Pearls On Wheels

Another gorgeous day for a ride.  March/April is always a good time to be on the road in New Zealand. As we ride around every corner a new vista opens up. We are constantly reminded of how beautiful our countryside is.  The sun catching the waves as we ride north from Wellington.  Looking west to Kapiti Island  The Mangaweka cafe beside the DC3 .  We are halfway to Auckland.  Typical rolling central North Island sheep country near Taihape. There is a good cafe at the National Army Museum at Waiouru.   Its a good museum for folk who like military history.   Yes, we do have some sandy desert-like areas in New Zealand.   The Rangipo Desert does get rain but the soils are poor, winds and snow mean that not much grows. It is a tiny desert compared with places like the Atacama and most of the south western states of the USA and central Australia.  It is a military playground just like in desert regions in...

It is so good to be on the road again.  Apart from the minor issues with the panniers yesterday our gear 'works.  If' you are wondering about how we managed our panniers yesterday. Let me tell you zip ties have magical powers. More magical powers than CRC or Duct tape when it comes to holding our panniers onto the bike. After all the work I have done in limbering up to be sure I can get on - and off - the bike with ease I have discovered a minor issue.  Unlike me...  my motorbike pants have minimal flex because of the kevlar armour protecting knees and hips. I'll be looking for a fix for this.  Marlborough clouds presage... ...Marlborough vineyards that stretch from one side of the Wairau valley across to the Wairau river Our first stop is at VB Cafe in Blenheim for breakfast with Pat and Mike Across the Wairau River to Picton. Photo: Ken Rigby ...where we  have a leisurely lunch with my sister Yvonne and Ken in Picton. ....

This is the first riding day of our next adventure. We have agreed on a journey that will begin in late May in London. Dick has been doing lots of preparation. Researching, planning, getting gear sorted, making bookings. I have my pearls and my bag is packed. To begin... We are riding Orlanda to Auckland via SH6 the West Coast of New Zealand. We are aiming to arrive at St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes before nightfall. Tomorrow we will ride to Picton, board the ferry and sail to Wellington where we will catch up with Team Kiwi, Ken and Shirley. We have a perfect day to begin. Folks who have been following my blog will know that most of the photos I post have been taken while I am riding pillion on a moving motorcycle.  I now have  motorcycle gloves with screen sensitive finger tips that work a treat with my iPhone. That's great for when I need the phone as a backup camera - when the camera battery is flat - or I leave the SD card behind. For this trip I a...