Date: 25 Nov
Start: Tuakau
Finish: Kaitaia
Accommodation: Kaitaia Motor Lodge
Km's travelled today: 389
Total Km's travelled: 3,684
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With the sun shining, everyone made their way to the bikes in good time. Mike was heading off early to Auckland Harley Davidson as his back tyre decided to not last the distance for this trip. We all headed off shortly after to join him there while we waited for the tyre to be fitted. The service at Auckland Harley Davidson was great and there may have been some extra dollars spent by others while we waited.
Gloria got a little confused with not one, but two pink Harleys, but she soon sorted it out.
Then it was off to battle the morning Auckland traffic. Surprisingly the traffic flowed really well, and was less hassle than the country vehicles.
We turned off for a quick pit stop, but who would have thought that a town with a Motorway off ramp wouldn't also have an on ramp! We took a bit of a scenic ride past Puhoi before running into a gravel road, so turned around and came back. In all the km's we have travelled over the last 11 days, this is the first time the bikes have doubled back (can't say the same for the van though, lol)
As usual, while we were parked up we met some more lovely people who all had a cancer story to tell.
Then it was back on the road. Today was a long, long day. We were feeling the rough roads in the van, the bikes were getting hammered. Gravel, stop/go's, more gravel, roadworks, detour, more gravel.... it was constant. A stone wedged itself into Danny's drivebelt, but luckily worked it's way out again. Then, when the roadworks stopped, the road surface became terrible. Everyone's teeth are feeling a bit rattled tonight. I think the accommodation smells like Deep Heat in nearly every room.
No one had the energy to cook, so it was pizzas all round, and more home cooked baking, then off for yet another early night. The pace will slow down a bit now, except for our 6.30am start tomorrow so we can get to the Cape Reinga signpost before the tourists, where we have a treat in store organised by Magou.
Where's Gloria tonight?
Joy Smith
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With cancer treatment, there are good days and there are bad. Some days you think you will not be able to get through and yet fly through easily. Then others can hit like a rockslide. Although the treatment regime may be the same, each day needs to be taken as it comes. What you may have handled yesterday might just be too heavy today. That's where an understanding support network comes in to play.
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