HOLIDAY AWHEEL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 73, 15 January 1947, Page 2

HOLIDAY AWHEEL

TIMARU BOY S TRIP VISIT TO WHAKATANE

(By a Local Correspondent)

It was under the most casual circumstances that I met Mr D. Pat O’Connell of Timaru. He like many another stranger and visitor to Whakatane was strolling through the town with time on his hands and with the engaging frankness of his countrymen he needed little encouragement to talk of his ‘one man holiday’ on a bicycle (which by appearances had seen better days). Pat incidentally was but recently demobilised and was last at the Polish camp in Pahiatua. He left Timaru on December Ist and planned his route up the east coast of the South Island. He made good time covering about 50 miles per day in hilly country and 100 on the flat roads of the Canterbury Plains. Reaching the North Island he maintained his coastal direction via Cape Runaway reaching Te Araroa in time for Xmas. He undertook the trip to Rotorua and made Whakatane in time to join in the New Year celebrations. Tauranga was next on the itinerary and it was on his return trip to this township prior to his leaving for Timaru that our meeting occurred.

He proudly exhibited his bicycle which he stated had just about ‘had it.’ It had experienced numerous punctures and general mishaps on the way, but was still definitely mobile.

Pat was especially impressed with the Bay of Plenty, saying that it was indeed rightly named, the country everywhere appearing to be very productive. He mentioned also that he had received a most hospitable reception through the Bay from all quarters and expressed gratitude for all the kindness extended to him. Excellent weather prevailed for the whole trip, and to all intents and purposes the holiday awheel was entirely successful.