Still in Hari Hari

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  Hari Hari, New Zealand
Thursday, March 22, 2007

Well - aint life just so much fun? Last night, after tea in the tea shop and a shower and having gotten all my clothes out to wear that night (the motel backpackers accomodation gives you a clean base sheet and pillow, private room, but no blanket), I wandered into the public bar for a pint or two of Macs Gold. I'm sipping my cold beer, feeling good with myself about my cycling achievements, when I'm approached by young Barry - a local gold miner. Do I have to move on tomorrow, would I not like a good day out with him checking his 'claim', seeing the seals? Well how could I resist such an invitation, so arrangements were made (which including postponing a cow killing for a day!) to meet at 5.45 the following morning!

So this morning, off we rock with Chuck the dog on the back of the van with the quad bike. Having bumped our way down to the beach, and then quad biked a little way along, we veer into the sub-tropical bush at the edge of the beach and turn up at John's little cabin, with all mod cons and get a cup of breakfast tea. Then further on up the beach we pass the seals, admire the views and pan for gold. On the beach it's gold dust rather than the nuggets of wild west tv - and there was gold in them thar sand dunes - but not much unfortunately. Each day it changes depending on what the sea deposits or sweeps away.

So after that, Barry went and forraged for fresh green lipped mussels off the rocks and it was back to John's for a feed, cold beer and great conversation - at 10.30 in the morning. The sun was shining, the sky blue and it was a truly memorable morning. It is so good to be alive!!

Back along the beach by quad bike (with Chuck also perched on behind) and then tonight I'm being cooked roast lamb!

Tomorrow I'll be back on the bike and back on the road, but what a wonderful interlude.

Take care all of you,

CASxx

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