We’ve added some photographs into our respective Picasa web albums – please see page “Photos”!

After a quiet night in Cheviot it was on through Greta Valley, more hills and spectacular scenery plus a visit to Glenmark station at the southern terminus of the Weka Pass Railway. Friday night in Amberley with a few beers (see photograph of Ola with half-a-dozen empty stubbies). Then to local pub which confounded everything I said above. It was so rowdy WE had to retire by 9 pm. Next day we entered Christchurch for more big city night life. Traffic on the main highway was again terrible but we fortunately managed to find some quiet back roads. Part of the way we were accompanied by a Polish cyclist from America so Ola could again practice her native tongue.

First day of Feb was a nice hot and sunny rest day sightseeing in Christchurch. A good time here was slightly marred when someone stole our food from the fridge in the campsite. I can only hope the milk turned sour and the pate went bad.

A couple of days down the road we woke at Ward to gale force winds and squally showers. We waited on the storm blowing itself out but in the end as it was impossible to cycle we settled for an enforced rest day. We then took the opportunity to get this blog up to date as far as Wellie.
They have strange drinking habits in Ward; the only pub in the place which had been closed on our first night there was simply buzzing with customers the next night.

Before coming to NZ I was under the impression that Kiwis were a gregarious beer swilling party loving nation. Another night in another one pub town called Cheviot confirmed my observation that, apart from Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand pubs close at 9pm and people are tucked up in bed by 9.30.

The next day was a brilliant day’s cycling on a fairly flat road along the coast and much time spent observing the seal colonies at Ohau Point . Somewhere during this day we crossed latitude 42 degrees South and celebrated with Polish picnic speciality – salami and jam sandwiches – see photo.

Arrived Picton in glorious warm evening sunshine after crossing Cook Strait from North Island to South Island and sailing up Queen Charlotte Sound. Upon disembarking the ferry Ola was very pleased to meet a Polish lady who recognised her flag and to speak Polish for a few minutes.

First day cycling down the east coast of South Island we visited Brayshaw preserved village which was like a town from a western movie  – see photo of advert for Humber Cycles costing only 7 pounds, 12 shillings & threepence (7.62 GBP).

Vegetation still very lush and green with vineyards although terrain rather more barren but still spectacular and as lumpy as ever. Unfortunately traffic still terrible – maybe less trucks than North Island but still plenty of cars going very fast and passing us rather close.