23/09/2022
Week Two of Zero Committments
The week started in Methven where I was hosted by the lovely Warmshowers host Janie and son Luke. I was made to feel at home, and even got to do some dishes and es**rt Luke to school. The week ended after approximately 300 kilometres of cycling, in Reefton. A fun week, away from devices, just Fiona and I, and with only a few constants: Uphill, wind in my face, interesting interactions, and Mamma Mia songs rattling through my head.
In Methven I chatted to a young lady from Perth, in NZ on a snowboarding holiday. I learnt lot's about the life of a FiFo, on a seven days on, seven days off contract, and two 90 minute flights a week. Working at a mine with 1500 staff, in a remote camp, starting work at 6am on a twelve hour shift all sounded a bit other worldly to me. I was just wanting to get on my bike and ride.
As normal when cycling anywhere near Methven, the wind was blowing in my face, and it wasn't blowing too gentle. Even riding down the hill to the Rakaia River wasn't easy. My route took me up a gravel road past the Mt Hutt Lodge, and past Terrace Downs, a road I had never been on before. After over six hours of biking and almost 50kms, I was pretty shattered, so set up my tent in a hidden spot on a river bed, hoping for no rain overnight. I fell asleep in my travel chair, reading my book, so climbed into my sleeping bag before it was dark, and slept a solid twelve hours. Wow. Mamma Mia song in my head all day - Super Trooper.
Day two, and the wind was still blowing, and the road continued to rise in front of me. The country side was really interesting and new to me though, as I cycled out to Lake Lyndon. My interesting interaction today was spotting a mass of DoC vehicles parked up at Castle Hill. Lots of DoC staff, dressed in their best costumes, were strutting around looking important. I was even instructed by a DoC security person that I wasn't to approach the Private Function. However, I was spotted by a long time acquaintance and es**rted past security. The event? The unveiling of some new statues in tribute to the Maori history of the area. My contact was very much up with the play, and explained the significance to me. You can learn so much on a bicycle ride. Done with the formalities, I headed off, uphill, and not long after, scarpered into the bush to set up my tent. Another twelve hours sleep. Woohoo. Today's Mamma Mia song - I had a Dream.
It was great to be on a sealed road, and generally the traffic was well behaved. Still had the head wind and up hill, but I knew that today I might just get to go downhill. Today's interaction was with a naughty Kea at Arthurs Pass who ripped a protective piece of rubber off my dynamo. Little rascal. It was amazingly rewarding to reach the top of the pass and spot all the exciting downhill to come. I enjoyed it so much, that I ended up cycling just under 100km today, before I crawled into the bush to erect the tent. Song of the day - Here we go again, Mamma Mia.
A beautiful clear star lit sky, and a third night of twelve hours sleep. I woke to a very wet tent from a heavy dew. It was an easy ride, with no wind and very little uphill into Greymouth along the Wilderness Trail. An easy half day allowing time for a clean up and plenty of eating. Today I met a young man recently shifted to Greymouth from the Waikato. He was so excited to be living and working in the South Island, with the prospect of being able to afford to buy a house. Super Trooper in my head again today.
AB's are playing this weekend. I reckoned Reefton might be a good bet for a day off, and the chance of finding a pub to watch the match. However heading out of Greymouth there was a very cold, strong wind in my face. Is this the Barber? If it didn't disappear I might have to try Blackball or Ikamatua. However, it did warm up, and the wind disappeared, but I was tempted to stop in Ikamatua anyway. The people at the store were lovely Coasters. All were very interested in my journey, and Fiona. Truckies, farmers, and locals visiting the store all were keen for a chat. Mamma Mia song stuck in my head today - Our Last Summer.
