Another round up of the run around New Zealand this time with some video from the handheld camera and some easy listening music courtesy of Sang Froid - Sunsets... enjoy...
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dZG7xsD6xU
Speak soon
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Jet Lag
Oh dear, I had forgotten just how hard it is to change body clocks back to normal
After effectively 3 weeks in other time zones I get back to the UK having managed to get some sleep on the return flight. Really thought that the business class and the flat bed was a winner here but oh no.
Sunday night, was drop dead tired by 6pm UK time and by 8pm just had to go to bed. Dropped into a deep sleep and woke up some time later, checked the clock and damn, only 11.30pm. Fought the rest of the night trying to sleep but really quite wide awake.
Work Monday was hard. 3 weeks of catch up to do including a complete re-organisation at work. Midday was extremely tired so has 15 minutes sleep on the sofa. Back to work then again @4pm was really stingy in the eyeballs. Finished work about 6pm, had to go to bed at 8.30pm again and again woke up at 11.30pm
Tuesday was Tony's funeral. Thanks to Dave on my team in that he picked me up and drove the 350 mile round trip. Thanks God. I was hallucinating in the car at around 5pm,weird stuff with a floating dashboard with uncontrollable power naps in the passenger seat. Got home, put some dinner on the stove, back in the living room and next thing I recall is waking up 1 hour later. Quickly back into the kitchen to find a carbonised pan with the remains of mixed vegetables permanently welded to it. Gave up and went to bed at 9pm. Woke again at 1.30am.
This is hard work
For the rest of the night had very weird dreams of me in some non existent part of New Zealand, the bit where the exorcist lives I fear cos everything was grotesque. I was stuck in a permanent loop of riding around steep gravel tracks on the edge of huge precipices and could not get home. Not nice...
It is now 10pm in the UK and I am still up. Good. Will go to bed at at 11 and see just how far / how long I sleep for tonight. I'm hoping things are for the better.
Damn you New Zealand. Why oh why can't you be closer to me and not 8000 miles beneath my feet.
Enjoy your new day. I will do so tomorrow!
Speak soon
After effectively 3 weeks in other time zones I get back to the UK having managed to get some sleep on the return flight. Really thought that the business class and the flat bed was a winner here but oh no.
Sunday night, was drop dead tired by 6pm UK time and by 8pm just had to go to bed. Dropped into a deep sleep and woke up some time later, checked the clock and damn, only 11.30pm. Fought the rest of the night trying to sleep but really quite wide awake.
Work Monday was hard. 3 weeks of catch up to do including a complete re-organisation at work. Midday was extremely tired so has 15 minutes sleep on the sofa. Back to work then again @4pm was really stingy in the eyeballs. Finished work about 6pm, had to go to bed at 8.30pm again and again woke up at 11.30pm
Tuesday was Tony's funeral. Thanks to Dave on my team in that he picked me up and drove the 350 mile round trip. Thanks God. I was hallucinating in the car at around 5pm,weird stuff with a floating dashboard with uncontrollable power naps in the passenger seat. Got home, put some dinner on the stove, back in the living room and next thing I recall is waking up 1 hour later. Quickly back into the kitchen to find a carbonised pan with the remains of mixed vegetables permanently welded to it. Gave up and went to bed at 9pm. Woke again at 1.30am.
This is hard work
For the rest of the night had very weird dreams of me in some non existent part of New Zealand, the bit where the exorcist lives I fear cos everything was grotesque. I was stuck in a permanent loop of riding around steep gravel tracks on the edge of huge precipices and could not get home. Not nice...
It is now 10pm in the UK and I am still up. Good. Will go to bed at at 11 and see just how far / how long I sleep for tonight. I'm hoping things are for the better.
Damn you New Zealand. Why oh why can't you be closer to me and not 8000 miles beneath my feet.
Enjoy your new day. I will do so tomorrow!
Speak soon
Sunday, 11 November 2012
All Done
I have arrived back home. Jet lag is not too bad, a little sleep on the flight took care of that I hope. On the train last night looking out of a darkened window I would swear that I saw the shadows of New Zealand hills and forest flash by. It has had that magnitude of an impact on me and one reason why I also slept with a light on last night so that I did not awake in a darkened room in a middle earth dreamworld as nice as that may have been. I am grateful for many memories and experiences, only a few of which have been included in this blog. And 3500km riding in 11 days is, for my English bones, just about right thank you!
Thanks everyone who made time to read the musings of a middle aged man. I have enjoyed putting finger to keyboard and through this, being that this is a first blog, have found a new mechanism other than FaceBook (which I am now off forever), of expressing my thoughts and observations, as much for me to read over the coming months and to help what I think is a failing memory, as well as sharing the journey with you.
I will add the YouTube links to this post as I get them done over the coming week... but to start with here is a compilation of the 12 days in the saddle, see : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikcxqxyl6Xs
Thanks for travelling with me...
Speak soon
Wayne
Thanks everyone who made time to read the musings of a middle aged man. I have enjoyed putting finger to keyboard and through this, being that this is a first blog, have found a new mechanism other than FaceBook (which I am now off forever), of expressing my thoughts and observations, as much for me to read over the coming months and to help what I think is a failing memory, as well as sharing the journey with you.
I will add the YouTube links to this post as I get them done over the coming week... but to start with here is a compilation of the 12 days in the saddle, see : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikcxqxyl6Xs
Thanks for travelling with me...
Speak soon
Wayne
Friday, 9 November 2012
Day 22 - Shhhh!
I'm as silent as a church mouse eating crinkle cut crisps during sunday worship...
I'm the in the business class lounge in Hong Kong airport. Its quiet and as clean, moist and warm as a high class call girls armpit, well that's what I'm calling it today.....
Surreptitiously doing video of the biking.... Shhhh.... don't tell anyone...
Speak soon....
I'm the in the business class lounge in Hong Kong airport. Its quiet and as clean, moist and warm as a high class call girls armpit, well that's what I'm calling it today.....
