NZ Holiday - Richmond NZ and a bike ride on the Great Taste Trail

Bike Ride to Brightwater  - 16th October
Any idea what sort of tree this is?
After the previous day's long drive to Golden Bay it was good to get out on bikes. We hired our wheels from Village Cycles in Richmond, a great traditional cycle shop. The boss, Jim Matthews, was very friendly and helpful. He let us have the two bikes for $40. We had considered buying bikes and carrying them with us on our travels but we would need a bigger vehicle and some form of rack. Jim sells second hand bikes and also offers a guaranteed buy-back. Worth talking to if you are in the area and looking for a bike. Jim is an ex-racing mechanic with the NZ Olympic Team so my bike flew along, well, with the wind behind on the way home anyway.
Taking the Great Taste Trail
We headed off on the local bike path, the Great Taste Trail, to Brightwater. Not very far but there was a very, very stiff headwind and we made loads of stops on the way. TW was drafting, 'you can go a bit faster' she said. The Kiwi response would probably be, 'no I bloody can't! The trail goes past vineyards, veggie farms and Orchards. They are investing quite a bit in the local cycling infrastructure. There is a lovely new suspension bridge over the River Wairoa that wibbles and wobbles. Apparently they are waiting for some eggs to hatch before they can finish a new boardwalk that will complete a ride to Rabbit Island and its beach parks. Had lunch at HQ in Brightwater, a modern cafe that seems to be doing rather well. We had whitebait patties with a salad. Whitebait in NZ is not the same as we are used to. The little fishes are much smaller, more like a tadpole than a baby herring or sardine. Bit of an expensive delicacy so there were not too many in our 'fritters'. On the way back to Richmond, with the wind behind, us we were blown all the way home. The Great Taste Trail continues on to Nelson, about another 10km along the coast.
Spring  Blossom in Richmond
TW wants to take one home
Over the Wairoa on the wibbly, wobbly bridge

Green shoots of the next vintage and the next Great Taste

Bidding farewell to the Richmond Retreat
After a week staying in Richmond it feels like home. I think if I was transplanted here I would be quite happy. Lots of walking and biking opportunities. Lovely beaches in the summer and skiing in the winter. The town is fine, plenty of shops and the residential areas we saw were very smart and tidy. At this time of year the gardens are ablaze with colour. We stayed in an Apartment less than 10 minutes walk from town. Our hosts, John and Colleen at the Richmond Retreat were great. We are both quite sad to be packing up to leave.
Location: Richmond, New Zealand

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