tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83326886648892319192024-03-06T10:47:39.145+10:00Gone Fishin'A back roads tour of New Zealand's Southland...RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-43119189774948364022012-11-17T09:44:00.000+10:002012-12-02T22:04:54.649+10:00Return to Aotearoa: New Zealand - The Land of the Long White Cloud...<h4>
August 2012 </h4>
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In October 2010 I made my first cycle tour of New Zealand. I arrived in Christchurch shortly after a severe earthquake, and was shocked to see the damage wreaked upon this charming provincial city. So I vowed to return and try to make some contribution, however small, to the economic recovery of the region. Little did I to know that far worse was to come - a second major quake devastated large sections of the city, many homes and many of the historic buildings that gave the city its charm and character were destroyed, including the iconic Christchurch Cathedral, and sadly, many lives were lost.<br />
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My first attempt at a return visit in 2011 was thwarted by a volcanic eruption in Chile - the ash cloud from the eruption circled the globe, and my flight to New Zealand was cancelled at the last moment. Now, two years later, I'm preparing once again to tour.<br />
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This time, I'm going fishing. My fishing gear is packed, and I'll be taking to the back roads in search of a trout or two. Wish me luck - I've never fished for trout before and have no idea if I'll catch any, but I'm going to give it a try.<br />
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So, return flights to Dunedin are booked, leave is approved, and a new expedition touring bike awaits. I'm ready to roll... RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-1813827500727602772012-11-16T09:46:00.000+10:002012-12-02T22:03:54.065+10:00Maps and Information: Hmmm - there are a lot more hills...<div class="post-header">
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<h4>
<b>Useful Links</b></h4>
New Zealand has become adept at marketing itself as a tourism destination, and a quick search of the internet will reveal a plethora of information for intending visitors.<br />
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A great place to start looking is the <a href="http://www.newzealand.com/travel/International/" target="_blank">Tourism New Zealand</a> web site, while the cycle tourist will find much useful information on the <a href="http://www.cycletour.org.nz/" target="_blank">CycleTour New Zealand</a> website.<br />
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An excellent <a href="http://www.paradise-press.co.nz/" target="_blank">guide book</a> is Nigel Rushton's "Pedallers' Paradise", and the <a href="http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/" target="_blank">NZ Camping guide</a> has a comprehensive listing of camp grounds and accommodation. I ordered the electronic version by email and installed it on my netbook. A handy Dunedin Cycling <a href="https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/133529/Dunedin-Cycling-Map-May-2012.pdf" target="_blank">map</a> is also available.<br />
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If you prefer a transfer from the airport to your accommodation the <a href="http://www.supershuttle.co.nz/" target="_blank">Super Shuttle</a> service uses mini-buses with baggage trailers and is very economical.<br />
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Bookings for the scenic railway can be made on the <a href="http://www.taieri.co.nz/" target="_blank">Taieri Gorge Railway</a> web site. Information about the Otago Rail Trail is available <a href="http://www.otagorailtrail.co.nz/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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If you are interested in fishing, you probably know that New Zealand has some of the best trout fishing anywhere in the world. Get a fishing licence online from <a href="http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/" target="_blank">Fish and Game</a>. Find information about where to fish from <a href="http://www.nzfishing.com/index.htm" target="_blank">NZ Fishing</a>. And look to <a href="http://www.bishfish.co.nz/index.html" target="_blank">Bish & Fish</a> for a wealth of tips about fishing techniques and gear. These are just a few pages amongst a plethora of sites about NZ fishing.<br />
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<h4>
<b>The Route</b></h4>
Starting in Dunedin I'll make my way to Middlemarch, at the start of the <a href="http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/index.html" target="_blank">Otago Rail Trail</a>, which I'll follow as far as Naseby. Here I'll head across <a href="http://www.danseyspass.co.nz/" target="_blank">Dansey's Pass</a> to Kurow, then on over the Hakataramea Pass to Lake Tekapo. I visited here on my last tour, but it's a lovely spot and well worth another look.<br />
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Leaving Lake Tekapo I'll turn south, and follow the Tepako canal. It's here that I expect to find my first <a href="http://www.nzfishing.com/FishingWaters/CentralSouthIsland/CSIFishingWaters/CSIHydrocanals.htm" target="_blank">fishing</a> opportunity - the <a href="http://www.mtcookalpinesalmon.com/home.aspx" target="_blank">Mt Cook Salmon</a> farm near the penstock pond attracts the wild trout with it's abundant feed, and it's reputed that the trout here are big...<br />
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From the canal I'll skirt round the bottom of Lake Pukaki and take the side road to Mt Cook. I'm going to spend a day here to visit the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/canterbury/Aoraki/walks-in-aoraki-mt-cook-national-park.pdf" target="_blank">Tasman Glacier</a>.<br />
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Then I'll continue south to Omarama, where I'll take to the back roads through the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/otago/central-otago/oteake-conservation-park/" target="_blank">Oteake Conservation area</a> over Little Omarama Pass to Falls Dam, where I hope to have a second fishing opportunity. Then I'll rejoin the Otago Rail Trail as far as Omakau, where I'll head off into the back blocks again along Thomsons Gorge Road to Cromwell and on to Wanaka.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/new-zealand/Revealing-lake-wanaka/" target="_blank">Wanaka</a> is one of my favourite destinations, and I'll have a lay day there to soak up the beautifully scenic landscape. Then comes one of the highlights of the tour - the ride up the <a href="http://www.newzealand.com/int/article/the-crown-range/" target="_blank">Crown Range Road</a> through Cardrona. It's the highest main road in New Zealand, and at the top of the road the panoramic views from Coronet peak over Arrowtown and Queenstown to The Remarkables are breathtaking. <br />
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I'll spent a day in Queenstown, then take the steamer <a href="http://www.tssearnslaw.co.nz/tss-earnslaw/" target="_blank">TSS Earnslaw</a> across Lake Wakitipu to Walter Peak, and then follow the Von River road to <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/southland/southland/mavora-lakes-park/" target="_blank">Mavora Lakes</a>, where I have another chance to catch a trout, before continuing to Te Anau.<br />
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Since I've cruised Milford Sound on a previous visit, this time I'm going to take an excursion to <a href="http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/Main/Doubtfuldaytime/" target="_blank">Doubtful Sound</a>, then I'll continue through Manapouri and Tuatapere to Invercargill. The <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412080/" target="_blank">World's Fastest Indian</a> of Hollywood fame is on display in E Hayes and Sons <a href="http://www.ehayes.co.nz/burt-munro/" target="_blank">hardware store</a> and is a must see. I'll make a side trip to <a href="http://www.bluff.co.nz/index.html" target="_blank">Bluff</a> and sample some of their famous oysters, then I'll follow the coast to Curio Bay and on through <a href="http://www.catlins-nz.com/" target="_blank">The Catlins</a> back to Dunedin, where I'll round off the tour with trip on the Taieri Gorge scenic railway.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Beach+Bay,+Walter+Peak,+Otago,+New+Zealand&daddr=Te+Anau,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Tuatapere,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Riverton,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Invercargill,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Bluff,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Curio+Bay,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Papatowai,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Dunedin,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Middlemarch,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Naseby,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Kurow,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Lake+Tekapo,+Canterbury,+New+Zealand+to:Mount+Cook+National+Park,+Canterbury,+New+Zealand+to:Omarama,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Omakau,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Wanaka,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Queenstown,+Otago,+New+Zealand&hl=en&sll=-44.680738,166.673498&sspn=0.050166,0.108232&geocode=FaGyT_0d2tULCilJjotNZvvUqTGQG2Wrhu8AKg%3BFcwHS_0dpSz_CSlrXmaVIG3UqTFQtHmEhu8ABQ%3BFREGQP0dB7z-CSktgPsroLPTqTGQunmEhu8ABQ%3BFReLPP0dEsEDCilVRAyTbvDSqTFQ8nmEhu8ABQ%3BFX3KO_0d7d8ICinXaRSslMTSqTEgpJbniO8ACg%3BFUTyOP0dbcAICim7RzpOZLjSqTGQYXmEhu8ABQ%3BFdsYOP0djkYUCimdMMi0jWwtqDEQeXmEhu8ABQ%3BFeyKOf0dn-kZCikjpHG8MqEtqDFAa3mEhu8ABQ%3BFRjyQ_0djqopCik9UV8P4OQrqDFBmXmEhu8ABQ%3BFQeeSf0dtdAjCimVX3vN_ZIrqDFAjnmEhu8ABQ%3BFf7-UP0dJkAkCil_1mm6TUUqqDGAknmEhu8ABQ%3BFXtsVf0dxCkpCim9bnc_EnIqqDGggHmEhu8ABQ%3BFS2JYP0dlkcpCimZrDHBGpkrbTHAgnmEhu8ABQ%3BFUumZP0dG4kjCintspyr4cUrbTHA5XmEhu8ABQ%3BFZgqWf0dUH0hCilD5_B1btIqbTHQmHmEhu8ABQ%3BFa3pT_0dSesbCimb0K5mxOAqqDGwmHmEhu8ABQ%3BFcn6Vf0dor0UCilvLey5HUbVqTHgwXmEhu8ABQ%3BFQbhUP0ddJYNCilf3qjX8R3VqTEApnmEhu8ABQ&t=p&dirflg=w&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=-45.197522,169.16748&spn=3.716015,7.03125&z=7&output=embed" width="640"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=Beach+Bay,