On Tuesday this week I travelled from Tauranga to Thames. It is a trip I do about every six weeks. This time I could not believe the state of the road surfaces, particularly the stretch between Waihi and Paeroa. Pot holes all the way, real deep ones. Made it okay to Thames after several violent shakes, however on the return trip hit a couple more resulting in a front tyre blowout. Pulled over to fit the spare and was very pleased to accept an offer of help from a following motorist. Limped into Waihi and was told at a tyre centre that I was the second one today. A new tyre cost me $110 at a Tauranga Tyre centre who informed me that the road to the Kaimais was just as bad. I have not experienced such poor road surface on a main road. Many thanks to the guy who changed my tyre.

P Turmer, Pyes Pa.