Racing

 

Watching others race today.

We came an interesting way home. Pirate wasn't feeling up to a ride , so we reconnoitred a route we may do tomorrow.   He is now going to go properly gluten free to see if his innerds will calm down!!

We saw this post box on our way...

Generally these are a model of the real house...I would love to see it to see if it is!!

Bridge at Upokongaro

 We had a ride from our coach's house (keeping the bikes there is better, not in a car that could sit here getting very hot, and safer too) down to the Mountains to Sea path by Dublin Bridge ( sorry no photo yet!) and up through Papaiti to Upokongaro.

This was where there once was a ferry to Upokongaro. There was a shop, and there still is a school, café, pub and church.

When we left Whanganui in February 2020 everyone was eagerly awaiting the moving of the bridge from a field by the river....but last minute technical difficulties meant that we missed it!

It is beautiful...I am still not keen on heights...and drops....but I did ride over it, and on the return, held hands with a French tourist from Dijon to help her walk across... mutual assistance!!

A model of a Moa...the equivalent for this continent of and ostrich...but bigger!

And on our way back.... couldn't resist this...a postbox!!

It is a relief that this bridge is there...no need to ride for 10 km up the state highway!!

last day in Blenheim

A month in Blenheim has gone quickly..we are now noting things to do Next Time.....
The friends we have been staying with have been away for a week, so we have had more chances to get to know local people better (and vice versa).
We found a local community enterprise cafe called Joocy Loocy NZ, sited in an old furniture shop just off the centre of town (John Street). The coffee , food, and welcome are good! There is one large section with trestle tables for artists/students/school students to work or do homework. Small businesses can rent desk,computer and printer space by the hour or week...good for small start-ups.
Artworks are around the place for sale and herb plants too.
Every community needs a place like this.

In praise of Kiwi postboxes....

Marvelous individuality.....and of course sometimes you move the postbox.....

AND the house........