Surreptitiously doing video of the biking.... Shhhh.... don't tell anyone...
Speak soon....
Day 21 - Parting is such sweet sorrow...
I have just parted with an old friend.
You know how over time one grows fond of someone or something, like a ropey mutt, a heinz 57 if you like, or a petulant pensioner hell bent on being the trouble of your life at stalag 13 for the elderly.
Well me and Ten 12 have parted. I have only known her, for it is a she, for 11 nights and 12 glorious days whilst we have danced the miles away with the best that New Zealand could put on the juke box. Old favourites like the Forgotten World quick step, or the Gentle Annie waltz, or the Coromandel jive. Together we have whirled and pirouetted and climbed, nay soared, and fallen in a way that would amaze should you have been able to watch us from a lofty, er loft. Our efforts have worn callouses into each others unmentionables and has even taken a strip of rubber from some undergarments. Now that's the type of lady that I like to dance with.
So Ten is now gone. But alas whilst I now frolic in the clouds and be a general nuisance to the Air New Zealand stewardesses where I will regale of the days just passed, Ten will soon cajole, fraternise, flash here bright beamy eyes and say 'why don't you try me' to the next leather clad masochist, but only once she is refreshed and the wash and brush up is done.
Back home it is now to the love of my life. No not work for that is a sin, but to the K1200S that has sat patiently waiting for her master to return, and no doubt will try to bite my leg off in the next set of cold wet winters bends! Note to self, I need to get her some new rubber too! Phwooooaaaarrrrr... she said as I twister her throttle....
I have so much video now I will take days, nay weeks to mull it over and select the good stuff. Like looking for the best wines on the ropey shelves at Tesco's. Someone has to do it and it will take time to find but the result with be splendid, especially if watched with a bit of cheese eh Gromit.
So a huge thanks to Randal Brown of http://www.aucklandmotorbikehire.com. Such a friendly chap full of the love of the dance but only with the right girl of course and only if she wears BT021s or 023s, Phwarrr! Nudge nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean? Eh? Eh? I heartily recommend Randal to anyone wanting to follow in my, and anyone else's tread marks.
I will add more vid to the blog before the end, else also look me up on YouTube (Wayne Tyssen).
Parting is such sweet sorrow Baby, we will dance again one day... soon.
Speak soon
You know how over time one grows fond of someone or something, like a ropey mutt, a heinz 57 if you like, or a petulant pensioner hell bent on being the trouble of your life at stalag 13 for the elderly.
Well me and Ten 12 have parted. I have only known her, for it is a she, for 11 nights and 12 glorious days whilst we have danced the miles away with the best that New Zealand could put on the juke box. Old favourites like the Forgotten World quick step, or the Gentle Annie waltz, or the Coromandel jive. Together we have whirled and pirouetted and climbed, nay soared, and fallen in a way that would amaze should you have been able to watch us from a lofty, er loft. Our efforts have worn callouses into each others unmentionables and has even taken a strip of rubber from some undergarments. Now that's the type of lady that I like to dance with.
So Ten is now gone. But alas whilst I now frolic in the clouds and be a general nuisance to the Air New Zealand stewardesses where I will regale of the days just passed, Ten will soon cajole, fraternise, flash here bright beamy eyes and say 'why don't you try me' to the next leather clad masochist, but only once she is refreshed and the wash and brush up is done.
Back home it is now to the love of my life. No not work for that is a sin, but to the K1200S that has sat patiently waiting for her master to return, and no doubt will try to bite my leg off in the next set of cold wet winters bends! Note to self, I need to get her some new rubber too! Phwooooaaaarrrrr... she said as I twister her throttle....
I have so much video now I will take days, nay weeks to mull it over and select the good stuff. Like looking for the best wines on the ropey shelves at Tesco's. Someone has to do it and it will take time to find but the result with be splendid, especially if watched with a bit of cheese eh Gromit.
So a huge thanks to Randal Brown of http://www.aucklandmotorbikehire.com. Such a friendly chap full of the love of the dance but only with the right girl of course and only if she wears BT021s or 023s, Phwarrr! Nudge nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean? Eh? Eh? I heartily recommend Randal to anyone wanting to follow in my, and anyone else's tread marks.
I will add more vid to the blog before the end, else also look me up on YouTube (Wayne Tyssen).
Parting is such sweet sorrow Baby, we will dance again one day... soon.
Speak soon
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Day 20 - Is this the end?
I was dreaming last night.
Weird in that half awake / half asleep stage somewhere at God knows o'clock I was laid on the foredeck of a yacht, looking up at the jib. It was a becalmed night, as dark as the heart of Satan and I was fearful that the sail was still up (I could feel it) and that I might lose my glasses overboard. Panic ensued with me fumbling around for my specks. Somewhere in that madness I realised I was awake in a pitch black motel room and the jib was the wall by my head. Was not nice in an unsettling way and maybe a foresight into the nights ahead, should I ever buy that yacht and set sail for distant lands.
At reception this morning I was asked ' did you have a good nights sleep Mr Tyssen' which whilst not that unusual might have been prompted because of reports of a fat dude stood out on the balcony of appartment number 11 at 3am stark naked shouting 'shiver my timbers!' A polite lot these New Zealanders...
For sure the Coromandel peninsula is the icing on the cake of this visit to New Zealand. The 'Wow Factor' is huge, thanks Randal for your predictions. Loved the roads, loved the scenery and the good news is, because I approached it from Thames today, that tomorrow I get to see the whole thing again in reverse. Not that the bike has a reverse gear but you know what I mean and as good as a different way home for sure. I am stacking up the gigs of video taken on this trip and for sure have overestimated my abilities / wifi access to get it processed and up on YouTube each day. Never mind. I have lots of the good stuff to play with over the coming days and I will keep this blog running with that and some additional personal reflection of the holiday until all is done. So that will be Christmas then...
