24 March

Two days ago I went and picked Michelle up from Manapouri. It was a lovely drive.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP6tDneq3whMtMhxQ9ckGnVAjM-lYD-KEwPQE0N
The snow was thick on the high mountains.
We came back to Gore via Bluff. I thought that we couldn't send her back to America without having seen the end/beginning of the road. As always the views from the hill were amazing, although Stewart Island was hiding.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMICXPCmsO7j7Db2d0-qcbYeGruzhp4u3exJTth
We decided that we would ride the Clutha Gold Trail from Lawrence to the Roxburgh Dam. A few months ago this would have seemed impossible to me - a two day ride in one day! And we didn't get to Lawrence until midday so we really only had the afternoon to cover the 73 km.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNOII7R4Fkh0XECqPoChpZpgQQ9iiva1yopMcfG
This is us at the beginning. Note the medal sround my neck. Michelle thought I should wear it while riding but I declined. I got the medal as I had completed the journey from Cape Reinga to Stirling Point. Thank you to the Invercargill City Council who think that it is a journey which needs to be acknowledged.
It was a lovely day for a ride. The river was slightly high and discoloured but still had its usual greenish tinge.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNl0jsYylGy7Fl_CjISakpFxr8a0Jw6UZkGs1Yl
We made the dam at 6.15 which was pretty good time really.
Then we took Michelle to Alexandra, helped set up her tent and went for dinner at Monteiths Brewery before we left her there to return to Gore.
There was wildfire puting on a spectacular display from Ettrick to Gore. I was so tired I just wanted to sleep bu then I didn't want t miss the display either. It was trying to rain when we arrived in but we didn't get wet so that was a bonus to a wonderful day.

15 March

The day started overcast and the day comtinued that way. It was lovely to realise I was so close to Pam and Billy's place so we called in to say hello. KylieAnn arrived as well. She had a ride on the bike and I think she liked it almost as much as I do.
I carried on and there it was. Bluff Hill was finally in sight. Not that I was going up the hill.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMCPjAMtP6d10FxEi62RajgZqonNcV4f_hDcF9P
Carried on into Invercargill and at the Waihopai bridge I met a couple of other TA riders who were getting their photo taken with a genuine Southlander. I got talking with the woman and discovered she was Marea from Kaikohe, and she knows Shelley. How linked are families in New Zealand! Amazing!
 https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOJ4H4a6KVrHMqJPkHxR4RiJ1vMTvTLdRx7pljV
We rode the Waihopai Trail together and then we saw a white heron. By the time I got the camera out it was flying off.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMSPt2ISHPrmgERKgHbm5cxmrBlg_tgu0PP50OU
Not the best photo but the best I could do at the time.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPcnUdQql3h8HtjypO4WQ4VW93vw5GaZy1xSGDK
Finally I had made it. There was quite a crowd at Stirling Point. There were other cyclists and TA walkers.
And then Carlitos stood in front of me. It was such a surprise to see Tammy, Carlitos, MightyJoe and Te Rau.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNF9Ri6UAekvDXRjC6yTXPYLAbO951GHIuYWyOb
Ron and I went home with Winsome and Brent and stayed in their lovely home for the night. I am so lucky to have such a lovely family. The view across the harbour was something it would be possible to sit and watch forever.
My journey has finished but I will continue cycling.
I have loved the travelling. We have met fabulous people and seen parts of NZ that I would never otherwise have visited. I would highly recommend that you do something similar befor eit is too late.

15 March

Not so cool this morning but that sky is looking ominous.

14 March

View from the top of the Avondale Hill. I love Southland.
I didn't love this road so much though. Southroads have decided that the road needed regravelled - just in time for the Brevet. It was thick and difficult to ride in. I ended up riding a good deal in the grass at the side of the road.
In case you don't know the Brevet is the same ride as I am doing but self supporting and to be done in between 10 and 30 days. That's a minimum of 100 km per day every day for a month. Those people really don't need a road to be harder than necessary. On the plus side the actual hill climb was sealed.
This afternoon the wind picked up. Mostly tail or side wind but as we got closer to Winton it was turning. With a little luck I will get to Bluff tomorrow about 2 and miss the rain.
We are staying tonight with Jenny and John. It is so nice to be able to catch up with friends.

14 March

If it was the UK and there was a pile of rocks like this then it would be the site of a Neolithic burial. Here in NZ it is just where some farmer has been clearing paddocks for cultivation. I hated that job when I was a kid.

14 March

Looking back toward Mossburn.

14 March

There is a definite chill in the air these mornings. We left just after 9 and that was just in time to be on the road with the tourist buses travelling from Queenstown to Milford. Luckily it was only for about 3 km and then we turned south. There was little or no wind at road level but the White Hills wind farm mills were turning lazily.