Yesterday we left Martinborough for the 150 mile journey to Napier and whilst comparatively lengthy it was probably the easiest day's drive we have had so far in NZ. Very little in the way of steep, windy ascents and descents and plenty of long straight roads through lush farming territory. The biggest problem we faced en route was to find a parking space for the Motor Home at Pahiatua where we decided to stop for coffee. The LLW pronounced that, parking in an angled bay to the road, we were just far enough off the road to meet with her exacting standards. Pahiatua is a reasonably sized town, but is quite remote, and we were intrigued to discover that the coffee shop is run by Thai people who have clearly perfected NZ flat whites.
When we approached Napier we took a short detour to Hastings and Havelock North where on our last visit to the area in 2011, we were greeted by fabulous displays of Agapanthus and Jacaranda trees. Sadly, on this occasion, the Agatha's were past their best and there was no sign of a single Jacaranda in bloom. Ray checked his photo archive and when we visited in 2011, it was also in January but about 2 weeks earlier. For the record, the photo below is one taken in 2011.
Before we located our camp site we stopped at New World in Napier to replenish our larder. The overnight stop is the Top 10 camp site at Bay View just to the north of Napier and toute de suite the BBQ was in action for some Italian style sausages accompanied by excellent Hawke's Bay Merlot.
The next morning the weather was clearly deteriorating and whilst still warm 22/23C it was clear that rain is on the way. Consequently Ray decided on a ride straight after breakfast and to cycle to Napier and back (~15 miles). Shortly after leaving the camp site, Ray encountered a fellow cyclist who stopped and asked where he was going. We are both travelling in the same direction for a few miles so became cycling buddies for that time. His name is Rob and he is a retired builder riding an e mountain bike. Born in NZ his father's family were from Norway and Sweden and his mother's from Scotland and England. We spent a pleasant ~20 minutes together until he headed off to a suburb of Napier to check on a building site for a friend, and to assess if tarpaulins were needed to protect it from the forecast rain.
The map below was photographed from out side the i-Site (tourist information offices) in Napier and shows the route as part of the Hawkes Bay cycling network.
The route went along the seafront and then via marinas and the main port of Napier around Bluff Hill and then south to the centre of Napier which is know as the Art Deco capital since it was rebuilt in that style following an awful earthquake in 1930.
Ray watched the world go by for a few minutes before starting the ride back to the camp site. This was much harder, since the wind had freshened, was now a northerly and therefore a headwind for most of the return journey. As I cycled past the marina there was a sailing class under way with lots of children in Optimists which are seen all over the world.
When I reached the camp site the LLW decided it was coffee time and had discovered that there was a cafe onsite - perfect!.
Given the forecast we decided to spend the afternoon doing some chores and catching up with admin. Not very exciting but necessary when away for 9 weeks.
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