The eggy smell also lingered today, not really noticeable until at the end of the day, in the shower, I thought poo! is that me? Hmmm, not a nice smell is it? I can normally place people by their looks, for example the Dutch have up turned noses and a sloping forehead, people from West Yorkshire have flat faces and googley eyes (hi Fiona). Neva thought I would place people by their smell but come to think of it the people of Scarborough.. Hmmm. Fishy. I wondered why everyone was keeping me at arms length and why flies seem to follow me everywhere that I went... Don't forget Rotorua's water is all geo thermal so impregnated with the sulphur I guess. I did not realise that I had so quickly grown used to it. Also now explains an interesting sign I recall that said: 'no mining or drilling' unless that is you want a really really nice hot bath!
Is this the end? All has been better than expected and would be a tad better with someone to enjoy it with. The people, the places, the roads, the weather, the shiny bits, all has been fabulous. I'm currently sat finishing off a bottle of The Beacon 2004 Reserve Merlot on the balcony at Kappeli's (no not the ice cream parlour at Scarborough our kid) listening to the waves breaking over the distant cold volcanic rocks waiting for the stars to come out....
Tomorrow is time to run back to Auckland and get to the airport for about 19:00 ish for the just before midnight fight home.
This is not the end Baby, we must do this again and sometime soon....
Speak soon
Weird in that half awake / half asleep stage somewhere at God knows o'clock I was laid on the foredeck of a yacht, looking up at the jib. It was a becalmed night, as dark as the heart of Satan and I was fearful that the sail was still up (I could feel it) and that I might lose my glasses overboard. Panic ensued with me fumbling around for my specks. Somewhere in that madness I realised I was awake in a pitch black motel room and the jib was the wall by my head. Was not nice in an unsettling way and maybe a foresight into the nights ahead, should I ever buy that yacht and set sail for distant lands.
At reception this morning I was asked ' did you have a good nights sleep Mr Tyssen' which whilst not that unusual might have been prompted because of reports of a fat dude stood out on the balcony of appartment number 11 at 3am stark naked shouting 'shiver my timbers!' A polite lot these New Zealanders...
For sure the Coromandel peninsula is the icing on the cake of this visit to New Zealand. The 'Wow Factor' is huge, thanks Randal for your predictions. Loved the roads, loved the scenery and the good news is, because I approached it from Thames today, that tomorrow I get to see the whole thing again in reverse. Not that the bike has a reverse gear but you know what I mean and as good as a different way home for sure. I am stacking up the gigs of video taken on this trip and for sure have overestimated my abilities / wifi access to get it processed and up on YouTube each day. Never mind. I have lots of the good stuff to play with over the coming days and I will keep this blog running with that and some additional personal reflection of the holiday until all is done. So that will be Christmas then...
The eggy smell also lingered today, not really noticeable until at the end of the day, in the shower, I thought poo! is that me? Hmmm, not a nice smell is it? I can normally place people by their looks, for example the Dutch have up turned noses and a sloping forehead, people from West Yorkshire have flat faces and googley eyes (hi Fiona). Neva thought I would place people by their smell but come to think of it the people of Scarborough.. Hmmm. Fishy. I wondered why everyone was keeping me at arms length and why flies seem to follow me everywhere that I went... Don't forget Rotorua's water is all geo thermal so impregnated with the sulphur I guess. I did not realise that I had so quickly grown used to it. Also now explains an interesting sign I recall that said: 'no mining or drilling' unless that is you want a really really nice hot bath!
Is this the end? All has been better than expected and would be a tad better with someone to enjoy it with. The people, the places, the roads, the weather, the shiny bits, all has been fabulous. I'm currently sat finishing off a bottle of The Beacon 2004 Reserve Merlot on the balcony at Kappeli's (no not the ice cream parlour at Scarborough our kid) listening to the waves breaking over the distant cold volcanic rocks waiting for the stars to come out....
Tomorrow is time to run back to Auckland and get to the airport for about 19:00 ish for the just before midnight fight home.
This is not the end Baby, we must do this again and sometime soon....
Speak soon
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Day 19 - Poo! Rotten Eggs!…
I got told off last night. I think I upset the Te Puke locals.
Whilst I was tucked up in a corner of the bar waiting to be lynched, one of the local Mauris smiled at me from their group and I politely smiled back. Now this is apparently a ' why don't you come over and join us at our table' smile and whilst I acknowledged it, per normal, I stayed put. The evening passed, more video was done (I still cannot upload due to limited bandwidth) and as I went to leave the bar I was politely asked to come across to their table and introduce myself. Which I did. Quickly followed by a 'listen mate, if we smile its because we really want to speak with you and say hello!' Ooooer! I've upset the locals twice in one night. I'm hoping they use a highwayman's knot (I've remembered it! see earlier blog) at the lynching so I can make a quick release and getaway!
Now being that I am a sensitive Yorkshireman with all the social graces of a hippo, I recall that a remote 'come hither' look in my teen hippo days first of all had me looking round in case I was accidentally in someone elses line of sight followed by a 'who me?' kinda look back before wandering over with a gift cabbage (hi Brian / John) which normally and quickly resulted in a slap across the face. Hence my reluctance last night. Pavlov has taught me well how to avoid such things. Anyway was great to speak with them about life and PC's and other worldly things including sheep. At the end of the evening I'm told that I AM just like my nephew (Brad) who lives and breathes his life away on his PC. And in this case I cannot argue that, last night, me and Brad were one and the same. Anyway there is a promise to return and leave the PC, phone and all things not beer shaped or flavoured at home. Also met an 82 year old Dutch bloke today. Right friendly and chatty chappie, sparkly eyes and full of life. Another one off the ships in the 1950's methinks and he similarly finds New Zealand Lekker!
The ride from Te Puke to Rot(ten)orua (sorry for the play on words but the smell of sulphur / rotten eggs is a little bit overpowering to a sensitive hippo like myself) was fun and was the longest day in the saddle before refuelling (360Km). Again some beautiful scenery and good roads, but also some bad. Crested a rise to find without warning the tarmac stopped and the gravel started. A bit of a ooh aah bird moment at 100kph, but speed was scrubbed off quickly and over it I went. Off road riding? Pah! The feeling that one is not connected with something solid is now old hat to a hardened traveller so a short sojourn across the screes was no problem for me and the Ten 12 today.
