Thames used to be a gold exploitation city. Colons have extracted something like 4000 tonnes of gold. There are mines and many historical building here as the activity must have been intense at one point of history.
As Fred told me (Who is Fred), the ride to Thames start with a big hill. It seems that I’m climbing the Waipoua Forest all over again :-).
Going up hill again!
After that first hill I arrived to this place where a river passes through the forest. Let’s have a short break and visit the surrounding, shall we? 🙂
That grass looks so fluffy!
Here is the river I was talking about earlier 🙂
Let’s leave now.
My favorite shot. The ground is full of plants like this. With the sun rays beaming through the trees, the colors becomes great!
A little while later...
That means: no free camping around here…
- Two Turkeys are fighting to prove who's worth it:
- hey look, I’m the best!
- No that’s me!
- Are you kidding me?! I’m so much more perfect!
- But I'm stronger!
While others fights...
I finally reached the coast. This village is really quiet.
This road is very enjoyable to ride on. Hence, there is absolutely no traffic.
Ok, I know, it’s a bit the same… Coast, sea, coast, ocean but hey, that’s New Zealand 🙂 That’s beautiful everywhere.
Another village. I guess this is a community hall, I’m not sure… A kind of place for where local people meet, organise events. I should learn more about it…
The building looks great. There is a connection to nature somehow.
That’s a funny sculpture :-). For once, the road is mainly flat but actually I’m riding against the wind since an hour. I’m struggling, really.
Another interesting house with all those “wheel protections” on the wall. Recycling!
Enjoying 20km of good tail wind!
Getting there.
Thames is on the other side of that bridge.
Thank you!
It’s the “big” city of the peninsula. Around 5000 people live here, roughly the same size as Kaitaia. Let’s look for a place where to stay now.
On the way to the campsite
I arrived to the camp, it’s only 2pm so I have plenty of time to go to the swimming pool… but… ok, maybe not.
There are beautiful flowers around this camp.
The reception told me there is track which starts directly from this camp. There is some mines’ tunnels along and a good view from the top. I will do that this afternoon then, cool 🙂
See you in a bit!