Page 36 - NZ Ulyssian December

ARTICLES

Nice collection
of rides

of the famous walks around New to see a long lost friend.
Plymouth. Wayne and I were up Only 5 of us now, and as John had
early, so walked down to the invited us to his place to see his toys,
waterfront and headed North as I what he wasn’t expecting was five
wanted to see the famous Rewa drowned rats walking into his place
Bridge that I see on most of the dripping water everywhere. We left when
tourist leaflets. We passed Philip it was dry, but 100m down the road,
on the path, who was coming the rain came down. As we were only
back from his walk probably a going 3 km, most of us did not put all our
couple kms from home, only motorcycle gear on and unfortunately, my
he wanted to get back before baggy pants got stuck on the footpeg,
Back on the bikes and head out to the the weather changed. We passed Surf and my leg could not get to the ground
coast, not quite to the westernmost point Clubs, Golf Course Camping Grounds quick enough, so I will leave it to your
of the North Island but one of the oldest and a ton of driftwood. This really is a imagination only my pride was extremely
lighthouses still in use today. Again I was pleasant walk, and the path is well used hurt. Arrived at John’s with both John and
the only one who walked up to it, so if by locals. Cyclists going to work, joggers Pam giving us a great welcome and a
you want to know more about it get off putting us to shame, people walking their beautiful lunch.
your bike and walk up to it and read the dogs and others just holding hands and The highlight, though, was to be taken
sign. having a pleasant stroll. Sorry Wayne, I down to his garage to see not only the
There we said goodbye to our tour was not going to hold your hand. On the Corvet and the Classic Bikes but a 1936
guides, and Howard led us back to river bank there were people fishing, and Armstrong Sidley aeroplane engine. The
our accommodation only the heavens further up, many hoping to have whitebait biggest surprise to all of us was when
opened up, and the last 20kms was quite fritters for breakfast. All that I talked to he stared it up as he wanted to sweep
wet. were going to go home hungry. the leaves in the backyard. To see the
That night two of our tour guides joined Then the famous Bridge came into expression on John’s face was fantastic.
us with their wives, and John, a local view. Yes, it is impressive and I am He really loves to show off the passion for
member, his partner Pam a member of certainly glad I made the effort. Most of his toys and good on you John.
our Branch meant twelve for dinner and the photos, though show the mountain in A quick ride back to the Hostel and
we all had a very nice Thai Banquet. A the background. No mountain at all, just a quiet afternoon as the rain just kept
very relaxing enjoyable night it was too. a lot of cloud. Then it was the walk back coming down. We walked down to a
to our accommodation, and almost back pub, had a couple of beers and played
Day 3 there, it started to drizzle – 8.2kms, just scrabble. Didn’t finish the game but a
This day was always advertised as a what the Doctor ordered. Wayne then good laugh. Quiet meal back at our digs
free day as my intention was do some hopped on his bike and rode to Stratford and a feely early night.

36 | Ulyssian DECEMBER 2021