself was quite strenuous



But I found out I'm fitter than I thought I was! Pitter pattered right up those hills:)

In the morning John was the proud hunter with his possum catch



The driveway up to that phenomenal view was long and steep...and of course, gravel. Blaze got another lift:)




BagLady


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Thru Hikers on the Te Araroa

May 20, 2013
Waipu Cove, NZ

A few days ago I met a couple that had hiked the Te Araroa. They dropped off 180 miles short of completing it because there was just too much road walking on the North Island. When we met, they were in a car and stopped to see if I needed help. I was having my lunch by the side of the road. Low and behold, they were from Tennessee and had hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2011. Country Mouse and Shadow. We must have passed an hour or more yakking. They tried Blaze and loved her. Such kindred spirits. We'll connect again, for sure.
Then today I meet another nobo (north bound) thru hiker: Scott. He's been following Country Mouse and Shadow the whole way. He almost cried when I told him they were off the trail. He's a fast hiker and been out 6 weeks less than CM and S. he was trying to catch them. I hopefully have been able to hook the three of them up in cyberspace since I had everyone's contact info. Very cool! Way to go Country Mouse, Shadow, and Scott! Impressive accomplishment!!!








I think what I learned from them is just do the South Island. Very remote. Very beautiful. Mostly in the wilderness.

Love hikers!!

And tonight I'm in the most expensive campground yet ($20) with the least facilities (no lounge or place to sit indoors)...but still had trail magic. I went and chatted with the neighbors, Jeff and Debbie from Oz, and got invited for dinner. An Aussie meal, they said:). Beef stew. Hope you're not a vegetarian. Not while I travel. And not when I visit folks. Nope. I eat most anything!

Life is good,

BagLady

Have to say it felt really, really good to be back on my trike! And on the flat with a tailwind!! We flew today. Whoa, Blaze! We have much time and not much distance to go. Gotta slow down!


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Michael and Carol

May 16-19, 2013
Whangerai, NZ

Where do the days go? How did it get to be the 19th of May already? I have a post for May 13 - 15th that lost its pics so I have to rebuild it. So that means 6 days? Well I've been cycling down the east coast of the Northland to get to Whangerai. It's hilly up here. Up or down. Only 2 choices. Good thing these legs are powerful pumping machines now! Amazing views of the water when the road swept towards a bay.



And with my new approach to finding a campsite (asking locals if I can camp in their yard) and I get a bed...it was raining:/...dinner, shower, breakfast! Thanks Wendy and Dougal!!! I also camped behind a marae (with permission) and it had power, picnic table, and hot running water. Sweet as!

I met Michael and Carol beside the road in late Feb and they offered to host me when I got to Whangerai. So I texted them a few days before to say I was getting close. The day I cycled in here (2 days ago) it was miserable out.



Pouring down rain. Cycling a major roadway with tons of traffic. Really nervous about being seen. Trucks whipping by. So glad to know I had a warm dry bed at the end of the day:). See sometimes I like sleeping inside! When I arrived, Michael said grab some dry clothes and escorted me straight to the shower while he made me some tea. Just what I needed. Then we shared stories about hiking the Himalaya! He's been up to the Everest Valley 10 times and knows it like the back if his hand. He has mountain pictures on every wall. Lots to share.

Here we are checking out Michael's favorite beach. It was out quite a ways down a very windy road and I made the mistake of sitting in the backseat. ( I thought we weren't going far.). Speed on top of motion sickness really gave my head a buzz. As soon as I spoke up, the situation was rectified...but I already was a bit woozy.










Michael and Carol, thank you for a fun and relaxing weekend. Loved meeting your friends too! Adds so much to the richness of my journey.

BagLady



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Waitangi Treaty House

May 13 - 15, 2013
East coast, Bay of Islands NZ

I've been working my way over and down the east coast of the Northland. Days are all alike now. Pedaling. Rolling hills. Bush and pasture. Grey water. Meeting lots of people wherever I stop...or if the stop me. Met this guy who pulled me over on the side of the road to show me a picture on his phone of the trike he built from plans online and old bike parts. Nice job, Roger. I especially like the aqua seat!




And, I went to the Waitangi Treaty House where the treaty between England and the Maori chiefs was signed in 1840 in the hope of bringing some peace and order to the islands for both sides. I did the full shebang: cultural experience and tour. Loved it!









Bag Lady

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Moving slowly

May 19, 2013
Whangarei, NZ

Quick note to say all is okay. Just behind in posting. Been hanging with new friends all weekend and haven't caught up on posts. 3 weeks left. Gonna be a busy time. I'll try and get caught up tomorrow night:)


BagLady

More pictures are posted at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/104890875270597877610

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Some Days it's Nice to Do Nothing

May 12, 2013
Kerikeri, NZ

Got a tour of the "lifestyle" farm Steve and Michelle live on. Steve says they're called "lifestyle" cause when you move here hour lifestyle goes to hell. I've seen the term used quite a lot here. Lifestyle block is a gentleman's 5 acre farm. Lifestyle business is what you do to afford to live on the lifestyle block in rural NZ. Raise animals. Have a cafe. Farm goldfish...that was the best !

I got to see rabbits this morning. Michelle started raising them in December for food. She's got a buck and 2 does. And about 18 babies from 3 different litters...one just born 2 days ago...they looked like little rats, all pink with no hair. (No pics because my camera was way up the driveway on my bike.). The first litter was in last night's stew. I couldn't have eaten it. Really hard to do when you see their faces.

A couple hours pedal this morning and I got to this nice lively town of Kerikeri and its farmers market. Crusty bread. Micro greens. Tomato. Beans. Cuke. Yum! Guess what's for dinner!! SALAD!!!!

Since it is Mothers Day and the roads are crazy, decided to get a campsite and just hang out in the sunshine. Some days it's nice to do nothing. This is one of those days. It's lovely here by a beautiful creek. The road out tomorrow will kill me because it was down, down, down. Ugh that's tomorrow's problem. Today I read, rest, relax. Life is good!


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