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In what is fast becoming a familiar story, today started somewhat dull weather wise, but at least it was dry and cleared up later.
After breaking fast at Poppy's Cafe, I ventured south of Napier to Te Mata Peak. The road goes all the way to the summit and offers stunning 360° views, even when cloudy!
I then continued my journey south until around lunchtime I stopped in Woodville for a delicious sausage roll from one of the many bakeries.
Leaving Woodville, I diverted onto the SH3 which runs along the spectacular Manawatu Gorge, with the railway running along the other side. The gorge is about 8km long but when I reached the other end I needed to turn round to get back on track, but it was worth it. Once I had traversed it again I stopped where there are a couple of walking tracks and, as I hadn't time to walk the whole gorge I elected to go for the short 20 minute track. It was a good leg stretch but didn't offer any views of the gorge!
Back on the SH2, I stopped at the ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Memorial Bridge. In the early part of the 20th century, there had been talk of the need to build a bridge to replace the ford. After WWI, it was agreed that the bridge would also act as a suitable memorial to the local fallen. Designed by local engineer Alfred Falkner, who had lost his son Victor in the war, it was opened on 1st December 1922 at a cost of £800. In the 50s it was replaced by the current bridge alongside as it wasn't suitable for the volume of traffic even then. Sadly it was neglected and fell into disrepair until it was restored at the end of the last century.
Just a couple of kilometres down the road is the Pukaha Wildlife Centre at Mount Bruce. They boast a rare white kiwi. It's not an albino, but both parents contained the white feather gene. Housed in a special kiwi house where they lower the lighting during the day to fool her into thinking it's night as they're nocturnal.
The centre houses many rare and threatened species such as the long finned eel, kakariki, kaka, stitchbird (hihi) and tuatara (a lizard that's been around since the time of the dinosaurs). It's a mix of avaries and managed bush land. The Bruce Stream runs through their land and that is where the eels reside. The 2.5km climb to the lookout is well worth it for the spectacular views.
Tonight I'm staying in Martinborough, in the heart of the North Island's wine region. As I was approaching the town there was another opportunity to admire the view.
Today we covered 316km.
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