Tailwind!!!!

(Hawera, New Zealand, 27th of January 2017)

We took it easy this morning, as we had only a short bike ride on 45 km left to Hawera, from where we will take a bus to Wellington tomorrow. And lo and behold – we had a tailwind and only slightly over 300 meters of altitude !! The road we have cycled for the past few days is the Surf Highway, a road we have heard would be so beautiful to ride. When you have cycled at the inner parts of the country among green hills and high mountains with sheep and cows grazing everywhere then a flat stretch of coastline is not particularly impressive. If we had recommended cycling routes in New Zealand this stretch had not been involved. But this day we at least got a glimpse of Mount Taranaki – this beautiful but elusive volcano!

In Hawera, we stayed in a homestay, “Studio on Glover.” A little fun accommodation in the rear of the host family’s garage with the family garden with their dog and rabbit at our doorstep. But the accommodation was very nice with bathroom, fridge and a small kitchenette and our hostess began with offering a home baked and amazingly good chocolate cake.

/Christel