Day 51 Omarama - Glentanner

Just read the messages thanks Bald Fat Bloke and Den - love to you both. Dave and Lin Happy Holidays, hope you enjoyed yu trip away?? Is it next weekend that you go and get your seasonal pitch sorted out, hope you get the one you want. Yes we will cach up on some time away on our return to the UK. Yes Tony that picture was from Dunedin but I think it was in the library section. We have not decided about the North Island yet, keep talking to cyclists about that and we have been advised to spend as much time as possible in the South. We have various options to fly from Christchurch, Ferry from Picton or take a Hire Van over for them to Auckland. . . No Keith did not sample the wine but there are plenty of other places around here as you know. It's beginning to resemble France just a little . . . Good to hear from you both. We rang all the family yesterday and everyone sounds good and that's all we want to hear we are a long way away to sort out any problems. Thanks for all your messages we do love to read them. To Brian - hope the operation went OK look forward to meeting up again.

Now to continue: After a good night's rest and a long talk with Ruldoff, a Swizz gentleman who thought that he might know David & Sabina, we rode off to Twizel. Mountains once again all around us and a lovely atmosphere. Arrived in Twizel (Lee knows it well) we had luch in the local Thai Restuarant, bought provisions and off again with the wonderful views of Mt Cook ahead. Good ride but winds started to pick up again and it was hard going for the last 10k, pleased to arrive. Got a cabin with 10 bunk beds in so Keith rearranged the mattresses so we got two each. Great views of th sunset over Mt. Cook.

Day 52 Glentanner

Wanted to get a shuttle up to Mt Cook as we didn't want to fight the North westerly winds funnelling down the mountain range. . . none available all booked out, so we did the only thing open to us RIDE OUR BIKES. We fought 25k to Mt Cook village, it was hard. Met up with a couple from Auckland Lucy and Pete for coffee, they had done the Otago Road Trail wih us. They had been canoeing and were visiting the Tamin Glacier. We stayed at the Village and looked around the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre. Makes you very humble when you look at the men and women who have climbed these mountains, many years ago. Thought of you today Lee. . . sharing the same sights, am I mistaken but did you come up here with Rosemary & Bill? Love to Happy Huong. There's always a good side to the story, it took us 1hour 52 mins this morning and less than an hour to return. Couldn't believe it when two cyclists pulled into Glentanner, David and Sabina had spoken to the Swizz gentleman and they cycled 85k to meet up again with us. . . great to have thir company.

Day 53 Lake Tekapo

Left Glentanner around 10 am with David & Sabina heading towards Lake Tekapo, good ride some of it along the canel road but it was very hot by the afternoon. Arrived at 3.45 pm after 85k. Couple of coffees and a milkshake for yours truly and then off to find the BBH for a good night's rest. Been on the bike for the last 10 days. . . need sometime off.

Day 54 Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a beautiful place, small town/village by the lake. We have moved to new accommodation which is a self-contained chalet at the rear of Erin's bungalow really comfortable with nice gardens and views across the Lake. Did nothing today except drink, eat and chat and hen decided to book another night. Our cycling companions have decided to take a chain-saw to their bikes when they return home. Of course they won't but afte 4000k since the 2nd January, you can understand why!!!!!

Day 55 Lake Tekapo

Bad weather promisd for today coming from Figi following the cyclone but the locals say this area has a micro-climate and it will probably pass over, and yes they were right. We took ourselves up Mt. John to visit the Observatory. . . the skies are unbelievable at night. State of the art cafe at the top, all glass to take advantage of the views and for th night vision.

Thanks to you all for your Mother's Day wishes, didn't really know that it was now.