I cruise into that River adventures campsite in Pipiriki to the astonishment of Lawrence Mike and Hayden, three seriously fit riders from Chch. They have passed me a dozen times over the last few days as fresh as daisies. It's a hare and tortoise pursuit and I doggedly catch up. They give me a cheer as I ride past the pros washing down and polishing their machines. They are sitting outside the old schoolhouse on a barbie table having a beer and chips. They are impressed. I glow a little more from the encouragement: I'm already glowing. Lawrence is so amused by my saddlebag repairs he snaps a picture to share with his cycle mechanic friend. Mike was the first rider to slow and talk toe on a flat stretch somewhere past Arapuni. We talked sore behinds for a few minutes then, struggling to keep up, I urged him to leave me. He disappeared in a moment. Lawrence listened to me rattle off, " When Tom and Alice bought the farm
The brake made their bed
And quardle, wardle oodle ardle the magpies said"
As I matched past a couple of magpies on an easy uphill. (Dennis Glover)
So much for recces earlier. They saved my life as they caught me stopped drinking at a T intersection. I had glanced at the TA. Sign then turned the wrong way. They saw and shorted me back from couple of hundred metres away on a still morning. Hayden is a stoic and suffering behind issues you wouldn't wish on your enemies.
Later Lawrence and I sat and chatted about how difficult having kids was and how proud we both were of hours. His son had shared a generous gift with his wife and him recently as had Dylan with Sam and I. In our case matching New Google phones. The very one I am relying on now. They were so unexpected I couldn't initially was happening as I saw Sam unwrapping hers. I almost started hyperventilating! I told Lawrence it was every son's duty to annoy their father. I gave my Dad grief for a few years but time heals and we mature. Love you Dylan.
At Pipiriki we had to recharge our trackers 4 batteries. There were cyclists everywhere and wonderful overwhelmed staff who were so friendly and obliging. It looked like they would be charging all night. I remember a yarn about my father and a relief going to the fish and chip shop on High St after a couple of bererages. Dad never drank much, this is creating the vibe. The shop was packed. Possibly a Friday when Catholics had to eat fish. They were queing up outside. Dad waited until a big order was called as ready and shouted out it was his, paid and was gone. I noticed the few chargers not being supervised in the dining area showed which batteries were charged. I quickly had that sorted. We camped on the old rugby field. I whipped my tent up using the washing line as a stay for the main guy rope and a kiwi in a campervan kindly offered me his leftover fish basket. I gratefully accepted and wolfed them down. I'd already had a banana milkshake, a Bundaberg ginger beer (the rum makes the rabbit bite the dog) and a Heineken. Sorry Mummy. The first one since the wobbles in Matamata I promise. Just being sociable.
Last to bed around 9.45 pm.
The sign here was taken as I stopped to recce Pipiriki. The family had a massive pigdog which was taking an unhealthy interest in me. The owner assured me it was friendly, about as friendly as the owner's one in our Paihia accomodation on the way up north, which gave me a nip. I kept on absolutely still and established my credentials by complimenting them on the massive pile of wattle (boom!) wood in the front yard. They agreed it got pretty cold in Pipiriki in winter. An entrepreneur could make a fortune retailing these signs to school staff rooms. More PC than 'Bitch and Stitch''
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