Marty did some major engineering after purchasing two broom handles which meant we had an awning and I could lie in bed and watch the racing or have a bit of protection from the sun.
Very posh camping!
The weather wasn't too flash on Saturday but cleared for Sunday. Marty enjoyed yakking to old friends and looking at all the different machines either racing or on display.
Marty chatting to old friend Ken who had a wee off in the wet on Saturday and had to do some quick repairs
This Norvin took a wee slide down the track on Saturday
A nice old machine in the display tent
A rare Militaire engine owned by our friends Pete and Leo. They are looking for the rest of the bike.
We had a good weekend despite just being spectators.
A couple of weekends later was the Street racing at Paeroa, a mere 40 mins up the road. We took the truck up Saturday night so we could have an Indian meal with our friends and camp in the local rugby grounds ready for Sunday's races. Just after mid night Marty decided he had had enough of the mosquitoes biting him so we jumped from our bed in the back to the cab and drove home. We never went up on Sunday but have heard it was a good day.
We have hosted a few overseas guests during the last three weeks. first a couple from England who are touring the world on their Moto Guzzi. They have done all sorts of modifications to the bike so you can hardly recognise it as a Guzzi at all. Look out for it in your neck of the woods. They are off to Aussie after they leave NZ. After being in Christchurch for the big shake a couple of weeks ago they are probably looking for a little less excitement.
We then had an American couple from Vienna near Washington DC overnight. They are members of the Vincent Owners Club are are on a 4 week tour of NZ. We had a few local VOC members over for a BBQ so the boys could yak bikes. Unfortunatley they didn't have enough time for us to take them on a bike ride around the Coromandel. Next time!
Next was friends from Germany. Also members of the VOC. Marty took Holger on a short ride aoround the lower Coromandel Peninsula and then out fishing. He had to have a nanny nap before tea. He was worn out. He enjoyed the bike ride but wasn't used to all the corners as he has to ride 250kms from home to find one in Germany. Sadly they never caught any fish either.
We managed to climb the Mount while they were here. That is a good work out, especially as the only track currently open is the Hard Track. Slips have closed the easier tracks. But we made it and the views were spectacular.
There was a surf life saving competition on at the main Mount beach
We all made it to the top
Marty and I take a break on the way down.
To finish the day in style we spent the afternoon at Waihi beach. The water was lovely and warm but the surf wasn't the greatest. Still we all had fun either body surfing or using the boogie boards.
Marty soaks up the last of the days sun
Waihi Beach with major Island in the background.
This weekend the girls and I were supposed to do the Tongariro Crossing but the weather turned very nasty so we have postponed it till Spring. We've had a lazy weekend with just one lot of visitors. 9 Germans on a motorcycle tour run by friends called in to take a tour of the orchard. I managed to fill them up with coffee and chocolate cake before they headed off to Te Kaha.
So that's us. Maybe we will go fishing tonight f the wind drops. Fresh snapper would be lovely.
