Northland

Friday 16^th December 2016

There was an air of unreality about embarking on the adventure following a couple of very busy weeks finishing all schools!  Richard arrived about midday and we hurried to get sorted to leave with the bikes on the trailer. The airport check-in was aided by a very helpful airnz assistant and we had a coffee and relaxed before catching the delayed plane to Christchurch at 3pm.

Quick Christchurch changeover into the plane to Auckland which left about 5pm and then ate at  the airport before the next plane to Kerikeri at about 7.40pm which touched down at 8.25pm. The shuttle was waiting with a sign saying Davidson which was pretty hilarious and after some logistics we got in the the transit van with the bikes cross-ways in front of us.

Sun setting as we got to the holiday park and they had upgraded us into a self-contained motel from a cabin which was superb. Big day but a lot smoother than many previously travelling with the bikes.

Dunedin Airport

Leaving Dunedin

Kerikeri Holiday Park

Saturday 17^th December

Kerikeri  Holiday Park – Kahoe Farm Hostel  41kms

Beautiful day. John assembled the bikes while Lucy, Hugh and I went to the supermarket and got food. We departed the camp about 10.30am and battled through the busy Saturday traffic in Kerikeri before heading out on SH10. Great ride. Took a bit to get in the flow again and quite uphill initially. Around the Matauri Bay turn-off we realised we had climbed considerably and the hill went on a bit before a massive descent into Kaeo which was great. Stopped for lunch near the top quite south of Kaeo and then went to the very friendly Mad Hatters Café in Kaeo for a coffee. 

Arrived at Kahoe Farms and re-acquainted with Lyndsey and Stefano whom we had met years ago around 2009 when we were here.  Stefano told us of the legendary football tournament they hold here every New Year as it is the first football game of the year in the world!  Then we were up to the kauri villa where we had stayed before. It is just gorgeous and I will certainly take some photos while we are here.

A little weird going north when our objective is south - and a little tentative with two huge days with hills ahead, but it is truly great to be on an adventure again and to have actually started on the journey. 

Bikes assembled

Mad Hatters Cafe, Kaeo

Kaeo