But why does animal life continue to sling itself at me? Talking of birds again, they seem to enjoy flitting in front of the bike and exiting from under my wheels unharmed. Was getting used to that then this bigger bugger, like a dwarf crow or a muscled budgie (eh?), decided to have a go at head height. Ooooh! Michael will tell you that sailing taught us that EVERYTHING on a constant bearing will collide with you. Also if you see a green light then you have right of way. And as I did not see green but did see the whites of its eyes I grimaced and shrugged so hard I thought that a giant had pinched my neck twixt forefinger and thumb as though to squeeze a giant zit. Result! No Impact! But for the next 30 miles I rode the bike with bulging eyes and a red face cos I shrugged a bit too hard!
Anyway, the smell of sulphur is a bit overpowering tonight. Poo! Reminds me of when, as a child, Dad used to grip me (and my brother Allan and for all I know the 5 sisters too until we came along) in a head lock, using his legs with his bum and our noses pointing the wrong way. Aaahhh memories. Thanks Dad! And have just come out of the jacuzzi like an over done kipper, a hard boiled egg, Bits and pieces are now restored to normal and bum massaged by bubbles other than my own after a long day in the saddle.
Also just remembering, hit another flock of sheep in the road today. No not literally…. but got a good vid of the buggers on the move past the bike…
Sheep don't half gasp and pant when running away from the dogs in warm weather Baby!
Speak soon..
Monday, 5 November 2012
Day 18 - A day at the races...
The bike's thermometer tells big fibs.
New Zealand has today shown its other side to me. Bloody cold! Figured that no holiday in NZ is complete without a bit of the wet stuff and the forecast had predicted it with a cold front moving up the east side of the island which it promptly did last night. No sooner had I arrived yesterday at the Masonic hotel, an art deco type with a lot of 1930's style, that the heavens opened with the wet stuff. Not heavy but enough to water the garden for sure. But not the matter, I had arrived early after a grand run along Gentle Annie I tucked up in an expensive bar charging of 2022 prices for beer so drank slow and cracked on with vid editing and blog bits. Broadband in NZ is not like the UK, i.e. unlimited. I think I used up the hotels months allocation with YouTube stuff cos for sure it was off the air this AM!
Up for an early start as the bike was on a parking meter and being that I am a Yorkshireman I was not to part with another dollar and so on my way by 9am. Definitely cooler than previous days with high pressure in the West and a Southerly wind up the east coast. Now back home a Southerly normally means good warm weather but seeing as I am at the other end of the planet, high pressure systems do two things. 1, spin the wrong way (anticlockwise) and 2, bring bloody cold air in all the way from the south pole I think. Showers were predicted but was looking dry so away I went. Today's jaunt up the coast via Gisbourne to the Te Puka Tavern on the east coast was not as spectacular as earlier days but was needed to get me up onto the north east coast.
Somewhere approx 30k's South of Gisbourne the weather hit. Moments before I has stopped at the roadside and put the fleece on. And thank God I did! The next 30K was wet and bloody cold, that kinda penetrating cold which back home would have the heated grips on and me looking to get back to base ASAP. I suspect that I had caught up with the cold front. Bloody felt like it. The bike climbed into the Wharerata Forset and the thermometer dropped, from 12 degrees to 7. Sorry Ten 12, you are wrong today, the numbness in my hands with silk liner (thanks sis!) and waterproof gloves over, made me forget about the numbness in my arse. Definitely less than 7 degrees. My growing end, being reliable in these matters, vouched for this in that it's 'size' is proportional to the air temperature, so I guess about minus 5 today!
So now I am sat in the Te Puka Tavern bar. Working on the blog and vids with a warm log fire (never thought I would write that in New Zealand) to my arse end, beautiful ocean scene to my front end and surrounded by people in their glad rags for the Melbourne cup. Had no option but to have a go on the tavern sweep stake (because to drink in here one has to be in the sweepstake apparently). So I parted with 5 dollars, closed my eyes, stabbed the clipboard and hit number 11.
And it came second and got placed. I've just won 30 bucks!. Oh dear! Imagine, a stranger, because for sure the rest are locals, comes into a bar and wins the sweepstake. I'm gonna be lynched!
Coming second in most things in life is normally enough for me, including not being first to the top of everything.
As long as I get there Baby!
Speak soon
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Day 17 pt 2 - I need a 3rd foot...
Annie was gentle with me today.
Her older sister, Brunhilde the Ball Breaker, was not. Today's route was in the sat nag which took me in a kinda squiggly straight line to Annie out up Route 4 from Wanganui and somewhere along it the sat nag (it is no longer my friend) took me to the right and into the hills. All good, single track much like some of the minor B roads in the Dales and Wolds back home. Again beautiful scenery and then the sat nag said turn right. I double checked because what looked like a farm track surely was not the right way to go?
But it was. Again a gravel (single track this time) road with a high camber and plenty of the loose stuff with steep edges on tight hairpin turns. I have never done it but presume that the experience of wrestling a bull by the horns is similar to my efforts at getting a Ten 12 down a gravel lane at just over trotting pace. For sure I am having difficulty typing this evening as I have lost all strength in my hands. I keep trying to pick things up but have lost the power or grip. For sure an impression of my fingerprints is now firmly and indelibly pressed into the Ten's bar ends; not a bad feat considering I had two layers of gloves on! I was thinking of leaving a memento of my visit in NZ and think that I have now over done that... The Owhakura Road has left a lasting impression.
So there I was, right hand bend, off camber, downhill, with right foot off the footrest surfing the scree and I'm in need of a brake! Did not dare touch the front and thank God (Him again) for engine braking which the Ten 12 has by the bucket full. A 3rd leg and foot, no not a military unit, would have been nice though. Whilst I am now a self proclaimed GOD of off road riding, this ass still needs to find time at the BMW off-road school in Wales, and soon!
