Christmas Eve in NZ: Up Barrett Rd-15%

December 24, 2016

Our hosts, Patti and I met up with another group of locals for a ride this morning. It was a lovely ride except for the wind, the rain and the hills. All joking aside it was a lovely 47km ride with 2200ft of climbing toward Mt Taranaki. We rode up Barrett's Rd which was steep hitting 15% for a good portion of it. Like Vancouver Island this country is not flat however the climbing was worth it because we had a great downhill, down wind return ride. As usual we met for coffee this time at the Federal also know as the Fed. After cleaning up we went for a walk on the beach and thieving some Pohutukawa branches for Sara's wreath. Patti also clipped some flowers and made an arrangement that included some drift wood from the beach. Now they are onto preparing for tomorrow's classic Kiwi Christmas themed day. By the way Patti's bike has been found and is on its way to New Plymouth hopefully by tonight and in one piece. The bike arrived about 9PM local time by taxi and in one piece

Paritutu and the Tasman Sea from south of New Plymouth.

Our fellow cyclists today. Our hosts are sitting at the end of the table.

While at the beach we ran into these characters who already had a few adult beverages on board.

The final result is a wreath made of Pohutukawa aka NZ Christmas flowers.

Patti creating a bouquet of local flowers, greenery and drift wood.

Making orange vodka Jell-O shots for half time in the Christmas Day games. Stay tuned, I hope I survive.

Cheers from NZ to our fellow Sisters of No Mercy.

Today's ride: 47 km (29 miles)
Total: 119 km (74 miles)

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