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