10 months gone ... 10 months to go!

It has been 10 months since I busted my femur and I am starting to feel like life is getting back to normal!

The last month has been a good example of that, with a visit to sunny Marlborough to complete the Forrest Graperide, a 100 km circuit taking in Blenhiem, Picton Queen Charlotte, Havelock and back to Renwick.
Rolling up to the start I was pretty nervous starting with hundreds of other riders, but it was fine being able to stay with the group on the flats but fading on the hills ... pretty much expected ... what was surprising was my endurance which lasted pretty well, finishing stronger than expected.

Returning home I finished my job at Fletcher EQR after 4 and 1/4 years, it was a fantastic experience, very satisfying and a great learning experience ... but it was time to move on! I have landed a great job as a Project Manager with a small but growing firm. www.Interex.co.nz

I had a week off between jobs so took advantage of some late summer sunshine and headed over to Banks Pennisula for an overnight trip. The Pennisula being a couple of old volcano cones, doesn't have any flat land so you are either going up hill or going down, until you get onto the plains again.

The trip was 80 km each day, from home through to Lyttelton catch the ferry across to Diamond Harbour pop up over Purau saddle to Port Levy then up and over Pigeon Bay up and along the Summit Road before descending down into Okains Bay for the night. About 2400 metres of climbing.

The trip home I had planned an easier day with just the climb out of Okains Bay to the Summit Road and along to Hill Top and a quick descent down for my morning coffee at Little River, from here I jumped on the Little River Rail Trail for a flat ride home.

A pleasant couple of days right from my front door!

Now if that wasn't enough, @velolassie and I took advantage of another long weekend and headed across to the West Coast to ride the Wilderness Trail which takes a route from Greymouth to Hokitika via historic towns of Kumara and Milltown, approximately 100 kms long 85 kms of it on trail, the balance on sealed road. It is not technical and saw plenty of riders of all ages enjoying the trip. Most complete over three days, we rode for about 7 hours stopping for two of those, one hour to enjoy a farmers breakfast at the Empire Hotel in Kumara, about half an hour at Cowboy Paradise for a cuppa ... the rest were photo stops.

Our plan was to ride there in one day stay the night in a B&B and return the next day by the trail to pick up the car. Soon after arriving in Hokitika it started to rain and rain it did as only it can on the West Coast.

We reassessed our plans quite quickly and blugded a lift of a friend back to Greymouth to pick up the car ... soft! Yes we are, no denying that.

It did rain that Sunday Hokitika got 90 mm in that 24 hour period, while Hokitika Gorge (only 27 km away) got 290 mm!

We spent the day drinking coffee and exploring some of the back roads behind Hokitika.






So ten months have past since breaking my femur and it is ten months to go until the Tour of Aotearoa!

Good Buggers

Throughout my life I have meet a lot of different people, but I have only meet a few Bloody Good Buggers

.

You see, BGB’s are few and far between, they are mates who always have a smile, an ear to listen with, the occasional word … sometimes the word is refreshingly honest … they are always there during the tough times and good times, without judging.

We all know the real BGB … the sandbagger … one who turns up for ride or race saying … “no been too busy to train, haven’t had a chance to get out much this week” … then goes and drops you on the first hill!

We all know the real BGB … the ulterior motive … “Hey you want come over for a BBQ? Oh can you bring your tools and just do this one small job” ... This also worked in reverse too!

We all know the real BGB … the chatterbox … when you are struggling along out of breath on a bike ride, run or hike and BGB is still talking and pushing the pace!

We all know the real BGB … the father … the one who adores his daughters or son, challenging them to enjoy life!

We all know the real BGB … the Family man … always checking in on how the family is doing and helping wherever and whenever he can.

We all know the real BGB … the business man … always having a wise word.

Warwick, Rob and Steve we have shared many adventures, many meals, many hours riding our bikes, paddling our kayaks, spinning yarns, building, laughing, sharing, helping, drinking coffee, beers or whiskies.

