After a few more endless hours of organizing, the Ralfs, at last, head east outta Papakura town and into the countryside. Feels good to be on the bikes, towing the same cart that crossed the USA 21 months ago. Traffic is moderate, drivers courteous. Terrain is flat (for now). Clevedon, then down to Kawakawa Bay at 20 miles. We recognize a few tree varieties: eucalyptos, sycamore, oaks. But most are new and intriguing, for they are so similar, yet different, to types at home. In a blur we could be in many USA settings, only we are riding on the left! Try it someday -- your first 10 miles will be a constant fight between old habits and that new voice in your head saying "stay left, yield to traffic on your left". And harder is remembering to look in the correct direction when crossing the street.
Quickly comes the first climb thru temporate forests. Not well graded. Ellen is walking, Gary's too macho. Second climb. The air is so thick. Maybe we are outta shape. But we finally crest the Hunua Hills and drop to the Firth of Thames at Matingarhi, which seems to be a roadsign and nothing more. But oh! the seabirds. Everywhere they occupy the tidal mudflats, squawking and frolicking. The balance of the afternoon is a pleasant, flat ride along coastal road, interrupted only by a much-needed beer and fish n' chips stop in Kaiaua and ending with a stunning sunset at day's end. Tonite's refuge is the Miranda Shorebird Center, a facility for both education and guest lodging.
46 miles
Bird of the day: Black Swan (a pest, but a beautiful one)
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