Auckland to Miranda

Auckland is a big City and although easy and safe to ride through did seem to take a heck of a long time to eventually be out of. It was also suprising how much climbing was involved, The day was cool but fine and we decided not to have an early coffee stop but rather push on to Clevdon. We had decided to take the slightly longer "Coastal" route up to Miranda. Although termed "Caostal" at times we wondered why as it had us back inland off the Coast climbing a couple of smaller 75 meter hills. 

I was very tempted when I saw an old orchard with a 100 year old loaded pear tree - unfortunately behind the orchard was the 100 year old Villa! Bugger. Same to further along fot the second pear tree - this time though there appeared to be someone in residence at that bach. Bugger.

Now all I want is a nice fresh, orchard fresh pear to satisfy that need. I'm even happy now to pay for it.

With 15 km to go I saw Rob and Ruth pull in to the Kaiaua Dairy however I was probably 500 meters in front so decided to push on coz even though 500 meters, that doubles to another one kilometer in total distance for the day and one thing I avoid on my rides is going back! However as I'd already had an ice cream earlier in the day  I  thought it would be time for a milkshake and decided that's what I would buy at Miranda when I past through on the way to the Camp. Guess what I found (or didn't find at Miranda)? Nothing other than a "Tee" intersection! Bugger. The milkshake will have to wait until tomorrow.

We have ended up with the "Family" unit here at the camp and it is very new and flash indeed so we are quite spoilt tonight.

Ruth and I had a big planning session re-jigging our itinerary and shuffling things around to get something that works (we think) for the rest of the ride. If you tiner with one part of the route then it has a cascade effect on every other part that follows. However the end result is we are not overdoing it in some of the sections and hopefully still able to sort our accommodation.

As happens on these events you begin to make new friends and so tonight because we had the large unit we had Julie and Lorna in to share their Pizz with us and Michael another younger solo rider joined us too.