4-12-17
We got lucky with the first flight on Singapore airlines as we had 3 eats between us so we could stretch out a little and the second flight Air NZ we had pre-booked seats by the emergency exit so we had plenty of room to stretch our legs out. Still did not sleep much and watched plenty of rubbish films. I chose not to drink any alcohol during the flights this time, unlike before and I do not feels as jet lagged as last time. We sailed through customs and did not have to wait long for John who picked us up from the airport. We had an interesting drive back to John's as there were loads of night time road works going on, so it took over an hour instead of 30 mins to get to Browns Bay.
5-12-17
Marcia slept well but I didn't my body clock is rebelling, I feel a lot better than I did last time I came to NZ and definitely think the no drinking on the flight has helped. John was off to work at the crack of a sparrows fart this morning and we were also up reasonably early. I road in to town on the bike early to get it's WOF done so we could get ourselves mobile but the guy who does motorbikes was't in until 1 o'clock so I came back and we took a walk into town and along the beach, came back and had a snack and a lie down before heading back on the bike for its WOF. It only just passed as the front fork seal was weeping slightly and the head light adjustment was out. I tried explaining that two up with luggage the headlight was fine and was treated to a stern lecture on the rules, I chose not to argue with mr jobsworth and he did agree to pass it in the end. We then rode in to Albany to try and get a sim card for my NZ phone only to find as it has not been used for so long the phone company has locked it and they were unable to help and he managed to delete all my contacts in the process, I have gone through all the old messages and I think I have recovered most of the contacts from my last trip to NZ.
Had a panic moment when I realised that I had forgot to pack the NZ maps for my satnav but then remembered I had bought them online and was able to download them again from Garmin. It would not have been that bigger deal but I have got so used to using them I am happier with rather than without.
6-12-17
We decided to day to set off to Paihia (pie here) as our body clocks still haven’t adjusted we were up early, once loaded we headed in to town to try and sort out my NZ phone that had been locked as I had not used it. Ended up with the sales guy deleting my NZ contacts and not getting it working either. To say that I am a tad annoyed with is putting it mildly. I was unable to put an NZ Sim in my phone but we managed to fit one in Marcia’s so at least we have a useable phone. Not sure what time we set off but the weather was scorching so it was good to get moving. The bike was not good last time I used it and two up it was very interesting to ride but after about the first 50 miles I had got to grips with it. It does make me wonder how people who do round the would trips on things like a C90 step though Honda cope, as we were ready for a rest after every 50 miles. Not like my usual 200 mile non stop to Cornwall on the BMW. I don’t think it helps that we are jet lagged and I was coming down with a cold. Once here we checked in to a backpackers lodge.
7-12-17
Felt a bit rough this morning but at least I slept well ish. We were planning on renting a couple of mountain bikes but we decided that a snotty nose and cycling in this heat was a bad idea so we had a lazy morning on the beach, bought a few provisions and booked a 4 hour cruise around the Bay of Islands. It was supposed to be smooth as a milL pond but was actually the opposite and Marcia was regretting suggesting it. We did get to see some dolphins Swimming around the boat.
We are not sure what to do tomorrow we are just going to see how I feel as my nose is running like a fireman’s hose so really don’t feel like sticking my head inside a motorcycle helmet for five hours. Bought some sudafed capsules but they haven’t done much. I am regretting leaving my laptop at Johns at least if I had that with me I could edit and up load videos and pictures.
But then again I forgot how poor the WIFI is here in NZ if they offer free WIFI it’s usually too slow to be of any use so we were quite Glad that with each ticket for the cruise came with 1GB of WIFI each.
8-12-17
Still feeling rough so we had a lazy day, a morning on the beach followed by a ferry trip across the Bay to Russell. Once back at the back packers lodge we were treated to a very loud group of Builders out on their works Christmas doo. Two mini buss loads of them all very loud and very drunk. But a friendly bunch of blokes. We over heard the owner talking to them saying that there was one young lad and an old couple on a motorcycle here. Yay it’s official we are old. 3 times through the night we were awoken by one of these youngsters who couldn’t hold their drink as he was throwing is ring up.
9-12-17
We were up early and as I was feeling a tad less snotty we decided to get back on the road. As we were loading the bike some of the builders were up having a hair of the dog. Yep 6 in the m drinking beer. They were very apologetic about their behaviour last night. I laughed and said no worries and the guy who sang through out the night will have the piss taken out of him for months or even years to come. We were packed and on the road by 7, it was a tad chilly and we had a few spots of rain but nothing to worry about. It was an excellent ride even on this little Suzuki, every now and then I would forget how well it doesn’t handle and go in to a corner a little to fast for it and have to grab the the anchors hard and then remember how good they are not. We reached Cape Rianga before the masses, the coach trips and the afternoon sun, walked to lighthouse took a few pics and got chatting to a German couple who were on paid parental leave of 1.5 years and were touring for the foreseeable future. And the company have to keep their job open for them on their return. And I thought I was lucky getting 2 months off without pay. I just love these empty twisty roads out here. On the way back we peeled off the main road and took one of the gravel tracks down to 90 mile beach. The tide was on its way in so we did not ride far along it before turning round and heading back to the road. The thought of getting stranded on the beach and drowning the bike it seemed like the sensible thing to do. We stopped in Kaitaia in a very smart motel with a pool, cooking facilities and free WIFI that was also reasonably priced. Marcia cooked us a healthy meal rather than having a pub meal. It’s a shame I had left my laptop at Johns it would of been a good time to update the blog and upload some photos.
10-12-17
I am feeling much better today still a bit stuffy, the plan today was to head back to Auckland along the West Coast. We were up and on the road early again and had a fantastic ride up into across the mountains where we got a tad cold and wet but the road was fantastic, twisty undulating climbs with steep cambers all the way up in to the clouds and down the other side. Not really paying attention to where I was going just enjoying the ride I took a wrong turn which turned out to be a good thing as where we stopped for breakfast we met a couple of fellow travellers who are going to send us loads of information on places to visit and trails to ride. The weather kept changing and threatening rain and it was water proofs on water proofs off all throughout the day. Put them on we were to hot took them off we were to cold we just could not win but it was a great ride.
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