Back at the beach, we found the road we knew lead to the forest entrance and rode up it. By now it was pretty hot; almost mid-day, so our ride up the metal road was an effort. I could understand why the local club runs shuttles up the hill!

We came to an intersection, and made our second mistake of the day by turning right and continuing around the base of the hill. We were encouraged by the number of bike tracks we saw, little realising that many riders enter the forest along this road because it is higher. Eventually the road petered out, and we turned around once more.

Somewhere along the way, Kerry turned into a well-used bike track heading into the hill. It became steeper and steeper, until we were pushing our machines up what was clearly a down-hill only trail. This tried and true method for reaching the top worked fine as usual, and a short trip up the road bought us to the container at the trig where the Pohutakawa Coast Mountain-Bike Club store their equipment.

By this time I was starving, so I enjoyed the slice of cold pizza I had carried up in my pack, even though there was no view. Another two riders turned up, and we asked one of them for suggestions about the best trail down.

The route we took was: ‘Skinny Dipping’ then ‘The Nile’, with ‘Ground Zero’ to finish. These tracks were graded 3, which was moderately challenging for us. A lot of effort has gone in to building berms and wooden structures to create jumps and skirt obstacles. It’s too far away to be a regular destination, but I’m sure we’ll be back one day.

Next to where we parked the car was a sign promoting a new shared path from Maraetai to Beachlands. Even though we were quite tired by now, the tide was in and the sun was shining and the trail proved irresistible.

This is a fantastic new development, which runs past Omana Regional Park, behind Te Puru park, and over the hills to Beachlands. A good place to take kids or novice riders.

We arrived back at the car at 4pm; just enough time to get back into town and over the Harbour Bridge before rush hour. 

The deciduous trees are just beginning to turn red and gold; the view will be spectacular in a few week’s time. Palms and cabbage-trees, and even the occasional banana reminded us we are in the Pacific.

It must have been midday by the time we arrived in Henderson. We parked the kayaks and I waited with them while Felicity did a bit of hunter-gathering in the local Pak-n-Save. I could singing from a nearby church, and to my surprise realised I knew some of the words: “Onwards, Christian soldiers, marching off to war…”

On our way back down river, owe were twice overtaken by a guy on a racing kayak. The first time he came towards us, and advised me to make sure I kept left on blind corners (I think), but when he passed us from behind he shouted:

“Write in your diaries that you’ve paddled the same water as Ben Fouhy”.

I’ve since looked him up on the internet, and it sure didn’t look like we met one of the world’s fastest kayakers. Maybe a guy with a similar name gets a kick out of fooling tourists?

By 3pm we were back in the car with the kayaks on the roof. A very pleasant way of spending a Sunday in Auckland.

His grandmother Waveney was the main celebrant, but I was asked to read a poem by Susan Polis Schultz. I glanced at it briefly beforehand just to make sure it didn’t suck too badly, but when I began reading I quickly realised that it expressed my values better than I ever could have done in my own words.

All the time I read, Eli kept eye-contact with me and listened intently, as if he was drinking in every word. The feeling that I was communicating with him on some kind of deep level was so strong I was in tears by half way through, and it was a struggle to finish.

Around the family group I noticed quite a few other damp eyes; it was one of the most moving experiences I have shared in a long time. So here it is:

Get to know yourself -
what you can do
and what you cannot do -
for only you can make your
life happy.

Believe that by working
learning and achieving
you can reach your goals
and be successful.

Believe in your own creativity
as a means of expressing
your true feelings.

Believe in appreciating life.
Be sure to have fun every day 
and to enjoy
the beauty in the world.

Believe in love.
Love your friends
your family
yourself
and your life.

Believe in your dreams
and your dreams can become
a reality.

The settlement of Cudgerie turned out to be an upmarket subdivision with flash houses on lifestyle blocks. We followed a 5.5km trail around the area, often only a few metres from the road, so it didn’t feel at all like wilderness. Towards the end the trail actually went along the road, but we were rewarded with the discovery of a family of Kangaroos lying under a small clump of trees on someone’s lawn.

