July 16th 2017
Well they do say that once you’ve caught the biker bug there’s no turning back … and so it is. We’re full into the winter season now in New Zealand and the weather hasn’t been the best these past couple of weeks. So not only did I wind up being struck down with a bad head cold, I also got struck down with withdrawal symptoms with not being able to take the bike out.
The Sunshine did manage to break through a few times on the weekend, but only long enough for some very short rides. In those cases I would do a small trip to Puhoi which is a historical village just 15min drive from where I live. The village has a very interesting history, having been settled by German migrants in 1863. They were given parcels of land to cultivate and pretty much left up to their own devices. They endured considerable hardship and had to rely pretty much on their own. Because of the German heritage this village was nicknamed the Bohemian Settlement. You can read a bit about the local history on the following links,
The village has a very quaint pub, The Puhoi Pub, established in 1879. 
The interior is fascinating, full of old artifacts and people from all over the world have left their mark by stapling bank notes from their home country and pictures. Some of the more “adventurous” ladies even went so far as to leave their signed bras hanging on the front door.
Spotted this little notice on the side of the piano as well, although I’m glad to say I won’t be needing their services.
On the weekend’s there are many a biker who rock up to the pub for a pint after a nice days ride. Last weekend when I met a Bulgarian biker called Laci, who came out to from Auckland central testing out the new tires on his BMW. He’d emigrated to New Zealand about 16 years ago. We shared a few stories over a drink and he told me that he’d been riding bikes since his youth and his current BMW was his 30th bike …. and there I was with my first.
The surrounding country side of Puhoi is beautiful, unfortunately the weather being the way that it was, I could only take pictures with my iPhone.
Well …. I hope the weather will start to improve over the next couple of weeks so I can journey out a bit further. I leave you with my trademark picture …. spot the helmet.
The Wanderer 