American wandering New Zealand

**StoneY** · 25th September 2009, 12:22

Originally Posted by longwayfromhome

A winter in Wellington is enough for anyone.
Ralph

Aucklands far wetter than we are in Welly (we just get wind) lol
Its been a mild one this year- rode every single day of it!

See ya Pete enjoy the NI and especially NORTH of Jaffa land, far north is bloody nice mate and youve chosen a good 4 months to wander it

**the vet** · 25th September 2009, 21:52

I did buy a ute while in Wellington and have sold it now on Trademe to a buyer in Auckland. I will be there tomorrow to drop off the ute, then onto a plane back to Upper Hutt to get on the bike and start my bike tour of the North Island with some specific places to visit....the bits I haven't been to yet.

Can't wait to get on the bike again with nothing but time and a few belongings.

**the vet** · 28th September 2009, 12:58

Two photos, one from the deck of house I was living in Brooklyn at sunrise, overlooking wellington, another of a flasher at the Wairarapa harvest festival exerting her influence over two unsuspecting and witless males. For more of the story, see the latest blog entry. Details my time in Wellington and travel since then.

**the vet** · 28th September 2009, 13:04

The snow topped south island (Kaikoura range I believe) mountains as seen from Cape Pallisar and one of the mountains in Tongariro. The other two near Matamata on my way up to Waiheke island

**the vet** · 28th September 2009, 13:08

Some from my trip around the East Cape. I started in Tauranga and went south, driving the coast around the East Cape down to Gisborne.

**Blackbird** · 28th September 2009, 13:08

Nice photos Pete - looks like one of the males has fainted

.

Good shots of the Kaimai range near Matamata too. Hope you enjoy Waiheke. Had a boozy weekend there a few years ago!

Geoff

**the vet** · 28th September 2009, 13:14

Waiheke was superb. After the first night of howling wind and rain, the weather turned beautiful for the remainder of my trip.

**the vet** · 28th September 2009, 13:17

And here I sit in the public library in New Plymouth on this rainy day.

**Blackbird** · 28th September 2009, 13:19

Oh man - that Kingfish.........

You might as well visit the Whangomomona pub and Forgotten Highway while you're in Taranaki! I stayed at the Belt Rd Motor Camp in NP a couple of times. Run by a biker and great views over the port. You can dine at the big game club just below the camp in the evening at a sharp price.

**george formby** · 28th September 2009, 15:07

Bring your map into my shop in Pahia if your up this way & I will show you some lovely detours. Boots Off, Kings Road, Pahia, Bay of Islands. Ooooh look, the sun has come out! Yippee.

**wayne708** · 28th September 2009, 15:25

Hi Pete, good to see your back on the road again, will look forward to updates on your travels.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to pop in and see you again before you left town.

And those kingfish are good fun, I have a 44kg one to my credit caught out at White Island a few years back, took one and a half hours to land on 18kg line.

**george formby** · 28th September 2009, 15:31

Originally Posted by wayne708

Hi Pete, good to see your back on the road again, will look forward to updates on your travels.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to pop in and see you again before you left town.

And those kingfish are good fun, I have a 44kg one to my credit caught out at White Island a few years back, took one and a half hours to land on 18kg line.

Noice fush! I got smoked by a kingie at the weekend on 24kg, popped 200lb trace after pulling a good 100mtrs of line off.

Wish moy boike would pull loike that

**the vet** · 29th September 2009, 15:25

I'll look you up when I get close.

Cheers, Pete

Originally Posted by george formby

Bring your map into my shop in Pahia if your up this way & I will show you some lovely detours. Boots Off, Kings Road, Pahia, Bay of Islands. Ooooh look, the sun has come out! Yippee.

**the vet** · 1st October 2009, 21:06

Apologize to folks who have been trying to email me...the one I had listed with Kiwibiker was outdated.....I forgot. Email has now been updated or the one in my signature can be used.

Although it has been very rainy, I've had a great few days in Taranaki. Visited the museum and the art gallery, walked around New Plymouth, took a run on the walkway, climbed Paritutu, tramped the White Cliffs walkway and took a ride out to the Republic of Whangamomonu today. Heading off to Taupo/Turangi and maybe Rotorua region after that....want to sample the North Island fly fishing!! Need to catch a few of the river Rainbows!