Hi everybody. This is Luc writing, Torrey has a bit of a stomach ache so she's sitting this one out.
Since we last wrote a lot has happened. We spent a day in Wellington, visiting the wind turbine, the Botanic Garden, and seeing a parade of the rugby players participating in the Sevens (a huge rugby tournament). Wellington was in party mode all weekend - the streets were packed with people and excitement. The next morning we rode towards the Bluebridge ferry to the South island. Across the street from the terminal was a costume contest of epic proportions. We saw lobsters, care-bears, squirrels, disco dancers, and even a squad of Flash Gordons! We'll be sure to post pictures of that. Before catching the ferry we happened to run into two fellow cyclists, who we quickly befriended. First was John from New Mexico, followed by Mikaela from Sweden. We were amazed at how similar our joys and troubles were.
After a pleasant ferry ride with lots of wind, the four of us decided to ride on to a campsite 15 km from Picton. Our first experience of the South island fulfilled our expectations as very hilly and windy. The campsite was nice, and even though it was full we were able to squeeze in next to a couple of nice campers.
We woke up the next day and began riding towards Nelson. On the way we had to go up two monstrous hills (I'm never looking at a topo map again) with the heat beaming down on us all day. Riding into Nelson was quite a relief. We spent the night at Maitai Valley Camp, a great place with a swimming hole and billions of sandflies. Time to get some bug repellant.
Today we have finalized our big plan for the next week or so. We're going to hike the Abel Tasman trail with our new friends. Everything is booked and ready to go. We'll be there starting on the 10th, and returning to the trailhead on the 12th. Having experienced a little of the track before (with my family), I am eager to get back to the amazing beach/bush combo that is the Abel Tasman. Wish us luck.
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Sounds like you are having some exciting times.
ReplyDeleteHave fun on the Abel Tasman (such a beautiful place).
Love you,
Linda Mom
Dad (Charlie) says:
ReplyDeleteI wish I were hiking with you. The Abel Tasman hike is so beautiful; enjoy.
I picked up a New Zealand artist's EP on a whim at Borders so I could think of you two as I listened. She is really special. Gin Wigmore, from Auckland. It does not appear she is touring right now in NZ. She opened for Mellencamp when he was touring Australia and NZ (from info I found).
Her website says she is a combination of Neil Young, Blondie and Macy Gray. If she is playing, check it out. She's 22 years old.
It does not appear you made it to Happy in Wellington. Oh well, another time.
Take care.
I wish I could comment knowingly about the Abel Tasman, like someone else's parents :-) . It sounds great, though. Torrey, your mom is coming along; today she went downstairs for the first time since the accident, and we walked outside almost to the Cooks' house! We've been experiencing bits of both Norwegian and British culture tonight, watching a movie about a the Amundsen and Scott expeditions to the South Pole. Please don't go past the south end of New Zealand, OK? --Don-A-Byrd-Dad
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments guys. The Abel Tasman was everything we hoped for and more. Keep writing comments, we love hearing from you. And please keep us updated on Susan's condition. Hugs to all of you guys.
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