Day 10 Hamilton to Otorohonga

Was great to have another night in a real bed and lovely to see my aunt again and catch up with all. Headed to the library - posters all up, lovely staff but obviously 11am on a Sunday does not suit so it was a welcome sight to see my aunt and uncle turn up as well as a couple of locals.

Fortunately I already have some stories around the area from when I was around there before so wasn't so bad. After but of lunch hopped back on the bike to head south. And so the heavens opened and stayed that way for the next few hours. I was absolutely soaked even before I got to the other side of hamilton. I'm not sure whether it's the fact that you just want to get to the end of the ride but all drifts into oblivion as the rain forces it's way into every nook and cranny, the water starts dripping down your back and you curse the Fonterra milk trucks as they speed passed sending large waves of water over you as you hang on to the bike trying to keep it going straight and not into the traffic.

After 40km the rain eased off and a cool head wind took its place and I had already decided that Te Kuiti was not going to happen... Otorohonga started sounding tempting - it is Kiwiana central! The duller farmlands began to give way to a more lush landscape and you could feel the change towards the natural reserves. I pulled in to otorohonga at around 5pm set up camp, dried out gear, shower, food and met some lovely Dutch and Swedish tourists in the kitchen. Tomorrow brings added miles to make up but hopefully sun and what I know to be gorgeous scenery as I head towards Taumaranui.