+Walter+Peak,+Otago,+New+Zealand&daddr=Te+Anau,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Tuatapere,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Riverton,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Invercargill,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Bluff,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Curio+Bay,+Southland,+New+Zealand+to:Papatowai,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Dunedin,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Middlemarch,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Naseby,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Kurow,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Lake+Tekapo,+Canterbury,+New+Zealand+to:Mount+Cook+National+Park,+Canterbury,+New+Zealand+to:Omarama,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Omakau,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Wanaka,+Otago,+New+Zealand+to:Queenstown,+Otago,+New+Zealand&hl=en&sll=-44.680738,166.673498&sspn=0.050166,0.108232&geocode=FaGyT_0d2tULCilJjotNZvvUqTGQG2Wrhu8AKg%3BFcwHS_0dpSz_CSlrXmaVIG3UqTFQtHmEhu8ABQ%3BFREGQP0dB7z-CSktgPsroLPTqTGQunmEhu8ABQ%3BFReLPP0dEsEDCilVRAyTbvDSqTFQ8nmEhu8ABQ%3BFX3KO_0d7d8ICinXaRSslMTSqTEgpJbniO8ACg%3BFUTyOP0dbcAICim7RzpOZLjSqTGQYXmEhu8ABQ%3BFdsYOP0djkYUCimdMMi0jWwtqDEQeXmEhu8ABQ%3BFeyKOf0dn-kZCikjpHG8MqEtqDFAa3mEhu8ABQ%3BFRjyQ_0djqopCik9UV8P4OQrqDFBmXmEhu8ABQ%3BFQeeSf0dtdAjCimVX3vN_ZIrqDFAjnmEhu8ABQ%3BFf7-UP0dJkAkCil_1mm6TUUqqDGAknmEhu8ABQ%3BFXtsVf0dxCkpCim9bnc_EnIqqDGggHmEhu8ABQ%3BFS2JYP0dlkcpCimZrDHBGpkrbTHAgnmEhu8ABQ%3BFUumZP0dG4kjCintspyr4cUrbTHA5XmEhu8ABQ%3BFZgqWf0dUH0hCilD5_B1btIqbTHQmHmEhu8ABQ%3BFa3pT_0dSesbCimb0K5mxOAqqDGwmHmEhu8ABQ%3BFcn6Vf0dor0UCilvLey5HUbVqTHgwXmEhu8ABQ%3BFQbhUP0ddJYNCilf3qjX8R3VqTEApnmEhu8ABQ&t=p&dirflg=w&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=-45.197522,169.16748&spn=3.716015,7.03125&z=7&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small> <br />
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Note that Google maps is unable to show the back country route between Omarama (O) and Omakau (P). It's roughly in a direct line between the two. I'm starting from Dunedin (I) and travelling in an anti-clockwise direction.<br />
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<h4>
Itinerary </h4>
This is the plan, but as always I'm prepared to be flexible if necessary. There are a couple of days buffer at the end in case of any delays -if they are not used I'll spend them sightseeing around the Dunedin area, and perhaps take a trip around the Otago Peninsula. <br />
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The detailed itinerary is here: <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B25nNDjSlFNKYW55YmNZZWEwWFU" target="_blank">Gone Fishin' tour of NZ</a>RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-4154234882381702922012-11-16T09:45:00.000+10:002012-12-02T22:03:08.557+10:00New Zealand Climate: Wet and wetter...<h4>
<b>Eastern South Island</b></h4>
The climate of this zone is greatly
dependent on the lie of the massive Southern Alps to the west. Summer
temperatures are warm, with highest temperatures occurring when hot dry
foehn northwesterlies blow over the Alps and plains. Mean annual
rainfall is low, and long dry spells can occur, especially in summer.
For much of the time summer temperatures are moderated by a cool
northeasterly sea breeze.<br />
<br />
Typical summer daytime
maximum air temperatures range from 18°C to 26°C, but may rise to more
than 30°C. A temperature of 42°C has been recorded in Christchurch.
Winters are cold with frequent frost. Typical winter daytime maximum air
temperatures range from 7°C to 14°C. Northeasterlies prevail about the
coast for much of the year. Southwesterlies are more frequent during
winter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp7tH08hvGEZXvG3ku159_jx-9nB8FEmR7Er5X9PavSI2YoX_gCx4mf7ZrPNO068NzghQ2o_nkFZrd8oS2C8I7L4rkACKzmUPVDORC0jMXAfYkaeHM93h4ICvQWHab6UkoMe3BT7Lo3g/s1600/chcclim.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp7tH08hvGEZXvG3ku159_jx-9nB8FEmR7Er5X9PavSI2YoX_gCx4mf7ZrPNO068NzghQ2o_nkFZrd8oS2C8I7L4rkACKzmUPVDORC0jMXAfYkaeHM93h4ICvQWHab6UkoMe3BT7Lo3g/s200/chcclim.gif" width="147" /></a></div>
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<h4>
<b>Western South Island</b></h4>
The
climate of this area is greatly dependent on its exposure to weather
systems from the Tasman Sea and the lie of the Southern Alps to the
east. Although mean annual rainfall is very high, dry spells do occur,
especially in late summer and during winter. Heavy rainfall occurs from
the northwest. Summers are mild.<br />
<br />
Typical summer daytime
maximum air temperatures range from 17°C to 22°C and seldom exceed
25°C. Winter days often start with frost. Typical winter daytime maximum
air temperatures range from 10°C to 14°C. Northnortheast winds prevail
along the coast in Westport and Hokitika while southwesterlies prevail
in coastal areas further south. Sea breezes can occur on warm summer
days.<br />
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-90208549721518362002012-11-15T09:45:00.000+10:002012-12-02T22:10:52.868+10:00The bike and baggage: Ready for an expedition...I have another new bike for this tour. It's a Van Nicholas Pioneer: a Rohloff-equipped titanium-framed expedition touring bike. If you are interested in the details, you can read about the building the bike in a series of posts on my <a href="http://wheelswhisper.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/van-nicholas-pioneer-project.html" target="_blank">whispering wheels</a> web page.<br />
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<i>Edit: While dismantling the bike for packing I discovered a problem that could not be fixed before departure. I've been forced to pack the bike I used on my last New Zealand tour, the Sabbath Silk Route. Because this is primarily a highway touring bike I will have to adjust my itinerary to avoid the rougher back roads. </i><br />
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This trip will be only a shakedown tour, for larger plans are afoot, including a tour of Patagonia, South America along the Carretera Austral, built by the infamous Augusto Pinochet.<br />
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Once again, my equipment is almost entirely lightweight gear - stuff which I have used extensively for bushwalking in Australia and trekking in Nepal, and on my previous cycling tours. My philosophy is to carry no more weight on my bike than I would on my back, that is, less than 20 kg, and preferably, no more than 15 kg. <br />
<br />
Here are my gear selections and checklist. <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B25nNDjSlFNKNzc4MDI5MzAtNTA5NC00YzE1LTljMjMtYmY2MmRiN2Q2ZWFh" target="_blank">Touring Gear Checklist</a><br />
<br />RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-1461382782528627322012-11-14T09:47:00.000+10:002012-12-02T22:01:52.075+10:00Packing: It should be easy this time...When I left on my last trip to New Zealand, I discovered that the airline baggage policy had changed and I was hit with excess baggage charges. So once again I was considering leaving my heavy wheeled bike bag at home and packing the bike in a cardboard box.<br />
<br />
But just before I booked flights, the airline once again announced a change to baggage policy, which allows me to have an extra piece of luggage (23kg) for $25. This is a bargain compared to the $10kg excess baggage charge, and will let me use the wheeled bag and not have to be quite so scrupulous with my packing. So I'm very happy about that.<br />
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I have located a backpacker in Dunedin who will let me have a private room to assemble and store the bike, and will store the bike bag and any surplus gear while I'm on the road, so things are definitely coming together.<br />
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-6542518700456002932012-11-13T09:44:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:54:59.211+10:00Where am I? - tracking my location...This tour I'm planning to explore some of the backroads - places where cycle tourists don't usually venture, and where there is likely to be little traffic of any kind. So as a solo traveller it seemed a sensible precaution to have a means of requesting assistance in the event of a mishap.<br />
<br />
I started by investigating personal locator beacons - but soon found that PLB's are only capable of one-way communications, and are relatively expensive for devices with limited capabilities. So I investigated several tracking devices, and eventually settled on the <a href="http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreach-smartphone.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DeLorme Inreach</a>. If you want one, the Australian agent for the Inreach is <a href="http://www.track4ever.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Track4Ever</a>.<br />
<br />
The Inreach is a little cheaper than a PLB, but of course there is a catch - you must sign up to a service plan with the Iridium satellite service. However, DeLorme offer a seasonal plan where the service is active for four months and is then suspended until the following year. It's still expensive but the SOS service provides affordable peace of mind. Best of all it allows two-way messaging and tracking. And the Inreach synchronises with an iOS or Android smartphone to send and receive messages and to provide full GPS navigation using the DeLorme Earthmate app.<br />
<br />
So my little free-loading friend Boofle will be coming along to help with the navigation, and you will be able find out where we are by clicking the link on the sidebar.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-tAFz62OaA/UHFs9szBnII/AAAAAAAACYA/SLtf8nxWsGA/s1600/Where%2527s+Boofle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-tAFz62OaA/UHFs9szBnII/AAAAAAAACYA/SLtf8nxWsGA/s400/Where%2527s+Boofle.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's Boofle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The link will take you to the <a href="http://share.delorme.com/?MapId=564696b9b28f4c04b59e8def5ac732eb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DeLorme Mapshare</a> page. You will need the Internet Explorer or Firefox browser to view the map.<br />
