Journal Entries

As you all would know Tolaga Bay is famous in New Zealand for having the longest wharf at 600 metres. Less impressive is the Tolaga Bakery which had no cakes or pastries, only dodgy looking pies! Not what you need at 10am. This was the only town with food today, which gives you an idea how sparse the population is on the East Cape.

We were headed forGisborne today, 95k’s away and a well deserved rest day. It was a bit cooler today but clear and crisp which was good because the climb out of Tokamura Bay was really steep. The publican at the Tavern last night offered to drive us to the top, but that would be cheating!

And the end to another great day on the bike. We’re staying at the Tokomaru tavern tonight and have just inhaled the seafood chowder and fish of the day. I’m going to sleep well tonight!

Virtually no traffic, smooth roads with a decent verge makes for ideal cycling. We were inland for almost all the day, but that didn’t detract from the scenery. We climbed almost 600m in the first 20 kms and rolled through valleys and over saddles until we got to Te Puia Springs. After a quick cups we flew downhill for 8ks to Tokamura Bay. Of course that means first thing tomorrow we have to climb 300metres out of this place.

Big day today. After an interesting dining experience in the Stalag 13 restaurant last night we headed off early as we had the best part of 100ks to cover and lots of climbing. Another exquisite day, 23 degrees still and sunny. We’ve been so lucky!

Beautiful cycling today. Only about 10 cars went past all day. We took it a bit easy and finished by lunchtime. Had a snooze this arvo, did some washing and generally vegged out. Sweet as!

More serenity. This was from last night in Waihua Bay.

Our motel in Hicks Bay sits well above the beach. It has a certain Eastern European feel about, a bit like being on the set of Hogan’s Heroes. But the view as the sun sets makes it the best lodgings ever!

Last night we stayed at Waihua Bay and had dinner in the local pub followed by an interesting version of a quiz night hosted by a very funny local. I think the whole town turned out for this weekly event followed by the rugby on TV. There must have been at least 20 people there.

Left the Bay of Plenty today and rode inland to our destination of Hicks Bay on the other side of the East Cape. But not before passing this Church set out on a remote headland.