On December 7 we returned to Auckland after our tour through Northland. 3 ½ weeks we had been on the road, covered about 1´200km and 15´000m altitude. We are full of pictures about New Zealand forests, cow-/sheep paddocks, peaceful bays or wild ocean beaches. There was a lot oft he typical green hill country, often very remote and quiet. The windy spring weather brings everything several times a day, but the temperature is pleasant even with rain. There is the daily few minutes drizzel also at night. Wet through we had been only twice so far. If the sun comes out it really burns and it feels humid quite quickly.
Our material has passed the test and the kitchen is working well, producing all sorts of dishes. We do travel slower than expected in all the hills, that remind us more on roller coasters at times. But also the wind and the rough road surface are challenging. Our legs are working hard and ask for a break every now and again. We have accepted that we cannot cover 100km per day. As we never had a clear tight plan, this doesn´t has to bother us. We can just enjoy.
The often described bad traffic and dangerous drivers haven´t got to our nerves yet. On sideroads or further away from big towns we mainly get along peacefully. There it´s the dead possums and birds at the side of the roads that are keeping us company. Well, you do find the racing drivers hardly keeping any distance when overtaking and the trucks, specially the logging and cement trucks with their trailers that want to suck you towards them when passing.
Traffic is troublesome on State Highway No 1 close to towns, when all sort of vehicules race along the winding rough roads with 100km/h. Only once on such a stretch we had half the road to ourselves. The Police had closed the road due to an accident and was detouring all the traffic. As the detour across a hill was totally overcrowded we had decided to wait and were allowed to go as soon as the road had been reopened one way to he oncoming traffic.
Now we let the legs relax, remember all the pictures from up north and enjoy a break in Auckland before we will keep travelling south.
