Nearly in Wellington

10/11/09 Gisborne to Morere
Got covered in cement dust first thing due to road being dug up - not much fun. Day got better though and we had a big climb to 488metres and then a great descent. Ended the day at the hot springs over the road from the campsite. Really lovely quiet place.

11/11/09 Morere to Wairoa
Had easy short ride to Wairoa and stayed in a fantastic (massive) cabin at a really nice campsite. We ate pies from an award winning bakers for lunch and then spent the rest of day in our cabin as it poured down with rain (like England!)

12/11/09 Wairoa to Napier (art deco capital of NZ)
Got bus to Napier as we were advised that the road was dangerous due to it being narrow in many places and the trucks. The views were spectacular and is would have been a great ride if other vehicles didn't exist. Napier is lovely and quite a good place to spend a few days, which is what we did. We visited the aquarium and saw 2 kiwis - very big and clumsy looking things. Also went on a tour of the wineries near Napier and went to a great cidery/brewery. Met a couple that had lived in Goosnargh (about 5 miles from Longridge) until about 7 years ago. Ended up eating out for all 3 nights as the backpacker hostel was overun with young germans partying - how very dare they!!! We do feel quite old here sometimes!

15/11/09 Napier to Wanstead
Really big headwind today so quite hard going but we had the quietest road yet - hardly another sole around. Arrived at a farm stay hostel, which was wonderful. Miles from any busy roads and surrounded by fields of sheep. The hosts, Ellen and Greg, were fantastic and we decided to stay 2 nights so Greg could show us around his farm in the morning. We went out with him for a couple of hours on the quad bike and his dogs and had a great time. He asked us how we'd financed our trip and was really impressed when we told him our interest rate on our mortgage (they are much higher over here).

17/11/09 Wanstead to Pongaroa
Really big headwind again but we managed to cycle 107km (the best yet). We arrived at another farm stay hostel and had the place to ourselves all night. The owners didn't come and see us so it felt a bit wierd. The rain was terrible the next day so we stayed in bed until quite late. Later on Peter (the son of the owners) came with homemade biscuits, eggs and milk and invited us for dinner with them. We had a great meal and it was lovely to meet George and Pauline. Pauline also gave us a bag of goodies for our ride tomorrow. Such a kind lady.

19/11/09 Pongaroa to Masterton
Had a lovely ride again on the quiet road. Off to Wellington (the capital) tomorrow and then we'll be getting the ferry to the South Island. Very exciting!