Armed with a map of cycle routes in the area (there are 180km of them) we start out along the promenade towards the docks and the harbour, with the intention of cycling to the wetlands and possibly taking the coast path back. There are only three gears on the bike but Napier is mostly flat so this should be fine. The main thing that confounds us about the bike is that to brake you have to back peddle. It only needs the slightest touch backwards and the bike immediately comes to an abrupt stop.
There is quite a lot of improvement work going on along the promenade - they have the planned, underway and already implemented projects on a sign. Could be good, although not too sure about the viewing platform over the outfall pipe?! Our home town could do with a bit of umph like this perhaps.
The cycle way stays off piste so to speak, so no cars to contend with, just pushchairs, pedestrians and other cyclists going a lot faster than we are (they do have more gears, and all the gear too).
The docks are busy, with cargo boats coming and going, keeping the tugs busy.
There are lots of varying sizes of sailboats out on the water too - not sure I'd want to argue with something that big!
Past the docks and towards the marina. Eric bounds along on the boardwalk railings.
There is some map consultation as we negotiate past the sport fishing club and yacht club, but seeing us with a map out prompts several local people to stop and ask if we are lost and ready to guide us on our way.
There are several interesting sites to see in the harbour area.
One of the oldest Art Deco buildings.
Custom House.
Ahoy there me mateys.
There are two areas of the harbour, one with mainly fishing boats
and the other with mostly yachts.
We can see what appear to be snow capped mountains in the distance behind the marina.
Soon we find a sign that tells us the route to Bay View via the wetlands (13.1km) or via the coast (4 km) and that we have cycled 5.5 kilometres from the iSite. We go for the 'via the wetlands' route on our outward journey.
A White-faced Heron on the edge of the wetland area
Successfully catching it's dinner.
Back to cycling - There's actually a bit of a slope down at the start of this, then under one bridge before hitting a snag. There is an underpass under the main highway, but it's high tide and flooded to over ankle level.
What to do now? Look at map, not able to find other route not using underpass; highway above looks mega busy to try and cross and would have to carry bike across long grass and up the slope to access roadside. Another gentleman passes us on his bicycle, decides he's going to go through the water. We wait to find out if he made it and then decide to follow. One of us will be OK as can negotiate corner without putting foot down, the other generally has a bit of a problem with this type of manoeuvre. This calls for a shoes and socks off, trousers rolled up job. The feet did get wet, but it's warm and sunny so they dry whilst sitting on a bank eating an apple. Easy really. Another gentleman coming the other way says it's too deep for him to go through. We tell him we've just made it, but he gives us a scathing look and says 'yes, well yours are hire bikes; this is my own and I don't want the spokes ruined going through there" Ooops! The path winds on through the wetlands, we have some good views of Spoonbill feeding.
Along the path we see what looks like a very large cricket - no, it's two that are mating. Get a room!
Some wetland views.
There are lots of Canada Geese and Black-backed Gulls as well as Black Swans and Spur-winged Plover. We also see some NZ Scaup again, but not convinced we have them id'd correctly.
and then in a field near the airport a whole flock of Banded Dottrell, some paler marked than this one.
This sign was close to the airport too - New Zealanders do seem to have an interesting turn of phrase sometimes.
There are these old lights around the end of the runway, they look a bit old to be airport lights but can't think what else they are.
Eric calls us over to read the information panel explaining that they are the old lights used to guide ships into the original harbour (pre 1931), before the massive earthquake that lifted this part of Napier up and made the harbour unviable.
Mmm. Cycling along this could be tricky, it's raised, not very wide, and there's water either side. Perhaps I should swap baskets?
There's some flat bumpy bits through the next bit of wetland habitat, then a herd of bullocks - and, of course, they are on the cycle path and in front of the exit gate. We make our way quietly between them, they look a bit skittish, and as nosey as bullocks usually are. We have to talk to them to move them from the gates - a bit like the horse whisperer - but the cow whisperer instead. Eric also plays his part with tricks learnt from the Huntaway dogs at Cape Rienga (see earlier blog).
This is the name of the walkway we have just come from.
Eric said "You try saying this after a couple of ginger beers, or for that matter, before. Anyway, it didn't say no dogs at the other end, and it's a good job I was with them or they'd never have shifted those bullocks".
Whew, Bay View is only 1km away now - not long before that coffee.
Ah. It says Westshore is 13.8 Kms away via the wetlands, but 6.3km via the coast. At least the way back is shorter.
We re-enter Napier (didn't realise we'd actually left it!)
Cross a train line and there's another cycle way signpost, it points one way to the way back to the Westshore and the other way has a coffee cup on it - 1.2km in the opposite direction to our return journey. With some reluctance at the thought of doing extra kilometres, the direction of the coffee cup finally calls more strongly. A good choice. The cafe in the holiday park at the end of Bay View did excellent food and coffee. Fully replete we head off for the real return journey, still 1.2km, but at least in the right direction this time.
Another bonus resulting from this side trip was there were a few more of those unusual postboxes.
Now we are alongside the sea. It is an incredible turquoise colour. There's a bit of a breeze but the sun is still shining with barely a cloud in the sky.
Eric makes friends with an All Blacks supporter on a bench.
We have to pass one of the bits of wetland we passed on the way out - the tide is out now and the runnels are making good feeding ground for the Herons and Spoonbills.
Back at the cycle shop by three thirty. Could have kept the bikes until five but decide that after cycling 32km our backsides needed a rest.
A walk along the prom to ease the cycling legs out. There seems to be a new sculpture in one of the parks. Not sure what it is though.
Enjoy a sorbet ice-cream whilst strolling.
Eric wants to pay a return visit to the Art Deco lady, on the way we have to walk past the National Marine Aquarium.
Fountains and statue outside the museum.
Eric thinks the lady looks even better than before now they have the fountain fully functioning.
A view from Napier across to Cape Kidnappers, a famous gannet colony.
We are not able to quite make out the colony from here! We can see the gannets fishing out at sea though.
Starting to ache a bit now so return to motel for a bite to eat and packing for our move to Wellington tomorrow.