A short drive bought us to the town of Pomona, where we could see Mt Cooroora rising up behind the shops. They hold a “King of the mountain” race to the top every year, and the winners complete the journey in under 30min. Even though we drove a kilometre to the star of the trail, it took us almost two hours to climb up the steep rocky slopes, clutching on to chains fixed to metal poles.

As we were eating our lunch, we watched a black cloud dumping heaps of rain moving closer and closer, but just after we unpacked our raincoats and put them on it veered away to the west and we only got a sprinkle.

Now we are back in Noosaville, and Felicity is preparing a big dinner for Tomas, Courtenay, their mothers and stepfathers.

The track lead us around the coast to the Devils Kitchen, where we watched the huge surf smashing into the rocks,  sending spray high into the air. The wind was so strong we could lean way over without falling.  As we walked along Alexandria Bay we could see a black cloud following us, and by the time we began climbing up to the headland at the northern end of the beach, rain forced us to put our coats on.

It didn’t come to much, as we were on the edge of the downpour, which Tomas told me was torrential in the town. After admiring Hells Gates, we sat on a bench above picnic cove and ate our sandwiches, then continued along the coastal track, watching surfers on boards and kayaks riding the waves.

When we got to the main park entrance we were lucky enough to spot a koala sitting up high in a gum tree. We waited for a while to see if it would do something, but it seemed to be asleep. I began to wonder if it was actually a stuffed toy for the benefit of all the tourists.

We headed back via the Tanglewood track, which passes through damp rainforest as it winds up the hill to the high part of the park. There are so many different environments in this park, so we had a great day’s walk.

By the time we arrived back at the appartment we were pretty tired, so the last couple of hours have been spent reading books and relaxing. Just before sunset I took a photo of some Lorikeets arriving home for the night.

By the time we arrived at the apartment Felicity had organised in Noosaville we were starving, but luckily  we had stopped at a Coles supermarket for supplies, so we enjoyed a late lunch and settled in.

I was keen on some action after sitting in the car all morning, so I convinced the others to jog the 5km down to Noosa Heads for a swim. The waves were pretty small, but I managed to body surf in a few times. Felicity, Judith and James had had enough running by then, so they headed back home, but I could see the path leading to Noosa Heads National Park; my favourite place in the whole of Oz, and I couldn’t resist.

There were lots of other runners on the trail, so I was inspired to run quite a bit faster than my usual leisurely pace. Before I knew it I was out at Hell’s Gate on the point, and the spectacular sunset happening behind me warned it was time to turn back. By this time the endorphins had kicked in, so I raced back at high speed to the park entrance.

It was getting dark by this time, but I knew the streets would be lit so I wasn’t worried. Everything looked a bit different in the twilight however, and I made a couple of unplanned detours before I found the way  home, where dinner was nearly ready.

Our apartment overlooks the Noosa river, and the gum trees in front are the home of about a million rainbow lorikeets, and another million or so cockatoos, all of which make a continuous racket all the time they are awake. Which due to the street lights was most of the night, so it was not exactly what you might consider peaceful. Every now and then something will startle them, and a couple of hundred launch into the air in a flock and  whirl around anxiously for a minute or so before settling down again.

This morning we had a quick swim in our pool, then drove over to Sunshine Beach to see Tomas, Courtenay and 4 month old Eli. He is a lovely and contented baby, despite having just received a vaccination shot.

After a late lunch we drove to the Tewantin National Park and climbed Mt Tinbeerwah for a spectacular 360 degree view of the area. Next we walked another short track to see a palm grove.

While dinner was cooking, Felicity, James and I ran alongside the Noosa river to Tewantin and back, so we appreciated Judith’s apple crumble after our roast chicken.

Being just across the Tasman from Piha, the surf is pretty big most of the time, so only the foolhardy swim outside the flags. I took out a boogie board and once I managed to get out through the surf, caught some great waves. On one ride, I hit a small wave coming back off the beach and briefly launched into the air! Eventually I realised that I was the only one left in the water, so I reluctantly headed back to the beach.

