Day 14: Hamilton - Taupo

John's brothers were taking him on a two day fishing trip this morning so as they were packing up I was putting my gear back in the car and was soon out of Hamilton and on the road to the next exciting destination.

A little Scottish football diversion however before we move on. John's a semi-retired teacher who now works two days a week for the education authority. Does that mean he's a Hamilton academical who's become a civil service stroller? In other news, got to hear my mum's been enjoying my blogs. So hi mum!! Love you. (You've got to treat your Mother well). But the biggest Scottish football news of the weekend was Milton Rovers emphatic 8-1 away win at Coatshill Red, thus strengthening Rovers' 4th position in the league. They'll be singing and dancing in the streets of Milton!

Anyway. Now I was on the road to the most popular tourist attraction in the area - Hobbiton. The movie set used for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy.

Apparently Sir Peter Jackson spotted the location from the air and on further examination he decided to cancel 11 other planned locations as "Hobbiton" had everything he was looking for.

So the deal is: you pay $75, get bussed out to the film set and spend 2 hours on a guided tour trying to photo bomb Asian girls with selfie sticks.

Actually, it's a very good tour. A lot of interesting facts about the filming and set building and the set is truly amazing. Jackson insisted on an incredible amount of detail which you don't really think about when watching the movie. A free drink in the Green Dragon pub rounds off the tour. Loads of photos today of Hobbit holes and scenes from the set.

With of course the Hobbitrama of the day:

After the tour I continued south on the scenic roads until a short detour for lunch at the Bus Stop Cafe in Mangakino.

A great little spot completely off the beaten track which I discovered by chance with Google maps.

After another half hour or so I was in Taupo, tonight's rest stop. Checked in to the backpackers, got my mini-pump holder fixed in the bike shop across the road then headed out for a ride in a beautiful afternoon.

First stop was the Huki Falls, on the outskirts of town.

Then a ride out to Kinloch and back. The Lake Taupo Challenge, New Zealand's biggest cycling sportive, is on Saturday and starts out with the same first 15 kms as I did, before then completing a 160 km lap around the lake. I settled for just over 55 kms today.

On the way out to Kinloch I got caught by a couple of cyclists. Tried to follow, but they were too strong. My excuse is that one of them was wearing the full national kit of Tahiti and based on his build and strength I'd guess he rides track.

After a quick stop for a mussel fritter (!) - very tasty - at Kinloch I then rode back to Taupo for the ubiquitous full body & clothes shower before going out for a good dinner. Can't beat a good meal, a nice beer and listening to tonight's "live musician" commit serial murder on some of the all time greats ;)

Tomorrow we ride up a volcano.