Day 12 Waihau Bay – Te Araroa

Tear drops

Today was a tough day, not necessarily physically, although the 55kms included steep climbs and occasional big hills, and not because of the early morning downpour either, but it was because today would’ve been my lovely Mum’s 86th birthday that made it an emotional day for me. It has been almost three months since she passed away, and there is not a single day goes by when I don’t think of her and miss her.

Between the rain drops and my tear drops it was a hard day to get through, but I believe I owe my determination to my Mum. I am forever thankful that despite not always approving of my antics, she never held me back from going on my life’s adventures. And today was one of those adventures I would relish the chance to tell her about.

Rain drops

We had our campsite and bags pretty much packed up by 8am when the heavens opened without warning! No drizzle or soft rain, just a bit of a grey sky morning, then all of a sudden it was lashing. We ran for cover under the amenities block and could do nothing but wait it out. We watched as the spray from the passing traffic, and in particular the logging trucks, got heavier and heavier – there was no way it was safe for us to be on the road.

We’d almost resigned ourselves to the fact that we would have to stay another day at the Waihau Bay campsite (not that appealing as the shop/café had next to no supplies), when the rain stopped as suddenly as it had started. Within moments the surface water miraculously dried up so we fuelled up and by midday we were on our first steep climb.

The ride today, for the most part, took us inland and as much as we have absolutely loved the coastal route, it was great to have a change of scenery. With the potential risk of more rain it was heads down and full steam ahead, stopping way less than normal.

We got caught in only one 10-15 minute light shower, but by the time we rode into Hicks Bay for a late lunch we’d dried off. And as we reached the holiday park at Te Araroa (NZ$30 per night) the sun was back on our side.

It was time to crack out our collapsible wine glasses for a celebratory drink, and to toast my late Mum.