The fight with Bruhilde was hard won. I still have my wedding tackle intact and connected albeit now a bit dusty. Hah, Brunhilde! Take that you wafer thin mint eater you! (said with a French accent of course, Monty Python style).
And again it only gets better. Annie was gentle for sure at the start and I thought nice, easy ride. Came to the section often shown on the web, see : http://youtu.be/AhbPt1-MCn8 for a truckers eye view. So did this, down the hill, back up the hill, video in various poses and with a bit of doo, di, doo, da, daaa in my mind and thought that this close encounter of the 3rd kind had finished, turned off the camera and headed onwards for Napier. But no, that was just the start. The scenery in the Kaweka Forest Park is stunning. Look at that, no look at that now look at THAT! Thought I'd dropped off the bottom of the planet into another universe. Camera back on! For the first time in the holiday I stopped the bike, contemplated and reversed the course for 10k to see it in the other direction too. And back again. Hopefully all is shown when I publish today's video. Asap it will be there.... promise.
But for now here is Day 3 (I am still in catch up). See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-atli3bS8c. A time lapse camera experiment for day 4 went wrong so have nowt for that unless you want to see 3000 still photos! Day 5 was my Birthday so similarly no travel. Day 6 was Taupo to Whanganui via the Lost World Highway - NZ's number 1 rated drive. It's close between that and Annie for me. Lost World will be ready for issue tomorrow night!
For sure NZ is a country needing many types of riding skills and North Island, for a biker, is so much better. And surprising that today's riding reminded me moreso of South Island roads and landscapes than at any other time.
And the trucks are hauling milk (not logs) now Baby!
There is a story in here about asses and milk but the link momentarily escapes me...
Speak soon
Her older sister, Brunhilde the Ball Breaker, was not. Today's route was in the sat nag which took me in a kinda squiggly straight line to Annie out up Route 4 from Wanganui and somewhere along it the sat nag (it is no longer my friend) took me to the right and into the hills. All good, single track much like some of the minor B roads in the Dales and Wolds back home. Again beautiful scenery and then the sat nag said turn right. I double checked because what looked like a farm track surely was not the right way to go?
But it was. Again a gravel (single track this time) road with a high camber and plenty of the loose stuff with steep edges on tight hairpin turns. I have never done it but presume that the experience of wrestling a bull by the horns is similar to my efforts at getting a Ten 12 down a gravel lane at just over trotting pace. For sure I am having difficulty typing this evening as I have lost all strength in my hands. I keep trying to pick things up but have lost the power or grip. For sure an impression of my fingerprints is now firmly and indelibly pressed into the Ten's bar ends; not a bad feat considering I had two layers of gloves on! I was thinking of leaving a memento of my visit in NZ and think that I have now over done that... The Owhakura Road has left a lasting impression.
So there I was, right hand bend, off camber, downhill, with right foot off the footrest surfing the scree and I'm in need of a brake! Did not dare touch the front and thank God (Him again) for engine braking which the Ten 12 has by the bucket full. A 3rd leg and foot, no not a military unit, would have been nice though. Whilst I am now a self proclaimed GOD of off road riding, this ass still needs to find time at the BMW off-road school in Wales, and soon!
The fight with Bruhilde was hard won. I still have my wedding tackle intact and connected albeit now a bit dusty. Hah, Brunhilde! Take that you wafer thin mint eater you! (said with a French accent of course, Monty Python style).
And again it only gets better. Annie was gentle for sure at the start and I thought nice, easy ride. Came to the section often shown on the web, see : http://youtu.be/AhbPt1-MCn8 for a truckers eye view. So did this, down the hill, back up the hill, video in various poses and with a bit of doo, di, doo, da, daaa in my mind and thought that this close encounter of the 3rd kind had finished, turned off the camera and headed onwards for Napier. But no, that was just the start. The scenery in the Kaweka Forest Park is stunning. Look at that, no look at that now look at THAT! Thought I'd dropped off the bottom of the planet into another universe. Camera back on! For the first time in the holiday I stopped the bike, contemplated and reversed the course for 10k to see it in the other direction too. And back again. Hopefully all is shown when I publish today's video. Asap it will be there.... promise.
But for now here is Day 3 (I am still in catch up). See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-atli3bS8c. A time lapse camera experiment for day 4 went wrong so have nowt for that unless you want to see 3000 still photos! Day 5 was my Birthday so similarly no travel. Day 6 was Taupo to Whanganui via the Lost World Highway - NZ's number 1 rated drive. It's close between that and Annie for me. Lost World will be ready for issue tomorrow night!
For sure NZ is a country needing many types of riding skills and North Island, for a biker, is so much better. And surprising that today's riding reminded me moreso of South Island roads and landscapes than at any other time.
And the trucks are hauling milk (not logs) now Baby!
There is a story in here about asses and milk but the link momentarily escapes me...
Speak soon
Day 17 - Gentle Annie
She is now in my sat nav and is the target for today.
I'm currently sat in the Breakers Bar, attached to the Grand hotel. Poached eggs on toast has gone down well and now have to wait whilst the computer thingy does it bit with the Day 3 video. Not yet catching up but will try to keep future vids to 3-4 minutes or so. At the end of the holiday I will do a roundup vid of all of the good bits (for me anyway) and have already selected the track that I want to use with it.
Last night, the final leg in to the Hotel was 'fresh' to put it mildly. Even though I had an evening sun on my back I do need to remind myself that this is still late spring in New Zealand and there is still snow falling on South Island. However today is again bright and sunny. Will wrap up today as also likely to find showers on the west coast.
The manager of the hotel was remembering to me, as a 20 something in the army, how they took a convoy of trucks across the Annie; that was the days before the tarmac road, and how at the end of the day they circled the trucks, wild west style, as an encampment in the bush.