<br />RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-28664527154911017282012-11-12T14:46:00.000+10:002012-12-03T11:42:09.532+10:00On the way at last<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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</style><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">It was quite an early start this morning, but the maxi taxi I had pre-booked arrived on time and the trip via the new Airport Link road was over quickly. The airport check-in area was very busy already, but my ticket class included priority check-in, so I avoided the long queue and was soon relaxing in the departure lounge.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">The approach to Dunedin was cloudy and bumpy after a smooth flight from Brisbane. On the ground it was raining, and the temperature was only 5C.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">Dunedin Airport is small, and there was a long queue at immigration control. Then my bike and camping gear had to be inspected, so it took quite a while entering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">As I loaded my bike into a shuttle in the freezing downpour, clumps of slushy ice were sliding off the roof of the bus. Hmmmm – not a promising start for a cycle tour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">On the short ride into the city, I couldn’t help but notice that it was surrounded by hills. The shuttle driver informed me that the city has the world’s steepest residential street – Baldwin Street, and that there was no way out of the city that avoids the hills, except by train. This is the exit of choice for most cycle tourists – to take the Taieri Gorge tourist train to the start of the Otago Rail Trail.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">The shuttle bus delivered me to my accommodation with time to check in and then take a short walk to the shopping precinct, where I was able to purchase a prepay card for my phone and get back on the air – great, I can get email again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">In short order I was able to locate the supermarket and the railway station, and check the route out of the city. It rises quite steeply just a few hundred metres from where I’m staying, so there is no opportunity to warm up before the climbing commences. The rail option is looking more and more attractive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">New Zealand is on daylight saving time, so it was still quite light at 7pm. I found a likely looking place to eat, had a huge lump of steak and my first NZ beer for the trip, then wandered back to my room and turned in early.</span></div>
RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-2431608673622855622012-11-11T14:58:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:51:45.340+10:00A day in Dunedin<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Woke to fine but cloudy morning, and had a
lazy lie-in…there’s no point hurrying, since the shops don’t open until 9am. It’s
already much warmer than yesterday, and the weather is expected to improve, but
as in Oz, the locals are a little mystified by the recent weather trends. Eventually
I got going and wandered off looking for breakfast, finding a café open near
the supermarket.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Finding what I wanted in the supermarket
took a while longer. Many of the brands
are unfamiliar, but eventually I found most of what I needed. New World supermarkets seem to be the local
equivalent of Coles – I can recall the days of Coles New World supermarkets in
Oz. There is no shortage of products here, and if anything the range is better
than at home.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Next, a visit to a fishing tackle shop, to
pick up a few more shiny lures and pump the locals for fishing information –
and very helpful they were. I came a way with some goods tips and locations to
fish.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">After surveying the route yesterday, I’ve
pretty well decided to take the train out of the city. My preference is to have
a few easy days at the start of a tour. A steep climb on the morning of the
first day invites a muscular injury and is to be avoided. So next stop the
railway station to make a booking, then a quick turn around the city centre
before returning to my room to assemble the bike.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The assembly went smoothly, and by
mid-afternoon the bike was ready, my gear organized and bike bag put in storage
until my return. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">And since I’ve now been here for two
nights, it’s time I had some of those fush’n’chups.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8-1K5tvN2Q/UIJn-sraUWI/AAAAAAAACac/JE-Z9Z2NKMg/s1600/DSC00063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8-1K5tvN2Q/UIJn-sraUWI/AAAAAAAACac/JE-Z9Z2NKMg/s400/DSC00063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunedin Railway Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOJrj95vgeQ/UIJodzF4UHI/AAAAAAAACao/pNmckTj1uYc/s1600/DSC00070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOJrj95vgeQ/UIJodzF4UHI/AAAAAAAACao/pNmckTj1uYc/s400/DSC00070.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boofle gets acquainted with poet Robbie Burns...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-40171973368823500312012-11-10T15:07:00.000+10:002013-07-27T21:51:18.790+10:00On the march: to Middlemarch...<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">This morning was the first time packing and
loading the bike this tour, but it was all done by 8am, and I set of for the
railway station, just a few minutes cycling away. The bike felt very heavy, but
after a few days riding I’ll get used to it.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">There’s a handy café across the road from
the station, and it was one of the few operating early on a Sunday morning.
It’s a funny thing but when you order a cappuccino, they ask if you want
chocolate or cinnamon spinkles.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">At the station the bike and gear was
quickly loaded into the goods van, and we were soon on our way. The ride
through the Taieri Gorge is indeed spectacular, and the railroad is an
engineering marvel. Reaching Middlemarch there were many cyclists in the street
– some arriving to meet the train, other about to depart on the rail
trail. I was surprised to see so many
this early in the season.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The local pub was just across the road from
the station, and seemed a likely place to spend the night. In no time at all I
was settled into a homely room – country pub style, cheap and cheerful.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">So tomorrow will be first day on the bike.
I’m undecided whether to take the rail trail or stick to the road. I’ll give it
a try over a short section to see how the bike handles it. If it too rough,
I’ll take the road instead.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ae_FHemc69g/UIN6_6dZuKI/AAAAAAAACbc/jGprWxvuOKs/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ae_FHemc69g/UIN6_6dZuKI/AAAAAAAACbc/jGprWxvuOKs/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+13.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunedin Railway Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L24o7FhBA9s/UIN6-5XT6_I/AAAAAAAACbY/dxHP6xMAvnQ/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L24o7FhBA9s/UIN6-5XT6_I/AAAAAAAACbY/dxHP6xMAvnQ/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+16.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taieri Gorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWWnud-hulQ/UIN7ASgwWrI/AAAAAAAACbk/BBaji990alg/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWWnud-hulQ/UIN7ASgwWrI/AAAAAAAACbk/BBaji990alg/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+18.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the railroad...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-40179798648673931912012-11-09T09:40:00.000+10:002012-12-02T22:06:47.344+10:00Makin’ movies: On the rail trail to Ranfurly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US">Distance: 64.25km. Time: 5:23 hours. </span></h2>
<span lang="EN-US">I settled in to the Middlemarch pub and
spent the afternoon updating my blog. In the evening the pub was full of
ploughmen, who were in town for the long weekend to attend a ploughing
competition, and like most country folk were happy to share a yarn over a beer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US">Overnight the temperature dropped sharply,
and when I looked out my window this morning, there was a fresh mantle of snow
on the hills.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US">Eventually I got my panniers packed and the
bike loaded, and headed off to the station for a photo before the obligatory
stop at the local café for a second breakfast – a cappuccino and an excellent
steak pie. Then with a muffin for morning tea, I set off, with a cold and brisk
southerly wind at my back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US">The rail trail started just out of town.
The surface looked reasonable, so I set off to see how the bike would handle
the conditions. And it handled them very well. As rode along, I could see snow
showers falling on the hills, and few of them caught up with me so I had to
stop to put my rain jacket on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US">After 15 kms the highway crossed the rail
trail. At the junction a film crew (well, a cameraman and a cyclist), were
making a video about the rail trail. I was the first of several encounters with
them for the day. I soon met them again at a monument to a train disaster.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US">I left the rail trail and continued on the
highway, which proved to be the much faster surface, reaching Hyde in time for
lunch and my third encounter with the film crew, and was included in a scene
having lunch with the actor/cyclist., and on his advice, returned to the rail
trail for the next section through a narrow gorge where the highway climbed
several steep hills.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US">This section included a tunnel and viaduct,
and some great scenery through the gorge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film crew appeared several more times
along here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US">Clearing the section I returned to the
highway for the last 20 km. For the first 5 km the wind was at my back, but
then the road veered around and the wind blew in my left ear for the rest of
the ride, with a few showers of sleet for good measure, and I was very chilled.
