817 Km / 508 Miles
I slept terribly last night, understandably. My mind is racing! I was up at 5am and on the phone to Jetstar in regards to my credit note for my last flight. 1.5 hrs later I am through to them and they have told me they will refund my flight to my credit card as I had already brought a new flight, but I needed to wait 30 days for the original flight money. I was now down to the last of my money in my bank account and had no back up with my UK bank account as that was still blocked. I figured I’d get to Perth and then figure it out. So far my new flight was confirmed and Jetstar were flying all this week and borders weren’t likely to close until the weekend. I had to get a move on and head South to get back North!
The wind was even worse today, it was strong, there was some rain and a lot of uphill. My body was so tired from lack of sleep. I wanted to make it to Gisborne, but that was 180km away, so I knew I had to split it up in two days, so I decided on Tokomaru Bay as the stop for the night. The supposed 5 hours took almost 7. The ride was a daze, I was in a weird mental space and in no way present in where I was. I biked past Te Puia Springs, which originally was on my places to stop and enjoy a walk and the hot springs, but I didn’t think I’d be able to get myself back on the road after trying to relax, so I cycled straight past and my only focus was getting to Tokomaru Bay!
I was late leaving Te Araroa because of the phone calls I was having to make, but got to Tokomaru before dark and was very excited to find a Foursquare grocery store and an ATM! I needed some cash for the next few days – I didn’t want to get screwed again. And food, I was excited for some real food.
The campground was the back yard attached to a cafe, but it was huge, and apart from one movie crew group staying there (Some local film crew) there was hardly anyone there. They were staying in the little cabins there, so I went to the back of the field where there were a couple of campervans parked. I set up between a couple of trees, made some food and then headed to the communal area to use the wifi, and sort out some transport to Auckland.
One more day on the bike, and then I was getting a bus from Gisborne to Napier, and then Napier to Auckland. The next concern was whether the bus would let me put my bike on! As bikes weren’t allowed from Gisborne – Auckland. But they were allowed on the single decker buses that went to Napier. And from Napier to Auckland it was also a single decker and bikes would be taken on board at the driver’s discretion. Surely with COVID 19 they were gonna be lenient. I didn’t chance the bus directly to the airport so took the two single decker buses. (Guess its understandable not being able to get a bike on a double decker bus with limited storage – however surely going to the airport you would expect a ton of luggage?!?!)
One more day of wind, before the cyclone was suppose to hit at its strongest tomorrow night! I had a campground booked in Gisborne and was more than ready to start making my way back to Perth – I was disappointed at cutting my trip short, but I knew I’d be back at a better time. I had enjoyed the quiet campgrounds and island though – despite being oblivious to the global pandemic that was unravelling around the world.
“Keep going. Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.”