Tauranga – Taupo – New Plymouth

What a huge day today, rain and slips everywhere made for a long day behind the wheel. Was great as I got to catch up with my cuz Mason who lives in Taupo. I haven’t seen for years and he is going to run with me when I come past. I can’t wait for that. Stopping along the way I get to meet alot of very nice people who always have a smile to welcome me into their towns.
I found alot of hills today which I will have to deal with in the weeks to come. Also I will run way out the back in some awesome NZ countryside. I drove down the Lost Highway Road, which had so so many turns it was like being on a roller coaster. I think it will be more fun running down it, no cars and real NZ bush all around. You can see in these photos at the moss growing on the fences  just how good the air must be – you don’t get that near a highway. The tunnels were narrow and like something out of the old mining days – Love it!!!!!

Finally I made it to New Plymouth where the Bublitzs were waiting. The love I got from Matilda, Izzy, Sal and Dave was amazing. It is great to be back close to some of my best and dearest friends in this wonderful world.