It seemed the longest 15 km I’ve ridden, and by the time I reached Ranfurly
there was no feeling in my hands. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US">The holiday camp was conveniently located near
the town centre, and after a few minutes I was standing in a warm shower
thawing out. The bed looked comfortable so I sat down on it for a few minutes,
and promptly dozed off. When I woke up it was almost 8 pm so it was off to the
pub for a beer and a meal, but I could hardly keep my eyes open, so it was
straight back to the holiday park and bed. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedx648ZWVfD94BUHsvYR1FZYQaY0Yz1Spx4E3V5rsMg3WOJeTLNYN3-p1ZpEtqciBAPhJUdd4GS0RNJz9ZMKV1v6CegrUrWxiUiErKoH1RnzwXEbMJY4mBam6pVQtaGSqMvSsmNvNBLoa/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedx648ZWVfD94BUHsvYR1FZYQaY0Yz1Spx4E3V5rsMg3WOJeTLNYN3-p1ZpEtqciBAPhJUdd4GS0RNJz9ZMKV1v6CegrUrWxiUiErKoH1RnzwXEbMJY4mBam6pVQtaGSqMvSsmNvNBLoa/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+19.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boofle's keen to go...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLqo4X-G42c/UIh24TEhRiI/AAAAAAAACdg/DQvABlAsPow/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLqo4X-G42c/UIh24TEhRiI/AAAAAAAACdg/DQvABlAsPow/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Otago Rail Trail, at Hyde.<br />
That cyclist across the bridge is being videoed by the cameraman behind the fence... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oLi57kv747A/UIh24oQQ2RI/AAAAAAAACdg/M20dRbhoarc/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oLi57kv747A/UIh24oQQ2RI/AAAAAAAACdg/M20dRbhoarc/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+21.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kakanui Range - Danseys Pass is somewhere up there...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-13805008900168759082012-11-08T09:48:00.000+10:002012-12-02T22:06:02.883+10:00Waiting for good weather: a short cruise to Naseby...<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">Distance: 16.4km. Time: 1:33 hours. </span></h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">Yesterday I could see my planned route over
the mountains was covered with fresh white snow, and clouds and showers
lingered. This made my plan to cross Danseys Pass seem very unlikely unless
the weather improved significantly. I considered my options, but staying low
meant cutting almost a week of my tour. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">So I decided to press on and spend the
night in Naseby, hoping that a forecast change in the wind would arrive, and
the crossing of the pass would be feasible. And if the weather didn’t improve
I’d continue along to the end of the rail trail where I could perhaps take a
bus to Lake Tekapo.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">With only 15 kms to cover, I didn’t rush
this morning. After a late breakfast in a local café, I set out and after an
easy ride reached Naseby just after midday, set myself up in a room at the
local pub, and now I’m sitting by the fire in the bar to update my journal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">I should have been here yesterday, but as
things turned out, that was an ambitious plan. Tomorrow will be decision day.
If the weather is good I’ll head on up the pass, at least to the hotel, but on
over to Dunstan or Kurow if conditions are favourable. Otherwise I’ll return to
the rail trail and head for Alexandra, where I may decide to take a bus to Lake
Tekapo.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi8TpV9t4iI/UIh284sccJI/AAAAAAAACdg/_hEzRrxNGFg/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi8TpV9t4iI/UIh284sccJI/AAAAAAAACdg/_hEzRrxNGFg/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+34.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep - the pass is that way...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EntPd0Zlrsg/UIh28mOQXxI/AAAAAAAACdg/EIoWXXkR9Sc/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EntPd0Zlrsg/UIh28mOQXxI/AAAAAAAACdg/EIoWXXkR9Sc/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A welcoming spot - 150 years pub at Naseby.</td></tr>
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<br />RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-73258936164629154472012-11-07T09:59:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:42:52.557+10:00Danseys Pass: crossing the Kakanui Range…<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Distance: 70km. Time: 6:46 hours. </span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">This morning was decision time: to attempt
the pass, or re-route along the rail trail. Looking out the window, the sky was
cloudy grey, but there seemed to be no wind blowing – the trees where still.
But the last night the TV weather service had warned that northwesterly gales
were expected, with wind speeds up to 130 kph.</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">But I decided to go for the pass, and
fueled up for the day with a big pub breakfast. Luckily as it turned out – it
was going to be a long day.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Setting off from Naseby, the road
immediately ascends a short but steep climb – my cold legs protested, and I
found myself walking a short distance, but the road soon leveled, and
unexpected opened onto a broad plain, with the hills some way off in the distance.
The gravel road surface was reasonable,
with only occasional corrugations and rougher sections. But the loose gravel
buildup meant care and concentration were required to avoid loosing grip with
the front wheel. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">I made good progress, and by 10:30am had
arrived at the Dansey Pass Hotel, an amazing building built right on the edge
of the road. Still feeling replete from my breakfast, I stopped only long
enough for a brownie and a cappuccino, and then headed for the pass still some
13 kms away.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The climb proper began soon after leaving
the hotel, and whilst it wasn’t overly steep, there was a place where I walked
a short distance, and quite a few oxygen stops before reaching the pass. There
was no sign at the high point, and the saddle is quite broad, so it was not until
the road headed down that I realized the pass had been crossed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Descending was not so easy either – hard
braking was required to control my speed, and I developed severe arm pump and
wrist pain. But eventually the road leveled and I stopped to enjoy the lemon
muffin I bought in Ranfurly yesterday.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Thinking I only had to cruise down the
highway to Duntroon for refreshments, and then on to Kurow, I continued downhill, and discover the route had
a nasty sting in it tail – a second climb, shorter but steeper than the pass,
and a killer for my tiring legs. Eventually after three or four oxygen stops I
crested the ridge and set off down to Duntroon, where I received another rude
shock – turning west onto the highway I discovered the predicted gales had
arrived. The Duntroon Hotel had closed down, the local café only opens Thursdays to Sundays, and the only sign of life was at the tractor shop., which could at
least offer a can of soft drink.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The idea of setting up my tent at the domain camping ground in the gale
didn’t appeal, so I set out to ride the final 20 kms to Kurow, straight into
the gathering winds. I got no more than a few kms before realizing I my weary legs couldn’t
make it, and stopped at a Maori rock art site, where I thought to pitch my tent
behind a big boulder once the sun went down and I was out of sight. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">But a short time later some geocachers
arrived in a camper van, and the cache they were seeking was right where I had
parked my bike. They offered to take me to Kurow, and I gratefully accepted. We
crammed my bike and gear into the camper, and a few more geocaches later; I was
delivered to the holiday park, where I have decided to have a lay day tomorrow and
to review my itinerary.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-digubp6Imzc/UIh29OKHBMI/AAAAAAAACdg/W1fQdsHHc7Y/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-digubp6Imzc/UIh29OKHBMI/AAAAAAAACdg/W1fQdsHHc7Y/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+35.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gravel road begins...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yEwnAn9MnY/UIh3ChcPu9I/AAAAAAAACdg/jWqh46Mq-0Y/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yEwnAn9MnY/UIh3ChcPu9I/AAAAAAAACdg/jWqh46Mq-0Y/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+37.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But the pass is open...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fjMv7Cf7t4/UIh3BH12cSI/AAAAAAAACdg/gCfrzxp0KuY/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fjMv7Cf7t4/UIh3BH12cSI/AAAAAAAACdg/gCfrzxp0KuY/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so is the hotel...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DK0LBY4o_FA/UIh3AVQAIaI/AAAAAAAACdg/Jz-qIGXjsP0/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DK0LBY4o_FA/UIh3AVQAIaI/AAAAAAAACdg/Jz-qIGXjsP0/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Boofle - you didn't do any pedalling...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHjkm-Ub1Zw/UIh3FHElBGI/AAAAAAAACdg/yZj_L5TWKUc/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BHjkm-Ub1Zw/UIh3FHElBGI/AAAAAAAACdg/yZj_L5TWKUc/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+44.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hotel is right by the road side...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsAisIerB1g/UIh3EcfpAtI/AAAAAAAACdg/4h6lCNcoGEs/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsAisIerB1g/UIh3EcfpAtI/AAAAAAAACdg/4h6lCNcoGEs/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+47.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, we forgot to put up a sign - that's the pass, back there (in the centre)...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-55001067118008216972012-11-06T07:20:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:40:58.202+10:00Taking a break: in Kurow<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">After yesterdays epic ride, and the final
struggle with the wind, I’m taking a break in Kurow to do my laundry and rest
my weary legs before attempting to cross the Hakataramea Pass.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">I’m at the Kurow holiday park, which would
have to one of the nicest I’ve seen, and by the size of it, a very popular
place in peak season. The walls of the park office are adorned with photos of
some huge salmon and trout taken from the Waitaki River, which bounds the park
to the north.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">So with the laundry under way I wandered in
to the town centre, where I picked up supplies to cook my dinner, and then
stopped at the café for the giant hamburger I had been promising myself all day
yesterday, but never got.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Back at the park, I finished the laundry
and then rigged my fishing rod and wandered over to the riverbank to see if I
would have any beginners luck. I got a little bushed in the maze of channels,
and didn’t find the good fishing pools. I had some casting practice but caught
no fish. But it was a welcome diversion
for a few hours.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">For dinner I cooked up a huge pot of
spaghetti bolognese, and somehow managed to devour the lot.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p6pL44nJwH2yHDUrN_wfnfPU-rc1YSfUOomEEr_eb11Zr9pfBGebnYU8Omuw7O7R9nuJIuEClJaXYjcquh-A0Ej7gvlVSiHd_114Pop4S2PWbyBWvtbl1VdS5PQZiMzMc2Em6lLc67-u/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p6pL44nJwH2yHDUrN_wfnfPU-rc1YSfUOomEEr_eb11Zr9pfBGebnYU8Omuw7O7R9nuJIuEClJaXYjcquh-A0Ej7gvlVSiHd_114Pop4S2PWbyBWvtbl1VdS5PQZiMzMc2Em6lLc67-u/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+50.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boofle feeling at home here...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AA0vEf9_R58/UIxOz5Y6YlI/AAAAAAAACfE/8uSP-Aq5n_U/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AA0vEf9_R58/UIxOz5Y6YlI/AAAAAAAACfE/8uSP-Aq5n_U/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+49.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across to the Wataki River...</td></tr>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-89611694018797247822012-11-05T07:31:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:39:43.167+10:00A long way to the top: hacking the pass…<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Distance: 56 km. Time: 5:00 hours. </span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The crossing of the Hakataramea Pass looked
to be a challenge. It is 107 kms from Kurow to Lake Tekapo, and I had allowed two
days for the crossing, although I optimistically hoped to do it in one day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">After my customary bowl of oats I packed up
and headed into the town centre, where I had a second breakfast and gathered
lunch supplies, then headed off over the rickety looking bridge across the
Waitaki River. Immediately after the bridge, the road began with a sharp climb,
which once again had my cold legs protesting, but after a few ups and down the
road leveled out and headed up the beautiful Hakataramea Valley, an area of
rich farming land. It was a lovely day for cycling, and the air was redolent with the scent of newly-mowed hay.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The road continued dead straight and level
for kilometre after kilometre. Then after 34 kms the gravel section started,
and it was quite different to the Danseys Pass road, with heavy drifts of loose
gravel laying on the surface. This made for slow progress and demanded constant
concentration to avoid a front wheel washout.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">After a brief stop to devour the huge pork
sandwich from the bakery in Kurow, I continued on the seemingly endless
straight road, by now looking out for a suitable place to set up camp.