Hmmm. Encamped in Annie's bush. Brian, that is one for you my friend...
More to follow later today Baby.
Speak soon
I'm currently sat in the Breakers Bar, attached to the Grand hotel. Poached eggs on toast has gone down well and now have to wait whilst the computer thingy does it bit with the Day 3 video. Not yet catching up but will try to keep future vids to 3-4 minutes or so. At the end of the holiday I will do a roundup vid of all of the good bits (for me anyway) and have already selected the track that I want to use with it.
Last night, the final leg in to the Hotel was 'fresh' to put it mildly. Even though I had an evening sun on my back I do need to remind myself that this is still late spring in New Zealand and there is still snow falling on South Island. However today is again bright and sunny. Will wrap up today as also likely to find showers on the west coast.
The manager of the hotel was remembering to me, as a 20 something in the army, how they took a convoy of trucks across the Annie; that was the days before the tarmac road, and how at the end of the day they circled the trucks, wild west style, as an encampment in the bush.
Hmmm. Encamped in Annie's bush. Brian, that is one for you my friend...
More to follow later today Baby.
Speak soon
Day 16 - I visited a republic today
Why do people want to get to the top of things?
Whether it is trees, mountains, the Earth, classes, companies, etc... There seems to be something about human beings that drives a need to get to the top. For me it is silly things like countries. Can I get to the most northern part and if yes then I go for it. In the scale of things like those done by a multitude of explorers with drive and determination and machete's and ice axes my ambitions are a bit on the limp side as it must have a good road to it. But still I do it and there is no other reason for doing it other than to say that I have done it. Whether Scotland and places like Cape Wrath or as on this trip to Cape Reinga on North Island. Now I do not know if it is truly the most northerly point on mainland New Zealand but it is as far as the road goes....
And that is good enough for me. So here I now have the vid of the run up and back down again. See : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEGOdazyUB8 .
It was a lovely day, a long day in the saddle. I now have callouses on the soft parts of my bum (the seat on a Ten12 is a bit on the firm side; a park bench rather than an armchair methinks). But thank God I'm not doing this on a Harley Davidson as I would have given up and bailed out even before leaving Kaitaia for the round trip to the cape. Just the thought of serious back ache and stretched hamstrings a la California is enough to put that idea away forever (see earlier Harley blog for why).
Yesterday was a wet day but the good news no motorcycling! Yay! However, said my farewells to John and Barbara today after 2 nights at their rather splendid house overlooking Lake Taupo. The penthouse room was truly spectacular and sorry Barbara that I could not find a cable for you to help with the video editing. But it is also likely that you will need a new PC as whilst a 10 year old model might have the connectivity, it probably will not have the disk space as video consumes gigs faster than I consume muffins!
Today though was back on the bike and away south finishing the day in Wanganui. Long day riding again. In fact all rides will be long in the saddle to cover all that I want to do. But today included a run along the Forgotten World Highway. And yes Randal, your predictions are right in that the riding and scenery is only improving as I get the miles in. Had a late lunch at Whangamomona Hotel. The town has declared itself a republic as a protest to council boundary changes in the 60's, see : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whangamomona
Video for today's ride is under construction. I'm not quite as quick as I would like to be but the vid will get uploaded as soon as is ready. With a few tunes too as watching a bike vid can be as interesting as watching paint dry unless supported by an appropriate ambient track.
Tonight I am in the Grand Hotel in Wanganui. For sure feels and looks like it has frozen in time since the 1950's. A characterful place... and with WIFI. Yay! So good for blogs and YouTube stuff which is now in underway....
Tomorrow is a ride on the Gentle Annie road. I'm aiming to reach the coastal town of Napier by 19:30 tomorrow evening as it is likely that I will meet John in the bar at the Mason's Hotel post his painting duties in Napier (or was that code for fishing John?). He's the only guy I know that trailers a speedboat with him when he goes decorating. Hmmm.
Hope Annie is gentle with me tomorrow Baby
Speak soon
Whether it is trees, mountains, the Earth, classes, companies, etc... There seems to be something about human beings that drives a need to get to the top. For me it is silly things like countries. Can I get to the most northern part and if yes then I go for it. In the scale of things like those done by a multitude of explorers with drive and determination and machete's and ice axes my ambitions are a bit on the limp side as it must have a good road to it. But still I do it and there is no other reason for doing it other than to say that I have done it. Whether Scotland and places like Cape Wrath or as on this trip to Cape Reinga on North Island. Now I do not know if it is truly the most northerly point on mainland New Zealand but it is as far as the road goes....
And that is good enough for me. So here I now have the vid of the run up and back down again. See : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEGOdazyUB8 .
It was a lovely day, a long day in the saddle. I now have callouses on the soft parts of my bum (the seat on a Ten12 is a bit on the firm side; a park bench rather than an armchair methinks). But thank God I'm not doing this on a Harley Davidson as I would have given up and bailed out even before leaving Kaitaia for the round trip to the cape. Just the thought of serious back ache and stretched hamstrings a la California is enough to put that idea away forever (see earlier Harley blog for why).
Yesterday was a wet day but the good news no motorcycling! Yay! However, said my farewells to John and Barbara today after 2 nights at their rather splendid house overlooking Lake Taupo. The penthouse room was truly spectacular and sorry Barbara that I could not find a cable for you to help with the video editing. But it is also likely that you will need a new PC as whilst a 10 year old model might have the connectivity, it probably will not have the disk space as video consumes gigs faster than I consume muffins!
Today though was back on the bike and away south finishing the day in Wanganui. Long day riding again. In fact all rides will be long in the saddle to cover all that I want to do. But today included a run along the Forgotten World Highway. And yes Randal, your predictions are right in that the riding and scenery is only improving as I get the miles in. Had a late lunch at Whangamomona Hotel. The town has declared itself a republic as a protest to council boundary changes in the 60's, see : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whangamomona
Video for today's ride is under construction. I'm not quite as quick as I would like to be but the vid will get uploaded as soon as is ready. With a few tunes too as watching a bike vid can be as interesting as watching paint dry unless supported by an appropriate ambient track.
