NZ_2019...The Missing Link

[glitch]

Moki Tunnel aka The Hobbit Hole...before leaving the Forgotten World Hwy to tack further north.




















Ohura isn't exactly a lively place, looks like the Cafe closed about 50 years ago...





More winding asphalt under blue skies and golden-autumn sunshine on the way to Matiere to find the Aria-Matiere Rd. gravel towards Piopio.





Men and machines fueled, there's more delightful and traffic-free carving in the hills before it's it's back onto the beautiful gravel- ridges of the Waipuna and Awaroa Roads. Even more appreciated as it wasn't expected

[glitch]

A quick look at Kawhia on Doug's request got us down near the wharf...
...and a bit of a sad surprise.
Those who were along for the Hobbits & Bobbits Ride in Nov 2012 will most likely never forget the night at the Blue Chook Inn at Kawhia. A couple of pics for a quick memory-jog...















....and here is what's left of it




Using the mostly sealed main-route to Raglan, the shadows gets long a couple of hours later near Raglan, stop for the night.






There's a bit of a feeling of the New Zealand sun saying its good-byes, burning across the bay and turning on the colour big-time.

While lucky today, there seems to be no escaping a final wet-bum for tomorrow's run into Auckland, the blackbellies are gathering just off the coast.
No whingeing though...today was yet another pearler in the bag.

[Zuckerbaron]

Originally Posted by glitch

A quick look at Kawhia on Doug's request got us down near the wharf...
...and a bit of a sad surprise.
....and here is what's left of it

Never visit places again where you had a good time years before. Same happened to me in Ireland. Memories are always better than reality.

[Zuckerbaron]

Originally Posted by glitch

A perfect scene when a nice trip is reaches the finishing line.

[glitch]

Barely out of Raglan, the weather-frogs finally catch up with us, things get dark and damp...
A hesitant foray into Waimai Valley Rd. for the backdoor onto the coastal ridges, the high ground between the coast and Hwy22, results in a retreat + defeat.




Back to Hwy22 for a light drizzle cruise into Tuakau, then a straight commute on the SH1 Freeway to a carwash for a cleanup and fuel-topup, then the Rental Depot.
Hans' DR is already parked there, looks like he made the return in the dry.


https://isn.page.link/w1MV




All blue and calm again the next morning for the flight home.


KIA ORA!




Another big THANKS to Ant for adding his pics to this thread, lots of great shots there, mate




The fortnight also resulted in a wealth of material to "close the gap" and complete the 14.600km New Zealand Adventure Touring Route, to be found here: http://www.austouring.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=65