Well we are in Rotorua, home to bubbling volcanic eruptions, mudpools and hot water. We have had a couple of horrible days skating, feet are playing up but we are here...
so let me recap.
Day 7. Whangarei to Waipu cove - 52km
Whangarei seemed a long time ago. from there we folllowed the coast all the way to Waipu Cove. Adam and I were on the last leg and we both got super excited when we saw the sea. There are some amazing jagged islands here, and it looked amazing. A beautiful beach, huge waves and a yet another campsite full of kids who wanted to skate on our crazy boards.
Day 8. Waipu Cove to Warkworth - 62km
A Horrible day. The hottest yet. Skated down some of the most scary roads I have ever been on. I managed to wear through a brand new shoe in one day. Just google earth the road between Wellsford and Warkworth, then imagine it a 12% angle. So so scary. We camped at a place called Sandspit and met the best bunch of people. The two owners donated to us, gave us a reduction and a discount card for loads of other sites. We also met a couple called Derek and Elle who gave us their house in Auckland for the following night. We juat had to skate there in one day!
Day 9. Warkworth to Mairangi Bay - 53
We followed lovely roads that ran along State Highway 1, it was so nice to get off the chipseal. We met up with Grason at Orewa and got given a load of free t-shirts and stuff from UndergroundSkates. We had mexican for lunch then pushed on towards Auckland. Along the way we hooked up with Craig and bombed some of the fastest hills I've ever been on. Truly, truly scarily fast. Craig was going to do a similar skate journey across NZ, so it was good to finally meet him. We skated all the way to Mairangi Bay and the beautiful home of Derek and Elle. House-sitting for them Jesse; the biggest Maori guy ever. He was the funniest guy ever and we had an amazing night. I think he is going to buy a van and come and join the circus that is SkateNewZealand in Wellington.
Day 10. Mairnagi Bay, over the ferry to South Auckland - 22km
Street skating agian. The road down to the ferry was fun, fun, fun. Adam and I chilled on the ferry while the others drove over the bridge. We then skated up Queen Street back to Cross Street Studios. We then drove 15km South out of the city and skated back into town. It was Sunday and the Great South Road was pretty quiet. We spent the next day chilling out, getting 'The Van' serviced and updating photos. It was good to be back in Auckland, but we wanted to keep skating.
Day 12. South Auckland to Tuaku - 54km
We got up and walked into town for a radio interview at Fleet fm. Then picked up 'The Van' from the garage and drove south to where we stopped 2 days before. It was absolutly pouring with rain and we were skating through huge puddles. As the sun came put it dried and we were all feeling good. Afterwards everyone felt that we are finally in proper shape. Oh, and I got hit by a car. As you do... We camped right out at Port Waikato, I thought I had really sweaty feet, but infact it was raining.
Day 13. Tuaku to Ngaruawahia - 64km
We drove back to where we finished and skated across to re-join State Highway 1. The whole of the day we were skating on the roughest top-seal yet. all day. This is when it becomes a mind-game. Searingly hot sun and rough road for miles and miles. On the downhill sections you are pushing 5 or 6 times and rolling about a metre. so you do the same again and again. If you do get any speed up, your feet go numb. At one point a police car pulled up infront of me and a grinning Sheldon got out. People had phoned worried about our safety. We chatted for a while and the police were completely happy with what we were up to. The even offered to take Sheldon back to where they picked him up! We had been getting text messages all day about staying at Hamilton with Josh and his family. So glad we did!
Josh and his mate Mark, along with the rest of his fantastic family, seem to be running the most amazing boardbuilding company. check out bombadierlongboards and show them some love.
Josh's parents made some amazing food, Adam got a wrestle in, then got beaten at arm wrestling by Josh's dad. We did washing and slept well.
Day 14. Ngaruawahia to 10km East of Tirau - 65km
we drove back out to Ngaruawahia and skated into town where we met Josh (snazzy socks fella!), Mark Tim. Mark and Josh were going to skate with us through Hamilton and onto Cambridge. So 5 of us skated through town and out the other side. It was really amazing sight. I love it when there are lots of us, I would never want this to be a solo skate. My 3rd shoe finally died on me and I managed to get 2 replcements from Cheapskates for $45! We camped in a random field and had an early night. Adam took pictures.
Day 15 10km East of Tirau to Rotorua - 64km
We knew we had to get to 'The Stinky City' in one day, the roads were truly horrible again. I got a fresh blister and Julia walked 14km in flip-flops (Jandals!) I think cabin fever was setting in. We managed to get to town and I did a radio interview surrounded by bubbling mud and hot pools. The campsite we are staying hat has steam cookers and 3 hot spas, perfect for achy feet. We went down to the shore and dug holes in the sand which filled up with blisteringly hot water. The whole town smells of sulphur and we are having a rest day here today. Tommorrow we are heading for Taupo.
nat
