Not the best nights sleep as I awoke at three am hot and sweaty as the room was so hot. Hot was not to be the order of the day today as the forecast was very different. I knew from Team Auckland that bad weather was forecast for the day with lots of rain, wind and storms.

We got away early after a nice plate of eggs and bacon. Nice and flat route today passing through Waitakaruru at the 6 km point and Ngatea at 19.6 km.

The route took us out past a river and we followed a canal for some distance.  We rode past what I think was a small stand off kauri trees.

 

 

The farmland was rich and green with ominous clouds moving over the hills.

We took an alternative route to Te Aroha mainly because we missed a turn earlier on. The traffic was heavier and somewhat closer!

Once in Te Aroha I noted this awesome drinking fountain!

A few other shots from around town.

Starving hungry we found a funky cafe named Ironique. Top food and an amazing toilet!

It started raining whilst at the cafe and it was then that Sue realised she had left her rain jacket at Miranda!!  Bad timing.

Onwards we marched with only 40 km remaining. We were motivated wanting to beat the worst weather.

Certainly it was considerably cooler than yesterday and riding flat roads were a reprieve and a chance for some recovery.

At a couple of spots the side gusts were very strong temporarily unnerving me.

Arriving at Matamata we located our hotel and met the friendliest manager Arnel who was very enthusiastic about us and our ride.

We walked into town for dinner. Great meal at an Italian restaurant. Nice cool drink

 

Supermarket for breakfast supplies. Sue did this!!

Then it was so windy outside. The loaner umberella did not stand up to the elements!

Hobbits are famous here.

So walkimg back we got drenched. Nearly all my casual clothes are wet and I sit here in my shorts. The motel car park is flooding badly and the wind is picking up.

Tomorrow we head to Rotorua and we will decide in the morning when to leave to minimise the weather, if at all possible.