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..
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