By now the temperature was 35 degrees, so we drove back home for lunch and a rest. I settled down to read a book while Felicity went shopping with Stefan, but when she arrived back I was still on page one, so I guess I must have dozed off. Body surfing is hard work; I was more tired today than I was after our hikes the previous days.

About 3pm we returned to the beach and raced back into the surf. By now the tide was out, and the waves were not as strong, so the rides were short and not as thrilling as in the morning.

By the time we got out, the temperature had dropped under 30 degrees, and the girls were complaining that they were cold. It didn’t put them off eating an icecream though I noticed.

There are a wide range of bikes available for hire,  some rather wierd and wonderful. There are lots of paths to ride on, but the density of pedestrian traffic made it look rather hazardous to me. I was also surprised that very few people seem to wear helmets.

Felicity is busy re-writing a paper with Mieke in every spare moment, but she is planning a Thai curry for dinner. Tomorrow we head north to Noosa.

I joined Felicity in the pool for a splash before breakfast, then we all packed into our cars and headed back up into the hinterland. The track we had chosen for today was a lot easier going than yesterday, and I enjoyed striding along without having to watch my feet all the time.    

We started in rainforest, but after branching off the main Border track the trees began to change, and soon we were passing though dry eucalyptus trees, and then montane heath. Every now and then we stopped at rocky outcrops to admire the view. Sometimes we could see the hi-rises of Surfer’s Paradise to our east, and sometimes New South Wales though the hills to the south. In the photo we are at the Numimbah Lookout.

I was at the back of the group as usual, so I only heard reports of snakes and other wildlife that the others spotted scurrying into the bush. When we stopped for lunch, a couple of lizards nearly a foot long kept us entertained.  I thought they only ate insects, but I can report that they also seem to enjoy bits of cheese sandwich that accidentally dropped on the ground. One was so friendly that he hung out for a while on Judith’s sarong next to her. She decided to name him Eddie Lizard.

On our way back, we made a detour to see the Ballunjui Falls, and in the process lost the two younger teenage girls, who had run ahead. By the time we found them, we had also lost Stefan, so I went back down the track to leave a note for him at the last intersection, with the message that we were heading back to the car. I then had to run a couple of kilometres to catch up with the others, who by this time had found him, so all was well again.

Now we are back on the Gold Coast, and Felicity is cooking an Indian dinner. I’ve been for another swim in the pool, and even though it is now dark, it’s still a bit hot to wear a shirt. It is an extremely pleasant environment compared to NZ at this time of year.

We packed a lunch and plenty of water, then headed in a two car convoy to Binna Burra up in the hills behind Nerang. The first half of the 17km track was pretty straightforward, winding down into the Coomera River valley a few hundred metres below the road.

It didn’t take long before we all discovered we were under continual attack by hungry leeches. Luckily, they are the kind you can just pull off without any bits being left behind. The first couple I used twigs to scrape them away, but eventually I began to just grab them and pull. One managed to get inside my sock and have a good feed before I noticed, and when we arrived back at the car I discovered heaps of blood running from my leg where one had got inside the hem of my board shorts. They have a kind of anaesthetic, so at least you don’t feel anything.

A couple of kms down the track, Stefan our host stopped to point out a tree with large round leaves that he warned us not to touch. Not long after that, his wife Mieke managed to brush her arm against a leaf, and was rewarded with considerable pain and blisters. The recommended treatment is to stick duct tape on the affected area, then pull it off, hopefully taking the tiny stinging hairs with it. Fortunately for her, another group of walkers travelling in the opposite direction  to us were prepared for exactly this scenario, so the rest of her day was not a bad as it might have been.

We also encountered the Australian version of bush lawyer, which to nobody’s surprised turned out to be even nastier than the NZ version. I was hoping to see some animals, but being at the back of the group I missed seeing a black snake and a couple of pademelon wallabies.

Despite all the hazards, we enjoyed a great walk. The return trip involved 12 river crossings, but wet boots were the only downside, if you don’t count a couple of hunts for the track.

Near the end, we detoured to the Gwongoorool Pool for a swim. There were signs warning that eels would bite if they felt threatened, but luckily we didn’t see any, so I am still in one piece.