Tonight I am in the Grand Hotel in Wanganui. For sure feels and looks like it has frozen in time since the 1950's. A characterful place... and with WIFI. Yay! So good for blogs and YouTube stuff which is now in underway....
Tomorrow is a ride on the Gentle Annie road. I'm aiming to reach the coastal town of Napier by 19:30 tomorrow evening as it is likely that I will meet John in the bar at the Mason's Hotel post his painting duties in Napier (or was that code for fishing John?). He's the only guy I know that trailers a speedboat with him when he goes decorating. Hmmm.
Hope Annie is gentle with me tomorrow Baby
Speak soon
Friday, 2 November 2012
Day 15 Continued - Sat in an Internet Cafe...
First NZ video now uploaded onto YouTube - see Day 12! More to follow...
Ciao Baby!
Ciao Baby!
Day 15 - Fireworks Tonight?
But only the good ones I hope and not have an argument.
And a quick note, I have changed settings on vids to allow anyone / everyone to see them. Let me know if you cannot.... doe to copyright on music for example...
I was right to suspect that the fireworks last night were for Guy Fawkes. I presume a legacy to the family histories and links to the UK. Mr Fawkes, another Yorkshireman and a Yorkist I think, was intent on killing the King (James 1st) to remove the Protestant monarchy and restore Catholicism in England. But failed etc etc. read more if you want of the history at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes
Today is my 50 birthday don't you know. I have made it. Yay! See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I-zBEfuWWw
Don't know whether I should say this but almost did not because an interesting sequence of (very fast) events on the bike yesterday. Something like this:
I was enjoying the curves in the back stuff. I was approaching a right hand sweeper, safe to take at approx 40mph. So on the approach dropped two cogs on the bike, opened the throttle to keep the power balanced and wooo! Nice. Saw the 34 wheeler coming around the bend in the opposite direction but all was good, right position, right speed, nice. The the next 3 seconds became very interesting.
I still had my left boot hovering over the gear lever and just as passing the truck hit undulations then a bump in the road. A gentle tap on the gear lever gave me a false neutral. Engine revs rose and my reaction was to 1, keep the turn going and 2, close the throttle. Now at this stage the normal process is to declutch and change UP into a higher gear. But within 1 second hit bump number 2. The boot for the second time tapped the gear lever and snicked into the next gear down. So now immediate engine load put on the back wheel (throttle closed) which immediately slowed its rotation and started a mini slide. Still doing 40 mph in a tight right hand bend the back end 'stepped' to the left and immediately initiated a left right left right slide. I de-clutched and allowed the back end to settle and straighten out of the bend.
This has probably left 3 indelible marks. 1, A black snaking line of rubber on the bend overlaid with 2, a brown snaking line made up of the contents of my bowels! The 3rd is a big red love bite on the bike saddle caused by the sudden grip of a puckered arse just before letting go with the smelly stuff! In a huge number of miles riding this is only the second time that bumps in the road have caused me have a 'moment' and being that I learn from things then today I will add a new sign on Randal's bike just below the 'keep left' on the left hand mirror to say ' if not changing gear then please keep your boot clear of the gear lever at all times' This would effectively render the mirror useless but would be a far greater safety device to a numpty like me. Experience matters. A novice may have grabbed a handful of front brake and stood the bike up and launched Evil Knievel style with a loud and long hoooohoooo!! off the road into the scenery some 100 ft below.
Randal, the bike is fine and I'm making it sound worse than it was for the fun of embelisment and writing about it. I'm sure that it would see loads more excitement from a bit of off road use but for me, what might have looked like a fat man with an unexplained wobble on in the trucks rear view mirror definitely felt worse than it was.
I guess truck driver is still there now looking over the 'edge' on the outside of the bend shouting ' hello, anybody there, can you hear me, are you OK?....'
In this blog I have mentioned God a few times. The person one talks to on occasion, in private or in communion, to ask of such things as why do boats hurt so much and how on earth did I break the pinkie on my right foot? Or why do people die and what can be done to help those suffering with pain and grief. For sure I am not a religious man. I do not attend church but do on rare occasion find my self speaking to Him. As much to ask why but also to say thanks! as was the case today for my 50 years. For sure many things have happened in my life that mean that I can do the things that I do. Others can do more, even more people can only do a lot less. I thank Him for all of this, for my mum and dad who brought me into this world. For the patience of family and friends and for all the other things, too numerous to mention. But He knows...
Today I will pop into Taupo to try to help find a cable for Barbara and John to help with with their home movies; to find a nice place to eat (Plateau recommended for good food and beers); and, to join another 10,000 people at the fireworks display in Owen Delaney Park @ 9pm.
Soon will be time to break out the sparklers Baby!
Speak soon
And a quick note, I have changed settings on vids to allow anyone / everyone to see them. Let me know if you cannot.... doe to copyright on music for example...
I was right to suspect that the fireworks last night were for Guy Fawkes. I presume a legacy to the family histories and links to the UK. Mr Fawkes, another Yorkshireman and a Yorkist I think, was intent on killing the King (James 1st) to remove the Protestant monarchy and restore Catholicism in England. But failed etc etc. read more if you want of the history at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes
Today is my 50 birthday don't you know. I have made it. Yay! See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I-zBEfuWWw
Don't know whether I should say this but almost did not because an interesting sequence of (very fast) events on the bike yesterday. Something like this:
I was enjoying the curves in the back stuff. I was approaching a right hand sweeper, safe to take at approx 40mph. So on the approach dropped two cogs on the bike, opened the throttle to keep the power balanced and wooo! Nice. Saw the 34 wheeler coming around the bend in the opposite direction but all was good, right position, right speed, nice. The the next 3 seconds became very interesting.
