The Coast Road

Woke to drizzly, overcast morning (clearly I shouldn't have jeered at the Royal party). Faced with reputably 'the best motorcycling in the world', thought I'd hang on for an hour, to see if weather cheered up

And it did, just enough to stay dry all day. If fact, as I sit and write this, the rain has just started thumping down. Perfect timing

Morning settled into, now what seems, a familiar routine. It easy to get blasé about the achingly beautiful landscapes and spine tingling ride. Today's added spice was the Tasman Sea, keeping me company most of the day. Powerful rollers crashing onto a white beach. In Britain, we expect some flotsam and jetsam. Here it is trees with complete root systems being washed up and left on the tide line. Can't emphasise enough just how colossal everything here is.

Demanding ride, diving back through rainforest and out again onto the coast road, eventually brought me to Hokitika. Joined local biking couple for coffee, who wanted to know more about the Triumph Tiger, as they were considering retiring from track racing, now they were in their fifties. Interestingly, both on their own racing machines and not a clean panel on either bike!

Hokitika is the centre of pounamu/greenstone carving - an ancient Maori art. One showroom shared fascinating stories behind the history of this work and yes, obviously presented a retail opportunity

Also tried Vodaphone NZ shop to improve internet connection by using local data SIM card. Sadly assistant couldn't sort out a workaround

By now I was itching to get back on the tarmac. And next section was just sublime. No real speed involved - just visor up, wind in face, wriggling around and diving into corners like a stabbed rat. (Tiddles, you may have lost your 2012 NY eve wiggling crown to the NZ coast road!)

All too quickly arrived at Punakaiki and the pancake rocks. Sadly tides all wrong for the blow holes to be blowing. However, would make a juicy rock hopping destination on a future kayaking trip and did return to my bike to find a new friend, busy pecking at my tyres...

Hotel location, right on the beach with room overlooking the sea. Window open and wonderful sounds of crashing waves, taking me back to Seaweed Cottage, Cornwall

Steve you are much missed - good luck with the op. You'll be dancing the fandango in no time...