Expectations are more rain and though there is nothing but an incredibly miserable hostle manager the plan is an "enforced" rest day. Plans are prone to change. Waking after a long solid sleep to dis over the rain has stopped belongings are hastily packed and the long road to fox glacier begins. 127km will be my longest day yet. A long slow ride but with the pass behind me closed the road is empty, with only the odd shower and on coming traffic On the way I ...

Dates are now only about 5 days off so getting better. Rumours of a massive storm were circulating last night after a few pints in the bar. The last big storm took out a bridge on the coast for 10 days and as much rain is expected now. With half a dozen cyclists gather two plans emerge; light rain or no rain in the morning then ride on, or any rain means stay put. Six riders each to choose his/her own way. Early morning rain quickly turned torrential, no on...

Less exciting than the end of my last entry leads you to believe. The ride to Barrytown was uneventful apart from 2 flat tires. One for Neil and one for myself. I left Niel in Greymouth and headed off to find my warmshowers accommodation for the night at the home of Temiko and Wolfgang Jäger. Find the small road and the significant climb I arrived just in time for Wolfgang to offer me the best coffee I have had in New Zealand. (Kiwis brag about how good their...

Uneventful riding under blue skies from Wanaka through the lakes to Makarora. Swam in a few waterfalls and in the last kilometres met up with Theys and Alexandra a Dutch couple I heard about the night before. Incredibly they are 3 months in to a 1 year cycling tour that started in India. With them they have their 2 year old son and 8 month old daughter. With out a doubt both of them carry double my load. Camping at Makarora there are now 6 cyclists from 5 diffe...

On the ride down from the the top of the range I meet the first cyclist "going my way". Almost the exact same. Finally some company! As I stop for a drink Alison heads back on the road to Wanaka and we agree to meet up later in the camp ground, which by early evening is filled with cyclists. Wanaka is much more like Queebstown was supposed to be, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and once again entirely picturesque.