Granny's Got a Bike: A quick arrival into Waihi Beach

The quick arrival into Waihi Beach was aided by a very 2km steep decline into the beachside village. Fabulous, but its the only way out of Waihi Beach so I am trying not to think about the exit on Thursday. It's gunna be a drag!

So morning in Karangahake Gorge looked a tad dismal. Grey skies, everything looking a tad damp as light rain over night. But it was expected, so raincoat on and away we go!

We crossed back over the river and headed back to the tunnel. It had very low lighting so turned on my bike light. There were little rivers on both side of the track, but was nicely surprised when I popped out the other end of the tunnel to be greeted by sunshine - almost total blue skies! How? but who cares, pedal onwards.

it turned out to be a beautiful day for cycling, tho wind a tad gusty at times. The trail followed alongside the Ohinemuri River, which was rushing inland. I had to track it in Maps to see that it joins the Waihou River, which then flows north into the sea at Thames.

it evoked memories of cycling alongside rivers in Japan, bush on both sides of the river as it bounced over its rocky bed. But soon we were back into farming country, with herds of black and white cows munching on knee-high green grass.

As in Karangahake, Waikino was littered by decaying evidence of the gold mining carried out over a 100 years ago. It seems everything was just abandoned when it became unprofitable. Now it helps in the tourist industry.

The Goldmine train was at Waikino station about to leave, but I hadn't planned on catching it today, so went into the cafe for cake and coffee.

Back on the trail again, I was expecting a hilly section, but thankfully only a few sharp short ridges. we soon arrived into Waihi, where I stopped in a windy park for a quick lunch snack. Bought some food at New World (Coles) before heading off on Highway 2 to the Waihi Beach turnoff. The instant serenity once leaving the highway was amazing!

This section is not part of the rail trail, but I thought a couple of days by the beach would be nice. So after my quick arrival, I checked into my basic cabin and after a nice hot shower and a bit of lay down, I strolled down to the end of the street and stepped onto the fine sand of Waihi Beach.

It was calmer than I had expected, as the blue pacific ocean stretched out before me! there was only a gentle roll of waves coming into the shore, but the sky was blue, the air almost warm and the sand was easy to walk upon. There were large black-backed sea gulls - or are they Pacific Gulls - pecking at some shells that had been rolled up onto the beach. A silver gull tried to compete but these are so much smaller and didn't stand a chance.

so all good in Aotearao!