Just got back today from a weekend of rain, mud, fords and gravel (bet you guys were thinking of the other kind of dirty!)
Well, I started out on Friday before lunch heading for Kauaeranga Valley.
What a cool ride, heading out from Thames it's around 15km up the valley along side the river bed, on well swept gravel roads with a good mix of flowing straights and tight corners.
It was choppy in places, but on the whole was a lot of fun.
I parked up at one of the many Doc campsites right up the head of the valley. (see Pic 1)
The next morning I headed out early to Thames, having an awesome run on the empty roads out. (see pic 2)
I fueled up and met with Kevfromcoro at Kopu.
Chatted while waiting for the others who never showed in the end.
So me and Kev headed up the coast road at a leisurely pace due to traffic, and stopped where the road turned over the hill,(see pic 3) Kev turning around heading home again while I continued on to Corromandel town to meet up with Kanny on Bumble, the mighty Volty.
All fueled up and ready to go, we pointed the bikes north.
We headed past Colville and took the turn off for Port Jackson, stopping to admire the scenery and snapping pics every now and again, that really is a beautiful ride along the shore line. (see pic 4)
On to Fletcher Bay, it was raining when we arrived, so sheltering in the gun emplacement there, we got a brew on and had a late lunch.
After a while, the rain stopped, giving way to blue skies (see pic 5 for proof!) allowing us to set up camp.
talk about busy there, quite a few families had been there for the week before, having fun in the waves and plenty of luck fishing.
A fun evening of catching up was ended when the drizzle started, so into the tents for a long night with plenty of wind and rain.
Then this morning, Sunday, we got up early, packed up the wet tents and hit the road at 8am.
Was a slow ride back out, with limited visibility and very full fords, one quite deep and rapid, but with firm concrete bases, they were easily ridden.
In some spots around the cliffs, we couldn't see the water 100ft below.
We took the turnoff towards Waikawau bay this time, man there were some waves crashing into there!
Deep gravel on the roads made for some tricky riding, and I was glad to get past those spots.
The ride from Kennedy bay over to Corromandel was awesome, not being able to get any reference points with the low vis, the ride up just seemed to go on forever!
Was very cool with the tight switchbacks and the river running in full flow right next to the road all the way up.
The ride down the other side much the same, seeming to go on and on.
Pulled into Corromandel for a fuel up for both us and the bikes, very wet with huge grins.
I think the station attendants thought we were a little crazy, wet through and covered in mud, yet buzzing and laughing.
The 309 was good as ever, well swept and very smooth made for a LOT of fun!
Then it was onto the seal, boring!
Left Kanny at here friends place in Tairua and continued on, the wet seal making for some interesting moments,slowing down after a while as the back was getting a wee bit out of line.
Not good when you have about 15 kilos of wet gear strapped on the back.
The rest of the ride home was boring highway.
Now to wait and hear Kanny's side of things.
Good on Kanny for coming despite the bad forecast, and riding in such bad weather with a big grin on her face!
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Big ups to you Deano, for taking Kanny on a adv that I'm sure she will never forget.
What a wicked absolute awesome time i had.Started Friday 6-45am going to work.Was asked what are you doing here! HELLO its my shift.Their botch up how sad too bad.Was asked i could stay, time and half in lew day.No, sweetas Bumble and i have places to go.Foggy and cold i stop at Paeroa.Met up with a fellow biker.Yep started talking.He too was going my way.So he offered to ride with me.SWEET.Only being as far as the Tapu turn off so continued ahead.What scenery.Some curly corners
Get to Coromandel part ways.Set up for camp and have a look around. Saw some beautiful old Royal Enfeilds yum yum yum. SAT- Waiting outside tui 
hotel Deano arrives so Fletcher Bay here we come.What a hoot.
But didn't last too long.Arrived at Coro petrol station looking like drenched rats.Lady thought we were mad.Maybe mad i said but what a blast.Next stop for me was Tairua taking the 309 route.Totally enjoyed.Parted ways with Deano there.Got back today still grinning.Again thanks Deano that was brilliant 
For those that didn`t make it YOUR LOSS our gain:
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