Woke up extra early at 8:30 as M S was to pick us up at 9 for a ride on the Haratonga Track. Glad I set an alarm. This was proposed by Mme J and I was very much looking forward to the day. As we left Ocean View Road, it was us, 2 bikes and, seated in the back on a fortunately brought bag of laundry, the one and only Mme Awesome.

M S turned out to have extensive biking experience, having toured through much of Asia, the Middle East and former Soviet Union countries with his equally sparkling partner. As we made our way through the day, he told great stories from the trip.

Originally, we were going to drop off the car and bike up and over the pass, hit the north trailhead and return on the track. Fate, it seems, was on our side as the addition of Mme Awesome and the chance location of some plants awaiting pickup at the hill’s crest meant we could be dropped off there with Mme Awesome driving back to Haratonga Beach where she was planning on spending the day until we met up later. Thank heavens! The pass turned out to be something I’d rather never experience on a bike.

The ride itself was lovely and still plenty hilly for Zeke. We took it slow, Kiwi style, stopping often to chat. Nathan, who keeps up the tracks here and who rented the bike I’m riding, said it’s a great track and I agree!

Early on, M S asked about us being in NZ. This led to a stunning amount of smaller stories: a question’s answer may be more than it might would first appear.

Riding through the manuka trees.

A few hours later, we reunited with Mme Awesome who was chilling in a mammoth putakowa tree. Following a brief swim, interrupted by a surprise visit by a couple of thresher sharks, we spent the afternoon basking in the beauty and chatting in the welcome shade.

View of the beach and islands.

Another terrific meal with M R and Mme J followed the splendid day. It was great to share it with M S and Mme Awesome.