Cycle: 55km

We intended to pack up camp and cycle to a nice spot around the bay but in the morning light the campsite and lodge looked nicer and the thought of brekkie and relaxing here was appealing (even with the skanky kitchen - the lady next to us in a motor home opened a fridge and saw a big cockroach!) We braved the kitchen to cook our usual porridge and then sat outside the lodge bar on wooden tables in the shade. We ate and then read our books which we both nearly finished the night before. We stayed in the shade for a while, bought snacks and water in the shop and headed off in bright sunshine.

Today was a magnificent cycle around a beautiful bay and then inland heading East through forest and hills. It was quite a hilly day but enjoyable and nice to be inland. We called in to Hicks Bay for refreshments, but there wasn't a lot there so we looked at the beaches instead. We met some surfer dudes who'd passed us earlier in the van and beeped us. By now the sun had gone and the wind had really picked up. We made it up and over the final hill but came down into a very strong headwind in which we struggled to keep our balance whilst being buffeted. Luckily our campsite was nestled into the base of the hill and out of the wind.

There was not a lot to do at the Te Araroa campsite - the promising "Most Eastern Cinema in the World" no longer operated. We bought super cheap fish and chips from a caravan and ate them on a bench. Scott wanted to go to bed at 6:10pm but I made him wait until the hour began with an 8! We walked to the beach and drank hot chocolate instead where we decided that we'd had enough of skanky campsites so changed tomorrow's destination from Tokomaru to the further afield Tolaga Bay. We had a long day ahead but were up for it!