It is an easy descent from the Village to the highway junction, sometimes we are coasting at 38KM an hour (so it was a gradual climb to the Village). The day starts cold but warms up by the time we get to Raetihi. It is an easy cycling day as it is mostly downhill.
Raetihi is called a historical town, it appears to be almost dead as many of the shops on the main street are closed and unoccupied, apparently 8 years ago it was different. We stock up on groceries and enjoy TakeAway for supper.
We decide to take the old road to Whanganui, it is approximately 20KM longer with a 23KM "metal"(gravel) section. Except for the gravel section it is lovely the first day we only have 2 vehicles pass us. There are some big climbs and descents, rolling sheep pastures.
Just outside the small community of Pipiriki, the road turns to "tar seal" (pavement) so we enjoy the descent. We chat with a couple Maori men at the canteen. They advise us that there are some camp spots along the way and only 11-12 more kilometers of gravel.
Some of the gravel sections we have to walk and take it slow on the downhill portions, so it slows us down.
Around 4:30PM we reach the Convent in Jerusalem where there is suppose to be a Backpackers, but the nuns are not around, only 3 chickens that follow me looking to be fed. I imagine that the nuns have been cursed and turned into chickens the way they follow me and seem to talk to me. The buildings and grounds are well kept. As the road was paved, we decide to carry on to find a campsite, however it turns to gravel again.
We reach Ranana where there is a sign for a campground, we do down the steep old gravel road. It appears that the campground is deserted the building is locked and there are dry cow patties in the field. We stop for the night.
Day 19 cycling 51KM
Day 20 cycling 48KM
A.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment