Good bye South Island...

Okay, so this posting is a bit late as I've been in Wellington for two days now...loving the sun and the warmth but not really enjoying the strong winds.

The crossing of the Cook Strait was in a word "different" than my previous crossings. I felt as though I didn't want to leave, perhaps it was the people that I've met in my travels and the friendships that have made the difference this time. The only thing keeping me going is the fact that the weather is getting nasty on the South Island and beautiful sunny days are disappearing into the Autumn.

Even on the Interislander I met some great kiwi's one older woman that was quite impressed with my extensive travel and love for this small country in the South Pacific...she even said that maybe I'll meet a nice kiwi girl and end up moving here (made me smile).

Also, I met the Engineer of the Interislander (named Vince) who decided to offer to tour me around the ship - so I got to see the engine room, the propulsion room and even the bridge - where I met the captain, I know that sounds weird for a 34 year old man but at the same time I enjoyed learning about the ship and seeing parts of it that not many travelers would get to see. I guess I'm a bit like Forrest Gump in the sense that I seize these opportunities when they present themselves and experience life as it happens to the fullest all around me.

Anyway, above I've included a pic of the Marlborough Sounds again...and the fabulous weather that I experienced. Off to Auckland bright and early tomorrow morning.

Friends... Mates.... all the same just different words

For the past few days I've been staying at a B&B in Christchurch with a great guy named Bruce Morrison, the place was recommended to me by Yvon. Bruce even took me on a tour of Littleton and Sumner (towns that are nearby and enroute to the Akaroa peninsula). Christchurch claims to be more English than England but I think that's just silliness. The weather has been improving ever so slightly since I arrived only two days of rainy sun and today was gorgeous.

So...what have I been up too you might ask... well yesterday a friend of mine named Scott flew in from Australia (Scott is a kiwi that I met in Takaka and then again went to the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival together). Scott has a batch (aka a cottage) just outside of Christchurch at a place called Selwyn Huts and he invited me to come over crash at his place.

The batch was quite reminiscent of cottages that I've visited in Ontario - even with that cottage smell - I think everyone knows what I'm talking about... Anyway, he had heaps of things to do today so I decided to help him out with doing some chores around the house, so I did some sanding of the window frames as well as did the cutting-in for painting of his living room. In return he provided me with a cosy place to stay (albeit a bit chilly), a roast dinner and good company (just like the Swiss Chalet commercial... I went for the company...or whatever the comment is).

Great day - heading to Blenheim tomorrow on the train!

LONG day....

After cycling about 160kms I finally made it to the Christchurch sign (as seen in the photo). My eyes were filled with tears of joy and happiness of my accomplishment... I was almost in the City. Throughout the day I had been thinking about eveyone that I've met on my journey around the country as well as those that have been supporting me and cheering me on from Canada (and around the world).

Earlier in the day I almost gave up...YES...after cycling about 140km I was in heaps of pain (legs were sore as) and I felt I couldn't go on...so I stopped and tried to hitchhike (yes a gutsy move with a bicycle). Funny no one stopped. Until a Ute slowed down that was packed and they informed me that Glentunnel was only 3km away... it was what I needed 'HOPE'.

Also at this point I remembered that I had brought Advil with me so I popped a tablet and cycled slowly to the town, where I had a much needed rest, a bacon and egg pie and a coffee. The spark was reignited and I was able to carry on.


I figure yesterday was my last official LONG day of cycling in New Zealand. Autumn has hit the South Island hard and cycling in the rain and dismal cloud for 6-8 hours a day is a bit grim...so I decided to book myself on the train to Picton area (Blenheim actually) so I might have to cycle to Picton (or catch a lift if I'm lucky) and then cross back to the North Island on April 13.

Thanks to everyone reading this - trust me when you cycle all day... you are all being thought of at least once or more.

Steep Streets of the World

Autumn is definitely here on the South Island, leaves are just beginning to change colours on the trees (not as colourful as Canada - sorry had to be said... but still beautiful). Over the past week I've seen on the news that trampers on the Milford Track have had to be helicoptered out as the weather has turned quite sour in that part of Fiordland... hence me changing my plans from doing the Kepler Track and instead heading directly to Dunedin. Let's just say that Dunedin hasn't been sunny either but a beautiful city nonetheless where I've met some wonderful kiwis.

I've been staying at a B&B in the North East Valley called the Glenroy Lodge. Ken and Ken are the hosts and very kind men... so kind in fact that they have invited me to stay one more night for free - and you know I like free things... so I will be leaving on Saturday morning heading north to Christchurch.

Also, I've tried climbing Baldwin Street a few times now... with some result - hence the picture attached.