Eventually, at around 5 pm I reached the base of the climb to the pass, and
spotting a grassy patch next to a stream, set up my camp for the night. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdFODaqqLDg/UIxO0VletgI/AAAAAAAACfE/i7sUKg-XwJA/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdFODaqqLDg/UIxO0VletgI/AAAAAAAACfE/i7sUKg-XwJA/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+52.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Waitaki River bridge looks like it is ready to fall down...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Etacb8u9B9g/UIxO1RB4PLI/AAAAAAAACfE/WCtolA2UmGA/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Etacb8u9B9g/UIxO1RB4PLI/AAAAAAAACfE/WCtolA2UmGA/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+53.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boofle eyes my pork sanger...</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_e7B-O_-sVA/UIxO5RrzzsI/AAAAAAAACfE/dZw4T3ddKRQ/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_e7B-O_-sVA/UIxO5RrzzsI/AAAAAAAACfE/dZw4T3ddKRQ/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+55.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for somewhere to camp...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW_7vKF3iZo3BFqRiEmjKT3xmmuyU32Ba_rMY_G2h3wUrxrz87Rcg8Cmud98Uccgoj-kwohWlAjqr7tEUR1MJryDtGrhzDWNsRsZ-UY64e2KrWVnXP2byNxn7gRREzcBoxAcRKap4l0A5/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW_7vKF3iZo3BFqRiEmjKT3xmmuyU32Ba_rMY_G2h3wUrxrz87Rcg8Cmud98Uccgoj-kwohWlAjqr7tEUR1MJryDtGrhzDWNsRsZ-UY64e2KrWVnXP2byNxn7gRREzcBoxAcRKap4l0A5/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+56.jpg" width="400" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally finding it...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Cc5UUOiFEo/UIxO4zbwTtI/AAAAAAAACfE/JoI-8I2rDh0/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Cc5UUOiFEo/UIxO4zbwTtI/AAAAAAAACfE/JoI-8I2rDh0/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+57.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the Dalgety Stream...</td></tr>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-15440308666112872472012-11-04T07:38:00.000+10:002012-12-31T13:19:39.698+10:00Shut up legs: battling the winds once again…<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Distance: 52.6 km. Time: 6:42 hours. </span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">During the night the temperature dropped
well into single figures, but I was snug and very pleased that I’m using a
four-season tent. By morning, as I ate my oats and packed, a wind had started
blowing down from the pass, and I realized the day would not be easy. I probably should have expected the wind, as one of the ploughmen I met in Middlemarch had mentioned that the pass was well known to be very windy.</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Setting off meant immediate climbing, and
the road surface had deteriorated and was quite rough in places, so between the
wind, the grade and the road, I did quite a bit of walking. There were also quite a few streams to ford,
and I had to remove my shoes at several to make the crossing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Since I had camped a mere 6 km short of the
pass, I had expected to reach it in little more than an hour, but it was 11:30
by the time I crossed, so it had taken more than two hours. The wind was
howling over the pass, and it was all I could manage to take a photo before
quickly turning my wheels downward.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">I had hoped that the wind would ease once
clear of the pass, but it was not to be. I battled against it across the wide flat
Mackenzie Country all the way to Lake Tekapo, and it grew steadily stronger
throughout the afternoon. It took three hours to complete the last 10 kms. Jens Voigt's famous utterance "Shut up legs" was repeated time after time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">So for the second time I’ve arrived in a
state of near total exhaustion after battling the wind. But I returned to the
place where I stayed last visit, and got the same comfortable room. After a hot
shower and dinner over a couple of pints, I hit the sack and slept like a log.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBR4_QIhjOkNn3a0CB2t0Wgnzdh8bGr0WAn16OWFclcwTfN4Ff3dEohvH_gEoBzW9MlPgG_6_ghq6NqNOEUzqsHxg7omcxB0AHkSlZ7H2HH9aL7ozPrtn4LTEoPqru-uFGnqtXv178hcs/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBR4_QIhjOkNn3a0CB2t0Wgnzdh8bGr0WAn16OWFclcwTfN4Ff3dEohvH_gEoBzW9MlPgG_6_ghq6NqNOEUzqsHxg7omcxB0AHkSlZ7H2HH9aL7ozPrtn4LTEoPqru-uFGnqtXv178hcs/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+58.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Haka Pass, after battling all the way up against the howling wind...</td></tr>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-71866691413092976772012-11-03T15:29:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:38:35.160+10:00Time out: in Tekapo...After yesterdays epic, I'm having a lay day in Lake Tekapo to get my laundry in order and to give my legs a rest, before heading down to the Tekapo Canal tomorrow and trying my luck with the fishing.<br />
<br />
So today I occupied myself with chores, and a wander along the lake shores. It's such a scenic place, and I was happy to spend the time here after just a overnight visit last time here.<br />
<br />
Today would have been a perfect cycling day - sunny, warm, and no wind. Here's hoping that tomorrow will bring more of the same.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4BWFAN6hT4/UIy_1XO0xyI/AAAAAAAACgE/ZL_qP43oqz4/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4BWFAN6hT4/UIy_1XO0xyI/AAAAAAAACgE/ZL_qP43oqz4/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+60.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vertical turbine wheel from the hydro power station...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JedDCCEWmgU/UIy_2uq-HLI/AAAAAAAACgE/Z_mWKzlUfL4/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JedDCCEWmgU/UIy_2uq-HLI/AAAAAAAACgE/Z_mWKzlUfL4/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+81.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scenic panorama of the lakeside...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0HqjCD5TtA/UIy_2ghHj-I/AAAAAAAACgE/dDUP0g4K8zU/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0HqjCD5TtA/UIy_2ghHj-I/AAAAAAAACgE/dDUP0g4K8zU/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+79.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from my lunch spot...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcokpUlBjDE/UIy_04S0ghI/AAAAAAAACgE/G8VISoIktOk/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcokpUlBjDE/UIy_04S0ghI/AAAAAAAACgE/G8VISoIktOk/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+67.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boofle has a natter with one of the locals...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgUzrfTOxzQ/UIy_05CAfmI/AAAAAAAACgE/nN19WI87b7s/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgUzrfTOxzQ/UIy_05CAfmI/AAAAAAAACgE/nN19WI87b7s/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+65.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church of the Good Shepherd is a local icon...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-53318566369197882962012-11-02T18:43:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:38:14.242+10:00MacKenzie Country: on a perfect cycling day…<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Distance: 86.5 km. Ride Time: 5:23 hours.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">This evening I am in Omarama, after what
has been the nicest day I’ve ever experienced in New Zealand.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">For once I was packed early, fueled for the
day and on the road by 8:30. And it was a glorious start to the day – cool,
clear, and windless. I set out for the Mt Cook Salmon farm on Tekapo Canal, and
had easily covered the distance by mid-morning. Setting up my fishing rod, I
spent more than hour casting into the canal, but with no success. Eventually I
got a tangle in my line and called it a day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">So I resumed cycling to Twizel, where I had
planned tentatively to stay, arriving at around 2:30. But after a short break
to refuel, with excellent riding conditions and my legs feeling fresh, I decide
to continue on the extra 30 kms to Omarama.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Like the Kurow holiday park not far from
here, the Omarama holiday park is one of the nicest I’ve ever visited, and I
had no hesitation in returning.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Tomorrow I tackle Lindis Pass – not of
itself particularly difficult, but it’s about 125 kms to Wanaka, and the only
services, a café, are at Tarras some 80 kms away. It was a big day last visit,
this time I may break it as I have located a camping ground along the way. Well –
maybe…</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbboxDXDQJg/UI4-ESGVdAI/AAAAAAAAChI/FT_kHsz1sR4/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbboxDXDQJg/UI4-ESGVdAI/AAAAAAAAChI/FT_kHsz1sR4/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+82.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, that's Hakataramea Pass away in the distance...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGqy-LyJDqw/UI4-JX9H3RI/AAAAAAAAChI/1lWbaWcLCQc/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGqy-LyJDqw/UI4-JX9H3RI/AAAAAAAAChI/1lWbaWcLCQc/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+83.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not many Irishmen to be seen though...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hghnr_B_RX0/UI4-Ir5v_uI/AAAAAAAAChI/KPBbmbTODTI/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hghnr_B_RX0/UI4-Ir5v_uI/AAAAAAAAChI/KPBbmbTODTI/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+87.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boofle's full of fishing advice...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Pukaki panorama with Mt Cook at the head of the lake...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9WRmNe0eeo/UI4-I-umtyI/AAAAAAAAChI/TkQprLGPOi0/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9WRmNe0eeo/UI4-I-umtyI/AAAAAAAAChI/TkQprLGPOi0/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+93.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best view of Mt Cook I've ever seen...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X71dOqegEhg/UI4-Lx58aAI/AAAAAAAAChI/BN1L8GxqpBU/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X71dOqegEhg/UI4-Lx58aAI/AAAAAAAAChI/BN1L8GxqpBU/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+97.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moon rises over Omarama...</td></tr>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-81822311845533469222012-11-01T09:29:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:37:50.043+10:00Over the top: and a long way to Wanaka…<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Distance: 115 km. Ride Time: 8:49 hours.</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Knowing a long day was in store, I was
