Day 41 - Surat Bay

This is heaven and if we don't leave soon, we will not leave until April!!!!! When we arrived at this BBH Jamie (the owner) gave us the large room and kitchen away from the backpacker lodge, we still have to share the toilet and shower though but our part is great. It must be living on the road for six weeks that you turn to jelly when you arrive at something that is comfortable with a soft mattress, feather pillows, carpets, TV, heating and a full bowl of chocolate covered raisins and peanuts. Very windy today, just done a line of washing but it's probably half way across the ocean by now. See photo taken whilst walking along the beach it looks like a storm in the desert. Not many seals today but a seal has followed me all the way around the coast line, just keeps popping his head above water. . . curiousity.

Day 42 - Surat Bay - Milton

Said our good-byes to face strong cross winds. Jamie the local says that this place is idyllic in the sun but wild all the rest of the year. As you are probably aware Keith is a little heavier than me and does not seem to have the same trouble keeping the bike on the ground. . . not the same for me, quite frightening. Pulled into Balclutha for coffee, a very large town and actually we ended up with seaford chowder, very nice.

Needed a bike shop because Keith's pedal was shot so he bought another pair. Next stop was Milton we have passed several large fertilizer and cattle feed stores along the way but the weather is pretty rotten. Can't really say much about the scenery as I am concentrating too much on staying upright. Back to reality tonight's BBH is in Milton and is run by Tony, a Swiss gentleman who is the proud owner of 3 Harley Davidsons and is very much into freezing showers, healthy eating and his all consuming passion is to find out the guests blood group and in what year you were born and if you are a tiger or Ox etc.

Day 43 Milton - Dunedin

Left Swiss Tony's quite late after he thought we needed to learn how to juggle and discuss the teachings of the Dalai Lama and Ghandi. All a little too deep for 9.30 am . . . a real nice bloke all the same. Headed off in the rain with another type of cloud hanging over us. Travelled for 20K and then took the alternative hilly route through Tairi Mouth and Brighton, beautiful coastline reminiscent of Oz. Through to Dunedin with statue of Rabbi Burns in the Octagon and lovely architecture created by early Scottish settlers. Beautiful town in a really hilly locale. Still having problems uploading pics in some of theses places (firewalls!)

If David and Sabina are reading this there is a message on the message board for you to the effect that we are Dunedin now (friday) for 2 days if that helps. You could leave a message at the Elm Lodge BBH Hostel, if necessary.