It was really the final day of cycling for us today (just a short run from the ferry terminal to parliament tomorrow) and it was a relatively short one for us with around 22 Km from Spring Creek to Picton.
We started late trying to time our ride so that we wouldn’t be in traffic heading for departing ferries. I don’t think we were that successful, there was still plenty of traffic on the narrow winding road, including 6 logging trucks 5 of which neither slowed down or pulled out when they passed us. We’re pretty tempted to call 0800 Log Trucks (advertised on the back of the vehicles) to tell them they have seriously impatient drivers who need better training.
Otherwise riding conditions were perfect - overcast and we had a tailwind and despite Millie’s headache we made Picton in good time.
After a very welcome coffee we made our way to the Top 10 here which had been recommended to us in Blenheim. What a wonderful place - away from roads that are busy all night (finally) and the owner, Mel, was charming, welcoming, sharing and didn’t charge us for our campsite - thank you.
The sun burnt off the cloud and it was a hot walk back into Picton to explore and get lunch. Picton was humming too with a 5000 passenger cruise ship in (with 1000 crew as well), so we had plenty of opportunities to discuss what we were doing and explain to the mostly Australian cruisers we met how their tax dollars were picking up the tab for sick Kiwis forced to move to or stay in Australia to access the medicines that aren’t funded here.
I have to admit we lazed around most of the afternoon (what a treat) and played cards in the shade of the giant palm trees at the waterfront, before heading back to camp for dinner via the Marina, where Millie got to chatting with the man running it about marine biosecruity - she was very happy to learn some of the programmes she had been instrumental in setting up 20 years ago were still running.
Since it’s been a short day, I thought I’d take this opportunity to make this a bit of a gratitude journal and try to thank the many wonderful people who’ve supported us on the way. If you were part of our story and I don’t mention you, please forgive me, there have indeed been too many too keep track of them all. I will also try to transcribe some of the messages written on the coffin since that will become someone else’s problem tomorrow (unless we get arrested for trying to litter Parliament or something).
First and foremost three people have been particularly instrumental in helping set up the trip and in getting it underway…
Marcus, who helped cut out the coffin panels on the CNC machine he uses for making surfboards in the garage, and who occasionally helped me train by coming on lunchtime rides and whining so much I needed to pedal harder to get away from him (that’s not actually true - he hardly ever makes lunchtime rides) - thanks you are truely a friend I know I can rely on in any time of need.
Sean at Metalspray in Dunedin who gave up his Christmas Eve eve to put together the trailer for the coffin and even let me drink some of the beers I bought as payment and still hasn’t charged me for the steel. Your work has held together perfectly and it was only my design mistakes which caused any issues. You are a truely and gentleman (in both senses of the word) even if you may not look or act like it.
And, Andrew nothing-is-ever-a-bother Hobbes, you are our knight in not quite shining but incredibly practical armour, coming to our rescue not just once in the Octagon but twice by delivering use safely to Invercargill and bringing the tools to correct my design problems with the trailer (it has worked flawlessly since). Perhaps I should be thanking Karen, though, for putting up with all the times we call on you and you come to our rescue. You guys are both bright shining stars we treasure.
Thanks to our well wishers of family and friends who came out on a bit of a dismal Dunedin day to see us off at the Octagon, and John, the wonderful TVNZ cameraman who made use feel like stars with papparazzi filming us as we left town. Many people have mention they saw us on television which really helped kick start conversations about the petition.
David at Kuri Bush, who brought us coffee, raised our spirits immensely in the headwind on that first day and it was great to run into Aimee and Breanna Baird who became the first people to sign the coffin at Waihola.
We were immensely touched by being given a free meal at the Kink n the road cafe at Milton. Although that was going to become a bit of a theme on the trip we didn’t really expect it (we wouldn’t have ordered dessert if we had known it would be on the house! - OK probably we still would have - that first day was really hard work.)
Thanks to Trudy at the Lumsden campground who gave us our camping for the night. A great little spot with plenty of space.
I’d also like to thank whichever authorities are responsible for the round the mountains cycle trail. It was so nice to be off the main highway between Lumsden and Kingston. Having cycled the rest of the South Island we realise how much more facilities we need like this and how car focused all our road safety features have become.
To the two, random, wonderful Irish guys we met for 5 minutes on one of the bridges on the trail - your gentle humour is a treasure and I’m touched every time I read your message on the coffin “Safe travels from your Irish friends :-)”
To my brother Simon, thank so much for your apartment in Queenstown, though I’m still mad you chose to buy one up fernhill! What were you thinking? That is not coffin trailer access ready!
Nigel and Pauline at Gate 22 vineyard, what a treat to stay at your place with what can only be described as magnificent views, magnificent wine, magnificent olive oil and magnificent company. Definitely overwhelming (but very welcome) for the humble cycle tourist.
Big shout out to Claire Schofield. What a great morning we had riding together from Cromwell. So interesting to talk to you I’m sure we could have grilled you for hours more. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Thanks Duncan, Suze and Caitlin for the princess bed for the night in Tarras. So wonderful to see you all again. We did envy you a bit not having to ride over the Lindis.
Cheers Dave Bell for drawing a bird on the coffin and telling us all about the national bird survey you’re involved in. So interestingly different and distracting in the middle of nowhere. Keep up the good work.
We’re very grateful to Tony and Jess at the Omarama Top 10 campground. It was so nice to be treated to free camping after the long hard day over the Lindis. Thanks for signing and posting on facebook too.
Neil with the Lakes Coffee van at Sailors Cutting you, sir, are a coffee artisan and the entire tandem crew were very grateful you waved us over for free coffee before the big climb to Otemetata.
Wow, I’ve just looked back and this post is getting long and we haven’t even covered half of the trip yet. I think I’m going to have to sign off for now and say:
To be continued…