packed and ready to go this morning when the local café opened for breakfast. I
fueled up and stocked up with lunch and a bottle of Powerade, and set out for
the pass in the cool morning air. The was a hint of breeze blowing on my back,
but the day promised to be another fine clear day much like yesterday. after only a short distance I stopped to remove arm and leg warmers for only the second time on this tour, the first time was yesterday afternoon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The route climbs just over 30 kms to Lindis
Pass, but the grade is gentle but for the last 7 kms or so. Even then it’s not
overly difficult gaining the pass, and I reached it a little after midday, and
stopped for my lunch break.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The descent into the Lindis Valley was long
and fast, and even after the road leveled out the going was mostly downhill and
easy pealing with a tailwind. By mid-afternoon I had covered 70 kms and had
reached Cluden Hill, the only other real climbing on the route, and by now had
decided to push on to Wanaka rather than set up a bush camp.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Once over Cluden Hill it was an easy roll
down to Tarras, which I reached just after 4:00 pm, and stopped for an ice
cream and another bottle of Powerade. There were just 30 kms to go to Wanaka,
but I knew from past experience that these would be the hardest.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Soon after leaving Tarras the road turned westward,
into the wind for the first time today.
Fortunately it was not too strong, and I was able to maintain a steady
pace, but had to work quite hard at it. With not much left in my legs, a couple
of small hills had me walking for a short while, but finally I made it into
Wanaka at around 7:00 pm, and checked in to a backpacker hotel, where I will
stay for an extra night. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">My tired legs could hardly carry me to a
nearby restaurant, where I treated myself to a proper dinner after such a long
day in the saddle, then it was back to my room and out like a light. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtqCUktrDzQ/UJBgeWgY3OI/AAAAAAAACiY/H1PF2bF63xo/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtqCUktrDzQ/UJBgeWgY3OI/AAAAAAAACiY/H1PF2bF63xo/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+100.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The original plan was to cross Little Omarama Pass and rejoin the Otago Central Rail Trail</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PV7EAGGlhpU/UJBggm7GxeI/AAAAAAAACiY/7CekSQCigug/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PV7EAGGlhpU/UJBggm7GxeI/AAAAAAAACiY/7CekSQCigug/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+102.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But instead we will to Lindis Pass (just over Boofle's shoulder)...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpXm9PMAUno/UJBggFJWTHI/AAAAAAAACiY/A5LcrnBrgzo/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpXm9PMAUno/UJBggFJWTHI/AAAAAAAACiY/A5LcrnBrgzo/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+105.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You don't get a view of the pass until the final kms...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2i_eHw-8hfE/UJBgjYmkgQI/AAAAAAAACiY/T6JIykqicQE/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2i_eHw-8hfE/UJBgjYmkgQI/AAAAAAAACiY/T6JIykqicQE/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+107.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then, before you know it, the job is done...</td></tr>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-53899177268517491822012-10-31T14:48:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:37:12.815+10:00Wanaka: wandering around in Wanaka…<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">In case I haven’t already mentioned, let me
just repeat that Wanaka is probably my favourite place in New Zealand. Perched on
the shores of Lake Wanaka, it is a very scenic location, and has just the right mix of
facilities without being quite the full-on tourist town as is Queenstown,
where I’m heading tomorrow.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Last night on the way back from dinner, I
spotted the Patagonia Chocolate shop, which I thought might be a sister shop to the one
I visited in Queenstown about 4 years ago. So after a lazy lie-in this morning, I wandered
down for breakfast – chocolate croissants, and a hot chocolate drink sprinkled
with ginger. But I couldn’t stop at one, and had to have another.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">After getting some photos along the lake
shore I visited the local bicycle shop and arranged to have the rear hub on my
bike adjusted. The bearings cones were a little loose, and the one tool I
didn’t bring is a cone spanner. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">I dropped the rear wheel back at the shop, and
restocked my camp food supplies from the local fishing and camping store, then
spent some leisure time reading the paper and drinking coffee before heading
back to my laundry chores, and later, to collect my wheel from there bike shop. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">When the bike shop owner learned of my plan to cross the Crown Range tomorrow, he let me
know that a stage of the Tour of Southland cycle race will pass along the road,
likely whilst I am still on it, and that there will be a rolling road closure. Suits
me, I won’t mind spectating on a bike race for an hour or so.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">So that has been my day off in Wanaka –
shortly I’ll head out and pick a likely place for dinner, and then it’ll be back
to my room to pack for an early start tomorrow. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Despite feeling very heavy and sluggish when I arrived last night, my legs felt quite strong today, ready for another climbing session tomorrow. At least it will be a much shorter day.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_BhQAeSglT-IpS6rPeaJOqz3nFqvb0lV8nI9ha4g0-XQiYsEMpfAo2hyphenhyphenUCg03ROQb-2GgJultQ77YOsoC6O71Sp2SZAVMgBE_fdHlU1SjnSxHnrQMVCw0_fnyzcaeOeXSuY6u6kYXh0s/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_BhQAeSglT-IpS6rPeaJOqz3nFqvb0lV8nI9ha4g0-XQiYsEMpfAo2hyphenhyphenUCg03ROQb-2GgJultQ77YOsoC6O71Sp2SZAVMgBE_fdHlU1SjnSxHnrQMVCw0_fnyzcaeOeXSuY6u6kYXh0s/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+108.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's right Boofle - there are three, and none are for you...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BM1UAlbM0ig/UJBgllMGOMI/AAAAAAAACiY/uw_aikeTT8g/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BM1UAlbM0ig/UJBgllMGOMI/AAAAAAAACiY/uw_aikeTT8g/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+109.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate lovers - look away NOW...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8I6nQAkIgg/UJBgmsmiteI/AAAAAAAACiY/GX4616i1SbI/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8I6nQAkIgg/UJBgmsmiteI/AAAAAAAACiY/GX4616i1SbI/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A novel breakfast spot...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9QxpTi5bvE/UJBgk74P3iI/AAAAAAAACiY/Ra0Xn7cWHbE/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9QxpTi5bvE/UJBgk74P3iI/AAAAAAAACiY/Ra0Xn7cWHbE/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panaorama of Roy's Bay - in the distance the Treble Cone ski fields still have some snow cover </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-48611727312450378332012-10-29T09:44:00.000+10:002017-10-01T17:58:12.320+10:00The jewel: crossing the Crown Range…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h3>
Distance: 71.6km Ride Time: 6:37 hours.</h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Wanaka is on the shores of a lake, and there
is only one way out, and that is up. So my legs got another early wakeup call
this morning. The weather looked a little doubtful as I set off – a few dark
clouds loomed ahead, and the wind had started to pick up. Once over the
first climb the route turned south along the broad and beautiful Cardrona
Valley. Before long a shower began to fall, and I wore my rain jacket briefly,
before the sky cleared and the sun returned.</span></span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The road rose almost imperceptibly until </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">after 25 kms, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">I
reached the Cardrona Hotel. I stopped to admire the historic
building, and enjoy a bowl of soup and a cappuccino before continuing.</span></span></div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">By now the valley was narrowing
dramatically, and the first climbing began. The road wound its way along
the valley floor, crossing the Cardrona River many times. Still the going
wasn’t too difficult, but I had been warned that the real climbing only started
after the “unnamed” bridge. </span></span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">And how true this advice was – after
crossing the bridge, and with only around 3 km expected before reaching the
pass, suddenly I was struggling on a 10% grade, and looking ahead I could see
the climb becoming unrelenting steeper. It was too much for my legs, and when
the grade hit 15% I could ride no further, and walked for some distance, until
approaching the pass the grade eased a little and I could remount to finish the
climb.</span></span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">After a brief photo stop on the pass, I
