Today was the second full day at Paihia and it was a total “no riding” day with a leisurely start, down to the town for breakfast again in a cafe overlooking the harbour and a walk around to Waitangi.

The Treaty House and the grounds are now all fenced off requiring anyone visiting to go through the tourism centre and of course the ticket to be clipped on the way.. Personally I find this somewhat sad as feel that the grounds should be open and accessible to everyone without there being a charge, despite the fact that the grounds is owned by one of the tribes.

I had walked up the road past the Treaty House onto the edge of the golf course which is in a prime spot overlooking the bay and met a local young maori guy and his girlfriend who were going fishing off the rocks below the Treaty House. They just walked through a gate that was open for contractors, so I thought that if it is good enough for them then it is good enough for me as well! All I wanted to do was to get close to the flagstaff and take a photo.

The grounds which are all in lawns sloping down to the sea are really beautiful and it was great to just sit down on a rock on top of a cliff and take it all in. Absoultely stunning.

Unfortunately the day was not quite the same as rain showers tended to come through as well as a bit of wind, but when the sun came out it was nice and warm.

After taking a few photos and then walking back to Paihia, with a compulsory stop for coffee and a brownie, it was back to the motel for a pool day and a nap!

With it being Labour weekend, there is definately more people about so obviously a number have taken the Friday off as well.

Today is the Coastal Classic which is a famous yacht race from Auckland to Russell, the start being in Auckland at 9.30am. There is a large fleet including the classics of Lion NZ and Steinlager 2 and I have been following the progress during the day and the racing tri Vodafone has broken it’s own record and is in in under 6 hours. As I sit at the resturant in Paihia writing this blog, I can see other yachts arriving.. The wind was obviously very favourable. Before I left the motel I saw on the news some guy doing it on a skiff powered by a wind kite! Mader that a cyclist doing a lap of NZ!

I could have gone on today, but I am glad that I have had the extra day here as when the tour really “starts” I want to keep moving and I am still ahead of my schedule prepared in the comfort of my lounge at home!

I have booked accommodation at Kaitaia for tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, so am hoping to be able to get a bus to the Cape on Sunday, otherwise I will need to stay another day. It is 119k to Kaitaia, so hopefully can get there early enough to get the bus to the Cape arranged, although I suspect that it there are parts which are going to be quite lumpy! Looking forward to it though as from the map profile SH10 goes through some beach areas which I understand are very nice.

Total ks for the day on the bike, 0!