Pearls On Wheels

We make an early start from the Ferry Link Motel, Picton and ride through the Koromiko Valley to Blenheim. It is sunny and cold this morning. 7 degC We stop for Breakfast, a wonderful breakfast, at Raupo cafe  on the banks of the Taylor River. It is on the site of the aviary whose inhabitants amused me and my brother and sister when were children. There used to be monkeys, birds and a sulphur crested cockatoo with a extensive vocabulary of swear words. Nowadays the entertainment is people watching - school girls cycling along the path along tow path, along with runners, dog walkers, and a bronze sculpture of two beavers. Once we leave Blenheim and head up the Wairau Valley (we are actually heading south) we ride through many miles of vineyards. Further on we encounter many  loaded logging trucks hurtling down the Wairau Valley. We stop for a break at Lake Rotoiti. Our annual photo stop. All is quiet at 7.30am in Picton. The perfume of the flowering broom reminds us of

We wake to rain and mist. After a long leisurely breakfast the weather clears and we set off. We enjoyed our stay at the Chateau. We appreciated the excellent service of wonderful staff from many different countries. Mt Ruapehu is hidden by cloud. The road takes us through rugged landscapes... ...to rich loamy soils ready for  growing carrots and potatoes around Ohakune and Raetihi. ... and Rangitikei. There have been storms overnight and the seas are crashing onto the shore north of Wellington. All is calm in the Plimmerton harbour. Typical scenes for Wellington - houses perched on the hillsides. We check in at the Ferry Terminal and follow the directions to the bikers' area. Hiding over the bank is a beach and the Kaiwharawhara stream estuary. ...Onto the Arahura Interisland ferry at 6pm. Two other bikes and many trucks and motorhomes join us onboard... We were expecting a rough Cook Strait crossing and were pleasantly surprised wi

Orlanda has cruised from LA to Auckland. She was cleared from customs and her registration as a NZ citizen was completed on Friday afternoon. After introductions to her older sister it was time to hit the road. We are on our way from Auckland to Queenstown.  We ride through many km of lush Waikato dairy farmland.  Mt Pirongia dominates the scene southwest of Hamilton.  Dick and I climbed this mountain in 1970.  This time we climbed the steps into the Pirongia Cafe and enjoyed an excellent lunch. Mella takes the lead... ...and takes her turn as follower. The landscape is spring green. Dairy yields are at their highest at this time of the year. We ride out from Taumaranui and up on to the volcanic plateau. First stop - Chateau Tongariro,  Tongariro National Park