My Motorcycle Diary

**Ms Piggy** · 16th February 2005, 22:02

Ok, here's the beginnings. It may end up being quite long but you don't have to read it if you don't so just let me post away to my hearts content.

**bugjuice** · 16th February 2005, 22:07

good luck and have fun!! keep it rubber side down..

**crashe** · 16th February 2005, 22:10

well this should be fun to read......
that is when she finally starts the diary...lol

**Ms Piggy** · 16th February 2005, 22:11

On the Lynx! Crossing at 8am. I met a couple of other bikers, 1 of them very kindly helped me tie down Betty using the fabulous tie downs I was loaned by Bung Bung (cheers!). I ended up sitting with this chap and also bumped into an old work colleague. A nice relaxing crossing.

I met up with Chick’n’Charge at her place, I had got my arrival time slightly wrong and so she was still in her jammies when I 1st texted her but fully geared up by the time I arrived C’n’C and I rode down to catch Stevo and see what he was up to, he was still working on his quad bike and so wasn’t able to ride over with us to Nelson.

The ride to Nelson was pretty relaxing, a little bit of traffic around, a few sweeping corners and 1 jerk who insisted in tail gating C’n’C. We rode directly to the place I was staying, Tahuna Beach Accommodation Park http://tahunabeachholidaypark.co.nz/ and I checked in. C’n’C and I went for lunch at a café nearby (see pics) and then I farewelled her.

Tahuna Motor camp is a great place and the room I had was very tidy with enough amenities to be able to actually cook your own meal if you wanted – fridge, hotplate, dishes, cutlery, a telly and I was quite close to the loos and showers but not tooooooooo close. Went for a swim at the beach – lovely!!! (See pics) Day 1 over! I was on holiday and doing what I love!!! But feeling a little lonely.

**Ms Piggy** · 16th February 2005, 22:22

Ok so up and breakfast of cereal, yoghurt and coffee. I rode through to Nelson and tried to get a street map, the impossible task! 2 Shell stations and neither had 1, so I had to rely on texted directions from Nordie Boy and streets with no names! Eventually I found his place and settled in for a bit of a natter and a cuppa. About 11.30ish we headed off for a trip over the mighty Takaka Hill Road! One of the roads I had on my list to ride! We rode through via Moutere and Motueka (a much nicer route I thought) and stopped in Motueka for a quick bite to eat and carried on. The fantastic Takaka Hill – yahoooooooooo! Not a lot of traffic and (as Nordie Boy has already mentioned) those that were about pulled over! Miracle! Nordie Boy covered the ride very well, including us meeting up with rdrzcbr who was helping his poor mate who had just binned off his Ducati.

So after a bit of a rest and a drink at a café in Takaka (see pics) Nordie Boy was on his way and I went onto the backpackers. Gazebo backpackers http://www.pohara.com/gazebo/ (see pics). I also had a meal at Wholemeal Trading Co. a very good café/bar. Takaka was really just a place to sleep and I was pretty tired but still feeling a bit lonely.

**Ms Piggy** · 16th February 2005, 22:30

Up earlyish and off to Farewell Spit. Nice sweeping roads and lovely scenes and a absolutely gorgeous backpackers called The Inlet http://www.goldenbayindex.co.nz/backpackers.htm.
This was by far my favourite place for accommodation on the ride. It is set into the native bush and Tui flit around like black birds, it was tidy, the bed was comfy and the owners were very friendly and relaxed but very professional as well. And look at that sunset!!! (see pics)

Another swim and I was even able to have a bit of a skinny dip as there was no one on the beach for a while. Tee hee! The ride was nothing really to speak of as it wasn’t that far to go from Takaka. I had a meal that night at the only restaurant called The Old School Café, the disadvantage of being on the bike was the limited room to take food to cook and stuff that wouldn’t perish either of course.

**Ms Piggy** · 16th February 2005, 22:35

This morning I left The Inlet at around 9am I think. I was getting all geared up to go and b/c The Inlet is a no shoes house I had left my boots at the doorstep, I went to put 1 of my boots on and something that felt like sticks was in the toes. I took it off again and stuck my hand in to fish them out and thought better of it and gave my boots a shake, the “sticks” fell down the boot but then leapt back up into the toe! I shook it harder and banged it on until a HUGE spider came out! (see pic!!!) YUK!

A cruising day, destination Motueka. On my way from Takaka I made a diversion to Pohara (9kms from Takaka on the coast) and had a swim, lovely, lovely, lovely! I also stopped in Takaka and had a chat to my flatmates Dad (he owns the bike shop in Takaka, Quiet Revolution) he was telling me that Betty had been sitting at the Takaka BP for about 6yrs before he bought her. So she was coming home (kinda).

A very hot day so I took it really slow going back over the Takaka Hill Rd, I kept thinking of that Duke all over the paddock and decided as much as I’d like a ride in a Helicopter that wasn’t the way I’d be doing it! I arrived at my next accommodation spot, The Happy Apple Backpackers http://www.happyapplebackpackers.co.nz/ Very tidy and friendly. I even got a little room on my own! I ended up doing a lot of my washing cos my jeans were just about standing up straight! Ewwwwwwww!!! A feed of marinated mussels, white bread and a 750ml Heineken – perfect! Still feeling a little lonely *sigh*

**Ms Piggy** · 16th February 2005, 22:36

I promise. I'm glad the pics seem ok, although my camera seems to sometimes not centre things properly...nothing to do with the operator of course!

**StoneChucker** · 16th February 2005, 22:43

Thanks for the first installment. I'm looking forward to going myself now, and especially the biggie next March '06.

I gotta say, that spider would have freaked me out. I don't mind spiders, but I don't like to be surprised by them, in my clothing (except white tails, they meet their maker everytime I see one)

I love the sound of the solitary experience, just you - the bike - the beaches - the Inlet and the native flora..............
But, it's also nice shared with somone.

Keep em coming

**Ms Piggy** · 16th February 2005, 22:50

Originally Posted by bugjuice

good luck and have fun!! keep it rubber side down..

Ummmmmmm, helloooooooooooooooooooooo. Where have you been mate. I've just been and have been posting as I've gone!

LB · 17th February 2005, 03:57

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Good write-up CSL, looking fwd to the next instalment. Wonderful sunset.

(makes mental note to always check boots for spiders even if not left outside)
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**Joni** · 17th February 2005, 06:34

Sounds amazing!!
Sound slike you had a good trip over all... next installment of story eagerly awaited...

**Pwalo** · 17th February 2005, 07:07

Hell I'm jealous. Looks like you had an amazing time. Way back Claire and I did the Picton/Blenhiem area on my RD400. Still looks the same!

You'll have to get some stickers for the RS. I'm sure that they came out in black as standard, so perhaps someone has a sticker set.