Wellington > Hawera (282km by bus)

Houuu, shame on me, I’m taking the bus. I’m doing for two reason and not because I’m lazy ;-) first one : several people I met told me that this road is dangerous and not really nice for cyclist. There is not alternative roads beside this one and it’s an highway with buses, trucks, and all the big traffic. The econd reason is : I prefer to avoid this non interesting part and be sure to be on time in Auckland. If I have to stop for some reason, for bad weather or I don’t know yet, it’s better to have few days to prevent any problem. I’m not lazy :-P

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Marahau > Abel Tasman track return > Motueka (25km, 1h30)

Hey, the sun is coming back today and the timing is nice for me. Marahau is situated next to the Abel Tasman National park. It’s a famous place where hundreds of tourists come every summer and even every year. At this time of the year now, the track is certainly much less crowded, a good opportunity for me to visit it today :-) I won’t do all the track because I would have need at least two days but I could walk simply one hour and come back. It’s better than nothing so Let’ go!

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Takaka > Marahau (64km, 4h20)

Today looks much better than yesterday and I’m ready to go. I’ve cleaned my chain (again), cleaned and repaired my big yellow bag (there was a small hole on the bottom). All my clothes are dry and clean, even my shoes :-) All my electronic stuff is charged (tablet, kobo, GPS, camera, solar battery, Gopro, shaver) and I’m clean and shaved! I think I’m so ready to climb the Takaka hill today! Let’s go!

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Takaka, rainy day off

Foua! It rained during all the night and it still the same today. I wanted to take a day off, I have it sure! There is even thunder, the first time I see that since I’m here. The rain becomes heavier and heavier every minute and I’m wondering how many hours my tent will stand up… And tonight, I’m going to sleep in it again, surrounded by all the water and mud. Aïe Aïe Aïe!

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James Mackay camp site > Perry saddle camp site (24km, 4h30)

DSCF1965_light

Yesterday afternoon, something like 12 riders arrived to the hut. They certainly came directly from Kohaihai. They are going to the same way as me and they left at 8:00am because they will finish the track today. So they do it in 2 days only but they are much lighter than me. That’s a different way :-) It rained almost all the night. We are lucky, now it’s fine but cold! 5.6°! Brr! I have to move fast! Normally today should be easier than yesterday and the first day.

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