070112 BLOK

070112  BLOK

My experiences traveling around the world by bicycle are extraordinary!

Here I am only 70+ KM from Auckland, where I started three days ago, and in Pukekawa, a place I'd never heard of before.  But, what a lovely place as has a view of the valley and Waikato River winding below.  If you're into a peaceful respite  this makes my 'Best List,' in the category:  'Home-Farmstay Backers (with a view!).'  

Additionally, I'd been concerned at launching my long trip during a rising moon.  I don't like to be 'out there' on these highways nearing a full moon!  It gets crazier than usual.  I like to start with a 'New Moon!'  (Note the poem at the end of this trip description.)   

We ended up going further than planned the first day!  This by 'accident?  Thus, at five hours into, and 60KM down the road we were still not there.  And here came the hills -- just what my feet didn't need at that point!  

The first part of the day was easy, however.  I must have averaged almost 20KMPH, the first two hours (getting out of Auckland).  Then I stopped to go to a toilet in Drury.

When I emerged from the automatic toilet I noticed Mr. Fetes had fallen over.  I had thought I'd done a good job parking him, but somehow, maybe with the wind's assistance, he was lying on top of the wooden guard rail -- luckily not the derailleur side.  His 'head,' (handlebars) was twisted about in such a fashion as to lock the front brake.  At first, I couldn't figure it out, as always too quick to try something.  Then, step by step, I made everything right again, cursing myself silently for being irresponsible, yet again!  If only I'd remember my bamboo stick (stand).  But, I'd forgotten it, left on the porch at Jim's in Mt. Eden.  I now have two good stick stands doing nothing but 'holding up walls!'  How profoundly stupid can you get?  Maybe it's dementia, but I'm short-term-memory challenged!  I always forget at least one item.

Onward, I stopped several times to make sure everything was working property.  It seemed to be, except the front brake whose cable and been twisted around like a pretzel!  More cursing!

I arrived in Pukekohe (Gad, these Maori names...?), a town of some size.  This, in only three hours.  I found the 'i' (for tourist information) directly.  I have infinitely good 'radar' for such which makes traveling the world possible (finding your way).

The woman on duty, name 'Jo,' became fascinated with my story and, in turn, such help!  No, no places to camp right in Pukehoke, but then she remembered something... There was one south around Pukekawa (Gad, these Maori names...?).  She spent some time researching this online and on the telephone, finally.  'They're good people,' she blessed me with.

I was on my way shortly turning right, or south on Buckland Road.  Jo had draw me a map, and I had signed the guest register (www.cyclingpeace.org).  I figured the distance to be something like another 20KM.  Another two hours, now about 1:30P.M. in the afternoon.

But, this is where I was led astray, or me not thinking well enough.  I'd planned to spend the night in Pukehoke, as far enough for the first day.  But, had I stayed in Pukekohe, I wouldn't have partaken of this, and 'this' turns out to be very good!  An accident...?

I've learned the hard way, to start a long trip slowly, don't go too far, or for too long the first day out.  Now, here I was repeating the same mistake of nine weeks ago, when I headed north for Cape Reinga.   When Jo had announced $100NZD per night for the lowest motel room, the 'Farmstay-Backpackers' place seemed like a better decision.  Of course, it didn't sound that far...  

So, I went following her map, south through Toakau, over the bridge, but then up and up and up, a series of hills that wore my feet out!   I kept hoping to see the School, but it was further than expected (Aren't most things?).  Finally, after the smallest Library in the world (I stopped to take a picture.) the School sign came into view, confirming I hadn't gotten lost, nor was the turnoff very far ahead.  Plus, it was down hill!   My feet 'screaming' at me to stop!

1KM ahead on the left, Churchill Road, and a sign for, 'Shekinah Backpackers, 3KM.'   Ironically, at the intersection, a golf course!  Note, I wonder if there are any Maori golfers?

From there, I pass a foursome of 'Pakeha' (white) women playing golf (Thursday must be 'Ladies Day' at the club.).  I continue down hill on a 'sealed' road.  Then when Churchill turns right or south, Shekinah is straight ahead another 1KM.   Here the 'sealed' starts to dwindle, and finally turns into gravel the last two hundred meters.  

Just before the Shekinah driveway, a steep down, and then immediately a steep up that I cranked to their very door step.  I'm completely out of breath by then, and almost fall over!  The reward, $10NZD off the usual $40 for one of their two cabins.  I'd planned on setting up my tent, but the cabin only $12NZD more than a tent site.  Note, if I don't have to set up my tent when exhausted at the end of the cycling day, so much the easier!   Best of all, Anita and her partner, Penny, live up to Jo's description, 'Good people!'

The first night I meet a couple from Sweden, Lars and Ellinor (driving around New Zealand).  The next day I meet Herfried and Denise, a German couple working and hitchhiking around New Zealand.  Herfried, an interesting artist, and we have several good conversations before they departed.  You don't find people like this in your hometown.

There's dogs, cats and sheep at Shekinah, as it's partly a working farm (Penny's job).  Note, I've been sitting watching how sheep graze, fascinating!  There's an old bus, named 'Wharepahi,' that you can sleep in, live in!  It has an even better view of the valley below.  So, if you want a peaceful place to rest, this is it, north of Hamilton, and south of Auckland, New Zealand!   It's apart of the www.bbh.com.co.na ('Budget Backpackers Hostel' network).  For those who want to trade a little work for room and board, this is what Herfried and Denise were doing at Shekinah.

Now, on the 7th (of January), our third day and only 70KM out of Auckland, we're still here at Shekinah.  But, maybe all of this our good fortune as it's raining steadily outside.  We would have been caught out in this, had I not needed to rest my feet.  I took off my 'Thirsty Boots,' and have stayed for awhile, 'my feet were hot and weary from a dusty mile!'  Note, Anita did some kind of therapy (body massage) on me, invented by Tom Bowen an Australian...?  Anyone out there ever heard about this...?  This, Anita suggested to aid my sore feet.

That's what makes what I do (cycling the world) adventurous... You never know what's going to happen.  And at my age (72), you never know what body part is going to give you trouble next!  But, I wouldn't (couldn't) have it any other way!  'Too far,' that first day?  Maybe!  But, maybe just right, and in the perfect place for the moment!

WITH A GOOD MOON RISING!

Distant clouds,

The moon rising,,,

Is this a new moon 

In a 'see' of green,

Or, am i just rising to the occasion?

Pukewaka,

Docka,

Pudding and pie,

Never say die!

Struggle up the hills,

Persevere!

And you get 'their!'

To distant clouds,

With a Good moon rising!

OUR CYCLING MOTTO:

We eat hills for breakfast,

The wind for lunch.

We dine on lofty peaks!

We drink the nectar from clouds!

We let nothing stop us!

THE 'HONEYMOON' CONTINUES...

www.cyclingpeace.org