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.