A very easy day ahead. We need to be in Matamata around lunchtime for my cousin to pick us up. Nellie lives in Cambridge, we will wait out some weather with her. The day is really flat and rather boring. A trail follows the road for 95% of the way. We pass a nice looking cafe not long into our ride, we are good and keep moving. There isn’t much to look at with just farms around us. I do have a chat with a farmer as I go by.

As we got closer to Matamata, we started seeing a lot more people on the trail. Rowan stopped to point out to me a waterfall in the distance. As we were discussing it an elderly gentleman stopped to chat to us. 30min later we parted ways. He was telling us all about how much he loves his e-bike, makes me just want one more. The falls we can see are Wairere Falls. He tells us it is a bit of a hike to get to. I have added it to my list of walks I will do.

We arrive on the outskirts of Matamata at Firth Tower. Last night I researched a Geyser we had heard about on a sign coming into Te Aroha. This is the world’s only natural soda geyser. This geyser makes bubbly water and I wanted to know if we can drink it. Turns out it is bottled. Lemon & Te Aroha! By the time I got all the information while soaking up in the hot pool I thought I better find out where I can buy the stuff. Turns out Firth Tower has it. So as we came in we got a bottle to quench our thirst. It is sweeter than I would like. I will have to try the plain water next.

We hung around Matamata waiting for our ride and ended up in the visitor centre. Which of course is hobbit themed.

When Nellie arrived we took her out for a late lunch.

We arrived in Cambridge later afternoon to all the kids saying hello. Nellie has 3 boisterous boys. Also living with her are her parents, sister and nephew. My aunty and uncle have a new house in Te Awamutu they are moving too next month with my cousin Anita and son Kortez. It is really cool seeing all the kids. We always love visiting them. They all call us Aunty & Uncle as is the Māori way.