I still had my left boot hovering over the gear lever and just as passing the truck hit undulations then a bump in the road. A gentle tap on the gear lever gave me a false neutral. Engine revs rose and my reaction was to 1, keep the turn going and 2, close the throttle. Now at this stage the normal process is to declutch and change UP into a higher gear. But within 1 second hit bump number 2. The boot for the second time tapped the gear lever and snicked into the next gear down. So now immediate engine load put on the back wheel (throttle closed) which immediately slowed its rotation and started a mini slide. Still doing 40 mph in a tight right hand bend the back end 'stepped' to the left and immediately initiated a left right left right slide. I de-clutched and allowed the back end to settle and straighten out of the bend.
This has probably left 3 indelible marks. 1, A black snaking line of rubber on the bend overlaid with 2, a brown snaking line made up of the contents of my bowels! The 3rd is a big red love bite on the bike saddle caused by the sudden grip of a puckered arse just before letting go with the smelly stuff! In a huge number of miles riding this is only the second time that bumps in the road have caused me have a 'moment' and being that I learn from things then today I will add a new sign on Randal's bike just below the 'keep left' on the left hand mirror to say ' if not changing gear then please keep your boot clear of the gear lever at all times' This would effectively render the mirror useless but would be a far greater safety device to a numpty like me. Experience matters. A novice may have grabbed a handful of front brake and stood the bike up and launched Evil Knievel style with a loud and long hoooohoooo!! off the road into the scenery some 100 ft below.
Randal, the bike is fine and I'm making it sound worse than it was for the fun of embelisment and writing about it. I'm sure that it would see loads more excitement from a bit of off road use but for me, what might have looked like a fat man with an unexplained wobble on in the trucks rear view mirror definitely felt worse than it was.
I guess truck driver is still there now looking over the 'edge' on the outside of the bend shouting ' hello, anybody there, can you hear me, are you OK?....'
In this blog I have mentioned God a few times. The person one talks to on occasion, in private or in communion, to ask of such things as why do boats hurt so much and how on earth did I break the pinkie on my right foot? Or why do people die and what can be done to help those suffering with pain and grief. For sure I am not a religious man. I do not attend church but do on rare occasion find my self speaking to Him. As much to ask why but also to say thanks! as was the case today for my 50 years. For sure many things have happened in my life that mean that I can do the things that I do. Others can do more, even more people can only do a lot less. I thank Him for all of this, for my mum and dad who brought me into this world. For the patience of family and friends and for all the other things, too numerous to mention. But He knows...
Today I will pop into Taupo to try to help find a cable for Barbara and John to help with with their home movies; to find a nice place to eat (Plateau recommended for good food and beers); and, to join another 10,000 people at the fireworks display in Owen Delaney Park @ 9pm.
Soon will be time to break out the sparklers Baby!
Speak soon
Day 14 - I want a cherry on my cake!
Tomorrow i will celebrate surviving 50 years on this planet.
And with huge sadness, yesterday I was informed that Tony had died whilst in hospital Tuesday Am this week. So so quick, It cannot be more than 2 months ago that he told me about the backache that was keeping him awake at night. And no more than 1 week after his diagnosis he has passed away. I had not known Tony for long. A gentle character, softly spoken and a good man. We will miss him. My heartfelt condolences to his family for what has been not only an untimely death but exceptionally fast illness too. How can things like this happen so quickly? Only God knows. Rest in peace Tony. So so sorry my friend.
I have now reached my main destination of Lake Taupo in New Zealand. I am currently sat on a balcony on the eve of my 50th Birthday looking out over the lake. The forecast for tomorrow is rain, which is OK by me because it will be the one day I will not be riding the bike. Again another good day today. Overcast most of it but still more and more of the great scenery and fantastic roads. You know that feeling when as a child you looked at the pile of silver and red and gold and blue and green foil wrapping on the floor and then at your seventh unopened Easter egg and thought, maybe save that one till later? I wish I could do that too but I cannot. I cannot take any part of this country back to the UK with me so will have to accept the fact that I am addicted, chocolate is no longer enough, I have taken this country intravenously and in 1 weeks time will have to pay the price of a massive come down and suffer 'cold turkey'. But hey, that will be nice too with a bit of cranberry sauce and some roast tatties on the flight home! I can always find good in bad :-)
In the distance across the lake are the lights of Taupo. All around me and on the horizon there are flashes and bangs and crackles and multi coloured fountains of light. Could it be that New Zealand does like the UK and celebrate Guy Fawkes night? Or am I missing and ignorant of a celebration in country for another event? If the latter then I apologise for not knowing. If the former then thanks for the sound and light show New Zealand!
Met more people today. An old woman at a coffee house in a small village on the west coast. At least 85 by the looks with bleached white hair, silver grey eyes and skin slightly tanned and as wrinkly as an elephants bum (I'm sure there is a better way to describe out there - sorry my dear). Great to chat about her retirement to the coast and the festivals in the village each year. Met another couple at the 'natural bridge', a rock formation in the middle of nowhere, and similarly find that he and his wife moved to NZ some 2 years ago. From Ipswich. Well you would wouldn't you - not a difficult decision methinks.
Still though am having problems with wireless access so when I get unfettered access there will be a great glob of video dropped on to You Tube, so watch out. I will keep it short and sweet but I would like to share some of the experiences with you before I come back home.
Saturday the 3rd of November will be my 50th Birthday. I have achieved what I set out to do. To complete 50 years of life. And most recently the mini get togethers before I left, the sailing and Harleying in San Francisco, the miles on the Ten 12 and stringing of the pearls together as I travel from place to place. I am for sure someone who could organise a piss up in a brewery.
But again, tonight, I am still alone. The silence is deafening. The conversation is done for the day. I feel sad in that it is these experiences in life, which can be cruelly curtailed at short notice, that do matter but would be a gazillion times more fun and rewarding and enjoyable with the right person by ones side. Two smiles together are exponentially better than one on its own. To hold each other, look into the others eyes and regale over the hours, the days, the weeks, the years just passed...
That would be, of all things, something just a little bit better than a trip to New Zealand Baby.
Speak soon
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