‘ Captains Log ’ for TV One a few years back , and once on an adventurous pass , circumventing some rough stuff further out , directly beneath the point itself , during a fishing charter . But today would be my first time walking out to the lighthouse proper . I ’ d ridden there on my recently exchanged Triumph Thruxton R , but hadn ’ t fancied doing the walk in blistering sun and full leathers . With the Vespa 300s in full song we shot up the island , waved-to by everybody ; we had somehow won the respect of sport-bikers , perhaps acknowledging the effort required to ride 12 inchers there . The roads up to the Cape are pleasing , with long straights , fast twitching corners and swooping curves , all while delivering attention-grabbing , enticing views of the horizon and those vast white sand dunes along Great Exhibition Bay . Arrival at the Cape was met with great feelings of elation and satisfaction . We ’ d rolled our willing Vespas to the farthest northern point in the country , and we revelled in seeing the twin blue expanse of sea and sky . We gazed out , silently absorbing it all - the huge meeting point of the Tasman and Pacific Oceans , butting ceaselessly into the headland ramparts and breaking on the white sand beaches fringing Spirits and Tom
Bowling Bays . It is an easy country to love in those moments , but the depth of that feeling for it can still be rather surprising ..
SOUTHBOUND With tired bums and gritty eyes we walked back up the path , and then turned south for the first time , and headed for the Houhora Holiday Park , travelling the 75 kilometres swiftly , It was apparent that the consistent riding had both released the tightness of my new HPE engine , and reinforced our riding skills . A drag race from a standing start – purely professional , for review purposes of course - proved that the stated power and torque increase were indeed making the 2020 HPE markedly quicker off the line . In the farthest north the only fuel to be had is 91 octane , and although it didn ’ t bother the Vespas , we had been concerned it might . However , little changed until we managed to fill up with 98 , when we noticed a welcome return of pep and a certain gliding smoothness . Returning towards Houhora I had a need for refreshment , and we found some exceptional pies and coffee in a roadside stall , complete with book library , a couple of kilometres north of town . It was the owner ’ s birthday , she was a teacher , the café cook and barista , and also
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