began the descent, and soon encountered a rider participating in the Tour of Southland cycle
race. The finish was a little further
down the climb, but he had continued to warm down his legs. He joined me on the
decent, and we chatted about the race as we went down. </span></span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">At the road closure, there was a long line
of traffic banked up, but we rode down to the front of the queue and were allowed
to continue through the closure. A
little further down the road the stage had just finished, and there was a
scramble of bikes, riders, crew and vehicles, even helicopters. I crossed the finish line and inquired about the awarding of the KOM jersey, as I was the only rider to
actually cross the pass, and I got a sympathetic laugh but no jersey.</span></span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The race ambulance was just leaving, and I
enjoyed a fast descent chasing it down the remaining series of switchbacks to the
valley floor. It was probably the fastest I’ve ever descended on a loaded
touring bike, but it was a lot of fun and at least first aid was at hand if anything
went wrong.</span></span></div>
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<br></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">At the valley floor there was only around
12 kms to go to Queenstown, but by now the wind had picked up and changed direction, so again the
last few kms were the hardest. Eventually I reached the town centre
and visited the iSite looking for somewhere nearby to stay. </span></span></div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Like tourist towns everywhere, nothing in
Queenstown is cheap. I settled on a studio at the holiday park, but it’s by far
the most expensive accommodation I have used on this tour. Never mind, the next two days will be freedom camping.<br>
</span></span></div>
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<br></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_2e0b_bf02_c2a8_77ee"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egOMWNutNrA/UJMHK1EZUOI/AAAAAAAACj0/vibHOHyP_lI/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egOMWNutNrA/UJMHK1EZUOI/AAAAAAAACj0/vibHOHyP_lI/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+119.jpg" width="400" id="id_be7f_a559_b8de_b9e" style="width: 400px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour of Southland? Wait - that's me. Gee thanks, but really there was no need to close the road...</td></tr>
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<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_277b_5a41_d976_8edc"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqGNKAkTGMA/UJMHLWJlilI/AAAAAAAACj0/uWgI4XEvhx8/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqGNKAkTGMA/UJMHLWJlilI/AAAAAAAACj0/uWgI4XEvhx8/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+121.jpg" width="400" id="id_1a5e_4728_273b_7b8b" style="width: 400px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boofle took a liking to the car...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_ea8b_24a1_de49_7a8d"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy80OglkTlc/UJMHLMn0_YI/AAAAAAAACj0/jEvKUltd0Ns/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy80OglkTlc/UJMHLMn0_YI/AAAAAAAACj0/jEvKUltd0Ns/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+124.jpg" width="400" id="id_ca85_f14f_9335_17d2" style="width: 400px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lady decided I was "Superman" and insisted on a photo...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" id="id_8d9a_98dc_c144_db5f"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5SoCYWRjULQHO_siAl24XtqQdagGrXS9r24U4IyEcF662GN7g-scy2KTGZ6sbeKCG7KY0PFS-5gWboHt8bFkTSMkZAhpS7Z3XrdLVQhNAfiz79R-F96lrE2K-TdgPkPoLQB_bX1qgp24/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5SoCYWRjULQHO_siAl24XtqQdagGrXS9r24U4IyEcF662GN7g-scy2KTGZ6sbeKCG7KY0PFS-5gWboHt8bFkTSMkZAhpS7Z3XrdLVQhNAfiz79R-F96lrE2K-TdgPkPoLQB_bX1qgp24/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+126.jpg" width="400" id="id_3e88_ce7c_aead_cc81" style="width: 400px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Away in the distance, Queenstown sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></div>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-58594031664310792542012-10-28T10:12:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:36:13.833+10:00Queenstown: tourist town...<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">This morning I headed down to the lakeside
to book my passage on the steamship TSS Earnslaw, across the lake to Walter
Peak Station, from where I’ll the start the next stage of my tour, to Mavora
Lakes. On the way I noticed the Patagonia Chocolate shop, and returned there for
another chocolatey breakfast, before taking a stroll around the shopping
precinct. At the supermarket, I picked up food supplies for the next two days,
when I’ll be away from any services.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Then it was back to my room to do some
chores and update my journal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLlksG2B4c2NyMux6s-Kq8AW2rxTTN9szV8AJmKKCfkrFuxFzKa1tjqCwbzAnDu5j2AHabFbBJHNSjXtmgV2j4wBq68oveKbk4yKc_-A6lV_7WlWem-jgw4vzVjO5lbsCjmElTIhg4-X8/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLlksG2B4c2NyMux6s-Kq8AW2rxTTN9szV8AJmKKCfkrFuxFzKa1tjqCwbzAnDu5j2AHabFbBJHNSjXtmgV2j4wBq68oveKbk4yKc_-A6lV_7WlWem-jgw4vzVjO5lbsCjmElTIhg4-X8/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TSS Earnslaw is getting up steam...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G84tM4Ii1U4/UJMHNChaqmI/AAAAAAAACj0/9lXlNpJO4w8/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G84tM4Ii1U4/UJMHNChaqmI/AAAAAAAACj0/9lXlNpJO4w8/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And leaving the dock...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpQbb-RAUSU/UJMHOeXi0QI/AAAAAAAACj0/BsU9bPuulu0/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpQbb-RAUSU/UJMHOeXi0QI/AAAAAAAACj0/BsU9bPuulu0/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+132.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boofle doesn't like boats...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n5oWzRtnriY/UJMHO0ARf0I/AAAAAAAACj0/REiGiwnJrnw/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n5oWzRtnriY/UJMHO0ARf0I/AAAAAAAACj0/REiGiwnJrnw/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Wakitipu panorama...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-17728363070266262122012-10-27T16:36:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:35:53.611+10:00Snow, more snow: sometimes you should just stay in bed...<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Distance: 53.5km. Ride Time: 5:45 hours. </span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">When I looked out the window early this
morning, it was raining outside, and quite likely it was snowing on the
Remarkables, which were mostly obscured by cloud, but I could see in places
a fresh covering a white powder. So, no cycling today I thought, and went back
to bed. As it turned out, I should have trusted my first instinct, but when I
looked out again the sky had cleared and the sun was shining. So with time in
hand to make the 10am sailing of the Earnslaw, I packed quickly and headed off
to find breakfast.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">At the steamer wharf, the smell of coal smoke hung in the air. My bike was quickly
loaded via the wide cargo gangway. There were already quite a few bikes aboard,
and I discovered they were part of a guided group of day riders who would be
taking the same route as myself, but with vehicle support. To my dismay, the
guide informed me that that the road had recently been graded, which is rarely
a good thing for cyclists. A cool wind was blowing, so I wore my rain jacket
for the crossing, but I would end up wearing it all day.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The Earnslaw will be of great interest to
anyone interested in steam engines. Two
triple expansion engines power the ship, the steam is generated by coal fired
boilers. These are rarely seen now
outside static museum displays, let alone in a working vessel. The engine room
can be viewed from the promenade deck, and you can go down to the upper level of
the engine room for a closer look. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The short cruise across the lake was a
pleasant and very scenic. I waited to take a photo of the steamer departing, and
then set off along the freshly graded road, which skirted the lake shore.
Overnight rain had settled the surface, but it was still loose and soft in
places. After 10 kms, I came upon the grader parked by the roadside and the
road surface was mostly good after. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Soon the road turned away from the lake and
headed up the Von River valley. Further up the valley, dark clouds gathered
ominously, and shortly it began to snow. This was just the first of many snow
showers, which kept me shivering all day. And then I encountered the first of
two fast flowing fords. I had to remove my shoes and brave the icy water
barefoot. It was quite difficult to cross in the knee-deep water, and I had to
wrestle the bike across in the fast current. Luckily my Ortlieb panniers were
waterproof as claimed and none of my gear got wet.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">After 25 kms I came to Von Hill, rarely
mentioned in the journals I’ve read, but every bit as difficult as any of the
passes I have crossed on the tour. Especially when there is a chill wind
blowing and snow falling. I think I walked most of the way up, and at the top
was confronted with a broad flat valley and km after km of rolling road. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">And more snows storms, rolling up the
valley. It’s at times like this when I question my choices, but in good weather
it would probably have been a pleasant ride.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Soon after I came to the second ford, even
deeper and wider to than the first, and again I wrestled the bike across in my
bare feet. But surprisingly, my legs still felt OK, and then the road started
heading downhill, and I was able to make good progress. Eventually at around
7pm I reached the turnoff into the lakes, and soon found the camping grounds.
