Home safe

Next adventure starts in 10 days. Watch this space

Auckland R&R

Not that we really need a break but it was nice to spend a couple of days in Auckland. We totes love it

Allpress headquarters was a definite stop for a coffee 

25m euros yacht ready for charter at 200k per day. 

Boat trip on coromandel peninsula.

While we were at coromandel peninsula we opted for d boat tour to see the beautiful coastline. The are we specifically visited was used in the 2 nd nania movie

On the road north to Auckland.

We picked up a bomb and headed off on a road trip. 5 days to drive up to Auckland. 

Napier. What an Art Deco masterpiece. 

We stayed in the coolest hotel called the Art Deco Masonic hotel. 

Best coffee in NZ and beats 

Great hot springs at lake taupo

It rained on the hike. We got wet

We got muddy at Rotarua

Coromandel peninsula is cool

North island adventure with Lisa

So I've been a little slack. After a wonderful ferry trip from picton to Wellington I picked up Lisa from the airport and we had a wonderful week in Wellington. What a great city. Here are some highlites

Wellington from the top

The sea Shepard docked as we walked past. 4 months at sea. We watch the crew step onto dry land for the first time. 

The White House restaurant. Best meal in years

Sunday markets. Broccoli almost as good as Quentin's. 

North to Marlborough Sound

Today started pretty early with a 7 am departure on the coast train out of Christchurch. It rained half the night and blew thanks to ex cyclone luci. The 5 hour journey was pretty cool. I love a good train ride. Once we got above kiakora the weather started to improve a bit. I jumped off the train at Blenheim and spent the arvo at the aviation museum largely orchestrated by sir peter Jackson. It's bloody incredible. 

Off to Wellington tomorrow on the ferry out if picton. 

This is the most beautiful plane I have ever seen. You gotta go. 

Visit to Christchurch city

I am catching the coaster train from Christchurch to Blenheim. I decided to stay in the city in one of the hotels that has just been rebuilt. I spent the day walking around the city which I have visited many times before.  It's pretty much unrecognisable in most parts. There are still many buildings abandoned and waiting to be demolished. The cathedral would make you cry. It's slowly falling down before your eyes. They have made a temporary shopping district out of shipping containers. It's very cool. At the start of the day I was very sad, but by the end I was used to it like everyone else. 

An empty chair for everyone who died in the quake

Cardboard church

Private memorial to a loved one

Shipping container mall

Day 17- Wayne and I call it a day

Wayne and I decided to pull the pin this morning.  With no luck finding a replacement rack without diverting into Christchurch. And not relishing the thought of nursing the bike into the city for 120 Kms in Friday arvo traffic. And cyclone luci ready to hit the kiacoras on Sunday (just where we will be). I decided to retire Wayne for the rest of the adventure. I packed him up and we got on the bus for Christchurch. Not before a quick soak in the hot tub.

Wayne retires to his bag

Mikey hits the hot tub

Day 16 - 71kms - Geraldine to methven

The unbreakable rack? 

The day started very lazily with a 7.30 start and a walk to town for coffee and breakfast. I got on the road at a little after 9.30 for a lazy flat 70 k's. About 25k out I detected a funny noise on Wayne but could not identify it. A few k's on and I got out of the saddle to stretch my legs and "bang" the rear rack failed. Tubus racks are made in Germany and do not fail. They have a lifetime guarantee. Wrong. A broken rack is a bit of a show stopper. I managed to patch it up with a cable tie and quietly rode to the next town. There was a servo and I bought a hose clamp. That worked a treat as long as I stayed seated and quiet. It made it to methven. I have 120ks to get to Christchurch. Will it make it. Yes it will. Wayne will hold together. Poor guy is battling. Head stem bearings, bottom bracket, seat post, rear tyre. Poor guy looks worse than me. Big day tomorrow. Let's hope we can both hold it together. 

And dad thinks I'm crazy

These guys are from WA driving there chamberlain tractors. I'll bet motorists hate them more than push bikes

I could see you doing this dad. 

Day 15 - 91 kms - lake tekapo to Geraldine

91kms but an easy day. I got away early as a northerly wind was forecast. A moderate clime for 20kms to burkes bluff was magnificent with the alps and clear sky's. One of those days when you know exactly why you do it. 

After the pass the road fell for 25 kms through a foggy valley to fairly. It was a nice change from climbing. 

The last 45 kms to Geraldine was tough. The headwing arrived as promised at 12. Geraldine is beautiful. I have booked a cabin and I'm having a clean up. 

Leaving the alps behind

Topping burkes pass and down into the fog

Big job to milk all these. The line went over the hill and under the road in front. I have never seen such a big herd

Wayne was happy to arrive at out cabin. He can come inside tonight. 

Day 14 -89kms - omarama to lake tekapo

89kms, 5hours, rain a bit, hot a bit

I got away nice and early to try and get some good miles in before it got too hot. I was still a bit doey from the big day yesterday. It rained lightly , enough for the raincoat for the first couple of hours. I passed the turnoff for mt cook and headed for lake pukaki. I had a break at the lake and along with everyone else there I waited for mt cook to emerge from the fog and cloud. It didn't. Eventually I moved on. The road to lake tekapo looked flat but in fact it climbed all the way to 700+ Metres. I was well over it by the time the lake emerged. I got a lovely camp spot by the lake. Unfortunately a power outage for the whole town meant the hot springs were closed for the day. I was devo. I walked to the lake and went for a swim. It was a bit colder than the hot springs. Glacier fed. COLD. But it made me feel great. I spent the arvo laying on the grass above the lake and watched the sunset. It was lovely. 

Take a breath

Sunrise