Guys, I have appreciated your advice, your support and valued your friendship!

Warwick Martin, Rob Daly and Steve Redden … You’re a Bloody Good Buggers! RIP

Dad and Anjas Adventure Week 2015

After last years Otago Rail Trail Trip Anja and I set our eyes on heading to Abel Tasman National Park to go sea kayaking but some silly old git goes and breaks his leg and turns that plan on it's head. So an alternative plan was decided upon about three weeks out waiting to see how strong my leg would be and what limits that would impose.

We had five days up our sleeve and great weather forecast for both sides of the South Island. We talked about doing an overnight hike ... Anja had done a few good day trips but never an over-nighter.

It wasn't hard to chose a couple of trips as a couple of my favourite wee hikes are over in the Paparoa Range and are great introductory trips. 

Anja also wanted to visit the newly open Tree Tops Walk just south of Hokitika over looking the stunning Lake Mahinepua, this man made walk way takes you around the trees at between 20 and 47 metres of the ground.

Fully mature Rimu trees about 400 years old with Anja standing at the bottom

Anja holding a Rimu sapling probably the same age as herself!

Part of the walk way and look out tower

The afternoon was spent looking around this walkway enjoying being upclose with the birds and looking at what grows in the tops of the trees.








The West Coast is a beautiful part of the world and you can't beat having a meal down the beach, so a pizza from Fat Pippis ...

In the morning it was time to load our packs and head to the start, This was to be Anja's first overnight trip where she needed to carry her own gear. We stopped at the Formly The Blackball Hilton for one last meal then drove up to the car park ... with this being Anja's first overnight camp and into wilderness back country ... there were a few nerves! So we talked about other challenges she has faced and how it may have some tough moments but the rewards were huge that feeling of satisfaction cannot be replaced.

Right Dad ... Let's go!

Snack time!

Snack time again!

Wow we are getting up there!

We here!

No internet here ... can't beat reading a book with that view!

Just over four hours up the hill to Ces Clarke hut, we chilled out taking in the view over the Gray Valley and Lake Brunner, Watching the sun set it was time for dinner ... You did bring dinner ... didn't you Dad? Whoops forgot to pack the main course! Bad parenting there haha! Fortunately we still had alot of cracker cheese and salami so we just filled ourselves on that ... I don't think I will live that one down for a while!

South Island Robin

 With a good nights sleep we packed up and headed back down the hill, three hours later, lots of chatting and we were back at the car.

Pancake Rocks

Lunch was back in Greymouth we drove up the coast to Punakaiki, where we enjoyed a nice dinner some chill out time and got to watch a west coast sunset, these are pretty special as the sun dips below the horizon line.

Anja at Punakaiki

Sunset at Punakaiki

This drive must be one of the most spectacular drives in the world ... I never tire of it!

West Coast

The next day saw us continue our road trip further north up to Tauranga Bay for some lunch and a walk out to the seal colony, before heading up the Buller Gorge then onto Reefton.

West Coast

Only in New Zealand ... Watch out for Penguins!

Walk at Charleston

Lunch at The Bay House Cafe Tauranga Bay

NZ Fur Seals at Cape Foulwind

Buller Gorge

Reefton is a quirky little town where you can get huge ice creams, great coffees and fresh goods from the bakery! The locals are friendly and let us in on where the local swimming hole was ... 31 degrees at 4 pm ... it was welcomed!

Swimming hole in Reefton very hot day very nice swim!

Our last day was to drive from Reefton back to Christchurch via Arthurs Pass on the way we stopped off at Waiuta, this is a ghost town, once a thriving gold town, with it's own hospital and two churches, it is slowly being overgrowing by native bush!

Old mining town at Waiuta

Brunner Mine Bridge

Another week of adventures was ticked off ... but more importantly a week of Dad and Daughter one on one time ... PRICELESS!!!