Quickly putting up the tent I crawled into my sleeping bag trying to warm up,
and that is where I stayed. It took a long time to get warm, and with sandflies
swarming around the tent door I didn’t want to bother with hot food, and made
do with what I could find in my tucker bag. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The plan is to spend tomorrow here and go
fishing, but unless this cold southerly stops blowing and the temperature rises.
I doubt there’ll be much point.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_BzFKW9S-w/UJdcXzIp1SI/AAAAAAAAClY/o-V53agkCqM/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_BzFKW9S-w/UJdcXzIp1SI/AAAAAAAAClY/o-V53agkCqM/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+140.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weather early this morning - should have stayed in bed...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vemnCMFqbY/UJdcX9WX7QI/AAAAAAAAClY/HePsv-5fHeM/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vemnCMFqbY/UJdcX9WX7QI/AAAAAAAAClY/HePsv-5fHeM/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+141.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But an hour later, it looked like this - sucker...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4fRF3q-WCnOrKqBZXbxT0MoDLrwuim-9zjgN3sHUU1mOjkz3tIAbO8cGlTEIiAk3Cwy324kcr1bGQNFyqwdyLPqNq1f4HFsGf6-2VgdsCmDgTdfRXF57I5V3cXRvFJeWtgpSj5W_QnuP/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4fRF3q-WCnOrKqBZXbxT0MoDLrwuim-9zjgN3sHUU1mOjkz3tIAbO8cGlTEIiAk3Cwy324kcr1bGQNFyqwdyLPqNq1f4HFsGf6-2VgdsCmDgTdfRXF57I5V3cXRvFJeWtgpSj5W_QnuP/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bits that hiss, wheeze and thump...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VsozOuqv6E8/UJdcY5XL2jI/AAAAAAAAClY/ssiAZJMCm-o/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VsozOuqv6E8/UJdcY5XL2jI/AAAAAAAAClY/ssiAZJMCm-o/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+149.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boofle's not letiing the lifeboat out of sight...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrVNjPCyNxA/UJdcbr7DKYI/AAAAAAAAClY/kGTUeYZGkRo/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xrVNjPCyNxA/UJdcbr7DKYI/AAAAAAAAClY/kGTUeYZGkRo/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+151.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter Peak wharf...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJp7QWCwa1o/UJdca9Ls4bI/AAAAAAAAClY/MqzuqKxVKO4/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJp7QWCwa1o/UJdca9Ls4bI/AAAAAAAAClY/MqzuqKxVKO4/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+153.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmmm, somebody is gonna get wet feet here...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqT4fBHwa1E/UJdcbc6UIQI/AAAAAAAAClY/evTSPYSs-Uo/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqT4fBHwa1E/UJdcbc6UIQI/AAAAAAAAClY/evTSPYSs-Uo/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+154.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can someone say a prayer to the snow gods - I've had enough...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-55955197539527251752012-10-26T16:46:00.000+10:002013-07-27T22:14:29.130+10:00Lakeside: keeping out of the cold...<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">It was very cold overnight, and the frost
was heavy. Once again I was glad to have a four-season tent. My campsite is in a very sheltered position,
and didn’t catch any sun until quite late. I will have move to a sunnier
position to get the tent dried and packed in good time tomorrow morning.</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The chill southerly wind is still blowing
down from the snow-covered tops, but at least the sun is out today. Hopefully
by tomorrow the wind will have changed and it’ll be a good day to cycle.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Mavora Lakes would, but for the dreaded
sandfly, be a lovely place to camp in warmer weather. But while this cold wind
keeps blowing the only thing I can do it stay in a sheltered spot and enjoy the
sun.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">I took my fishing rod out and tried my
luck, once again in vain. The locals seem to think it is just too cold for the
fish to have become active, or at least for the insects on which they feed to
have bred up in the numbers needed to get them going.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">A little later the ranger dropped in to
check my registration. He pointed out a spot where he had recently seen trout,
not more than 200 metres from where I had been fishing, but I was more inclined
to stay out of the wind than to brave the bloody sandflies for another try.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xi3zI6ZzNLM/UJdcgj_ERyI/AAAAAAAAClY/BiXISXHnBmk/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xi3zI6ZzNLM/UJdcgj_ERyI/AAAAAAAAClY/BiXISXHnBmk/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+156.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just waiting for a trout to swim past my table...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qQVevcgEAQ/UJdcesdJLaI/AAAAAAAAClY/sdrZF8wPUnM/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qQVevcgEAQ/UJdcesdJLaI/AAAAAAAAClY/sdrZF8wPUnM/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+157.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the head of the lake, the Greenstone and Routeburn tracks pass...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_uLLa701Fw/UJdce1syC3I/AAAAAAAAClY/HAZtPvoinMU/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_uLLa701Fw/UJdce1syC3I/AAAAAAAAClY/HAZtPvoinMU/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+160.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See if anything will dry...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-61887706674659546692012-10-25T17:10:00.000+10:002013-01-02T18:28:51.990+10:00Concentration: riding on marbles...<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Distance 69.2 km. Ride Time: 4:48 hours. </span></span></h2>
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</style> <span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">According to Mavora lakes ranger Tim, today the weather
would clear, and the winds would shift to southeasterly. So I was not in the
least surprised to wake this morning to the sound of rain on my tent.
Eventually it stopped, and I decided to pack up and get going whatever the
weather, rather than hang around the lakes for another day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">With the late start it was 10am before I
got on the road, but I was optimistic of reaching Te Anau by mid-afternoon. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The road south from the lakes was covered
with loose gravel, with only a narrow wheel track relatively clear, but the
trend was downhill, and the wind was definitely a southeasterly – more help
than a hindrance. Looking down the valley there where some ominous grey clouds
gathered over the tops, but I managed to outrun all but a few brief wispy showers.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">So I made pretty good time for all but the
last few kms of the gravel section, where a grader was operating, making the
final section very difficult – it was like riding on marbles.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Once the sealed road was reached I
enjoyed long sections of downhill running and with the assistance of the wind
covered the remaining 30 kms to Te Anau by 3:30pm.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">I’ve planned to take a cruise on Doubtful
Sound tomorrow, so went straight to the booking office, then checked in at one
of the holiday parks. After a hot shower, early dinner and laundry chores done
I’ll be off to bed.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZqmf_qXe9I/UJdcg8KOp7I/AAAAAAAAClY/-_sAVT_xXTg/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IZqmf_qXe9I/UJdcg8KOp7I/AAAAAAAAClY/-_sAVT_xXTg/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+162.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A last look up the valley to Mavora Lakes...</td></tr>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332688664889231919.post-24966899012782266852012-10-24T17:40:00.000+10:002012-12-02T21:33:46.965+10:00Tourist time: to Doubtful Sound...<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">To celebrate my bike and I surviving New
Zealand’s back roads, today I played tourist, taking an excursion to Doubtful
Sound. I could have visited Milford Sound, but I’ve been there previously, so
it seemed a good idea this time to visit the other.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The day started with a bus trip to
Manapouri, then a ferry ride across Lake Manapouri to West Arm, where another
coach took me over the Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound, all before boarding the
cruise boat. The trip took in some stunning scenery, and it was a perfect
clear, calm and sunny day for the first time in a week. I hoping it will stay
that way for a few more days while I make my way down to Invercargill.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzp-LMhy3Rw/UJizS1f00HI/AAAAAAAACmg/h3KYJX-4SkY/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzp-LMhy3Rw/UJizS1f00HI/AAAAAAAACmg/h3KYJX-4SkY/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+163.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Te Anau was placid after the winds of the last few days...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etuCzSSJnzI/UJizUHcmU2I/AAAAAAAACmg/Qz_U4t9Z3v4/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etuCzSSJnzI/UJizUHcmU2I/AAAAAAAACmg/Qz_U4t9Z3v4/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+169.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Wilmot Pass, Doubtful Sound awaits...</td></tr>
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</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHujLADl4QM/UJizUYHyv5I/AAAAAAAACmg/8jMAFT68AO8/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHujLADl4QM/UJizUYHyv5I/AAAAAAAACmg/8jMAFT68AO8/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+183.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is the entrance, away in the distance...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpKYILnGSxg/UJizVs2XXDI/AAAAAAAACmg/BZGz2fcxzwE/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpKYILnGSxg/UJizVs2XXDI/AAAAAAAACmg/BZGz2fcxzwE/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+189.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmmm, now that is a bach...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fuD1gf2QAAE/UJizV-4AXSI/AAAAAAAACmg/-f4xRc6pKdA/s1600/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fuD1gf2QAAE/UJizV-4AXSI/AAAAAAAACmg/-f4xRc6pKdA/s400/Gone+Fishin%2527+-+194.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up towards the head of the fiord...</td></tr>
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RonKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02481740324413080716noreply@blogger.com0