Felicity had to catch a later boat because her half-marathon didn’t start until later in the morning, so she got to have a second breakfast in a cafe.

From past years, I knew that the first long hill out of Home Bay would be a congested mass of testosterone-fuelled young men, and as getting in front wasn’t an option for me I decided to start right at the back and wait for the traffic to die down. The photo was taken about a minute before the starting  horn, and by the time I got my camera back in my pack I was a good 100 metres behind the end of the pack.

I trundled up the hill at a leisurely pace, and enjoyed a clear trail right until I hit the top. By then I had caught the unfit and/or inexperienced riders so I switched to race pace and enjoyed overtaking everyone in sight. By the time we crossed the causeway to Rangitoto and started the long climb to the summit I was going great guns, and starting to catch riders at a similar level to me. Over and over again I would come up behind someone, wait a minute to catch  my breath, then pull out suddenly and accelerate away.

Speeding down the hill on the other side, I got re-passed  a couple of times by riders with more skill or less sense of self-preservation. The scoria road is pretty rough, with lots of loose sections where it’s easy to skid. The consequences of coming off my bike would have been about as bad as it could get, so I  was a bit cautious.

I was mostly on my own riding around the flat section of road past the lighthouse; and I was enjoying the unique volcanic environment so much  I decided to stop for a break. After a snack and a drink I returned to the race, and began re-passing some of the slower riders that had jumped in front of me again.

Then a bike shot past me at incredible speed, before I had even noticed someone was behind me. A few seconds later another rider flashed by, and when I saw his $15,000+ carbon-fibre bike I realised that the elite 30Km racers – who had started half an hour after me, had caught up. 

Back on Motutapu, the shorter course headed straight for the finish line, whereas I still had 20Km to go. I finished in just over 4 hours, pretty close to my previous efforts. The last few steep hills had me off the bike pushing, but all the other riders were by that stage as well.

When I crossed the finish line, I won a spot prize of some hi-tech toe warmers ?? Someone thrust a bottle of cold apple cider into my hand and I chugged it down. On an empty stomach and with very low blood-sugar, this made me feel rather woozy, but after scarfing down a chicken kebab  I felt a lot better.

Until I casually bounded down a low bank only to remember when it was much too late that my leg muscles weren’t up to bounding, and I fell flat on my face. So now I have a sore hand and a grazed knee, after all my care in not falling in the race!

While I was waiting for Felicity to finish her race, I had a swim and erected our tent. She turned up a bit earlier than I expected, and in pretty good shape. Her decision to wear boots rather than running shoes paid off on the rough scoria.

We sat around for a while watching the rest of the marathon runners – and a few slow bikers -  then it was time for Don McGlashin. By this time the weather was looking increasingly grey, so most people chose to go home on the earlier ferries. This meant there were only about a hundred of us listening to him, which was fantastic. Because he was late arriving, the support act had to go second, which worked out rather well. Kerry and what’s-his-name are only a covers band, but she had good energy. By now it was starting to drizzle and get cold, but after sharing half a bottle of wine with our hamburger dinner, I was actually convinced to dance with my wife, which was rather fun. Apart from three other women and two Pacific Island security guards dancing, the audience had shrunk to a dozen or so guys drinking beer in one of the big tents.

After the music, we sat around near the beer-drinkers for a while, but when it got too dark to read we decided to hit the therm-o-rest. It rained steadily all night, only a small amount ending up in the tent; the worst thing about it was having to go out for a pee after lying awake for a couple of hours hoping it would ease off.

It was still wet when we woke up, so we took our breakfast over to one of the big tents and talked to a German scientist who studies milk from mice and rats.

I had wondered if I might sneak off for an illegal bike ride this morning, but my legs didn’t feel at all like pushing pedals. We  hung around the event base reading, and watching the clean-up crews packing stuff away. The sun had come out again by this time, so it was a very pleasant wait for the midday ferry. The last photo is of the Home Bay site, with Felicity reading in the beer tent.

The sun obligingly stayed shining all afternoon, so all our damp gear is now dry and mostly packed away. What a fun weekend, just what I needed after one of the most stressful weeks I’ve had in years.