Hobbiton and the impending Doom

Just before we were due to scarper from the Opal Springs Holiday Park Matamata the rain came down again, but thankfully it was a classic Nz spring shower. 

We tore along the rolling, but increasingly steep Waikato hills to Hobbiton for the 9.30am tour. It was looking close. It became apparent that we were not going to make the 9.30 tour, so we relaxed for about a minute, then a squally cloud blew  in, then we rounded the corner to Hobbiton, THEN it started to hail! Of course in true New Zealand style the hail eased up in 2 minutes and brilliant sun returned. Thanks to the lovely staff at Hobbiton set tours we safely stashed our fully loaded bikes and did the tour. We bussed, we photographed, we listened to the knowledgeable tour guide... This is when the impending doom appeared.  

It rained again, then the sun came out, then another mini storm blew across and we frantically raided a Hobbit hole umbrella stash. After the tour we pedalled through the Waikato hills to be buffeted by more squally 3 minute showers. At the Karapiro Mobil we consulted maps, IPhones and accomodation guides as we realised that we were not going to make our intended camp for the night. 

More rolling Waikato hills took us to the quaint little town of Arapuni. The wonderful owners of the Arapuni Backpackers looked after us, dried our rain gear overnight, while we transformed our bunk room into a backpackers laundry. 

Day 4 holds the Waikato River Trails 75-80km of river side singletrack!