Luckily we decided to accept Basil´s offer give us and all the luggage a ride through the Manawatu gorge into Hawke´s Bay. Thank you Basil and Glinda !
That way we got the pleasure to cycle the Route 52. A Road crossing the south eastern Northisland (Waipukurau – Masterton) with about 5 cars each direction in a day. A true peddalar´s paradise, not mentioned enough! Hier we found a New Zealand as it once was. Quite, remote, beautiful farmland with a Pub every 100km, and general stores with baked beans and spaghetti. The people as warm as the sun and you just talk to everyone you meet. The world seem to be all in place here. Not all farmers optimise to the extend to harm the enviroment, everything still seems to have the price it is worth.
We had a drink with a Kiwi cyclis in the Wimbledon Pub, learned where we could find water, and that we should stay in schools to camp during the holidays, and we felt a little earthquake. The next school we had a look, but were not game enough to jsut stay. We asked at the neighouring house. Not possble was the answer, as the school is part of a trust, not even allowing the locals to use the gorund. We were asked to enquire again one house up the road. There we met Brian. He made it very clear, that there was no way we could camp at the school or on his ground. But he warmly invitet us to stay in his cottage! And then he added: «… and 5.30 is dinnertime. We will have a little party, as it is my birthday» We didn´t know what to say at first and then had one oft he best evenings with this freindly, interesting family, as if it were the most normal on earth that we were there too. We feel thankful to have met on oft he kindest persons on earth.
It was heavenly to cruise through this windy valley, in pleasant temperature and wind. Around 150km lasted the pleasure until Masterton, where we could continue one more day on a similar route until Martinborough. One town further was Featherston – the gateway for the well known Rimutaki Railtrail. We can recommend this crossing of the hills on the ground of a former railwayline into Hutt valley and on to Lower Hutt, where we found ourselves just out of Wellington – the capital. Wellington is famous for its wind. And as the weatherforcast predicted wind with 76km/h with additional gasts as well as rain, we waited a day in Featherston. A great decision when we saw the trees bending!
With Wellington we have reached the southern goal of Northisland and it is time for a new chapter – Southisland is waiting for us.