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We have been back in Southland for three weeks now after a trip around the South Island hiking and biking. As per previous posts we managed to cope with the flooding in the Tasman and Golden Bay area avoiding the most serious dumps of rain. Now back in the south with reasonably good weather enjoying a good tail end of winter… so far! Before Judes op next week we have enjoyed a bit of gardening and maintenance around the cottage, my son in-laws 40th and a bit of exercising. Over the past weekend we enjoyed riding the Sandy Point Mountain Bike Trails and consider themRead More →

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This morning we woke to a light drizzle which putting our faith in our windy app, we were hoping would pass over during the night… but ah nah. Oh well it was going to be a damp start to today’s ride from Hokitika to Mahinapua (Tree Top Walk). While Jude plods along with her morning cuppa tea ritual, I get busy getting the bikes off the rack and getting all the gear out… hoping Jude would feel guilty and get a move on, but that’s was just wishful thinking lol. Eventually we got under way and the bonus of Jude casual morning start was theRead More →

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We spent our last day in Omau driving up the coast to Mokihinui as the weather was inclement the ocean was fair pumping leaving “white snow”everywhere it was quite surreal! We experienced an unreal thunder storm overnight banging and crashing reverberating round the hills and boy did it rain! Typical West Coast down pour. Driving south to Hokitika was a picturesque as it always is on the coast the Tasman thumping in on the coastline and a very big swell. Arriving at Hokitika late afternoon staying at the NZMCA park. Enjoy a leisurely evening. Tuesday 15th July Today we are riding from Hokitika to HurunuiRead More →

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Cover photo- Judes looks out over the Tasman Sea on warm early evening. Not a bad morning… a cup of tea to start the day, dishes done, bed made, bikes setup and it’s off 15km to Westport and while we’re there we must try the famous Pies before the return ride. The start of the road from the Star Tavern is along a private road that runs along side the main road before entering a small windy bush track about 400m in length before crossing the main road and onto a boringly long stretch of track. This track then turns left and heads to theRead More →

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Nice early kick off for a 8km walk around Cape Foulwind walking track that takes you to Tauranga Bay It was a pleasant walk on a well groomed track, the fact that the weather was more easterly meant the track was sheltered from the forecasted wind although they were light anyway. The track appeared to have a lot of ups and downs as it gradually descended from the height of Cape Foulwind down to Tauranga Bay however overall it was mainly down hill. The views were as expected awesome. Once reaching Tauranga Bay we choose to return via the Kawatiri Cycle Trail that was slightlyRead More →

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Today we take the first step of completing the Kawatiri Trail of which as normal we have to do it both ways, so today’s ride is a fraction under 19km which means we ride double that distance. Leaving early enough we start with a short windy section of native forest at Cape Foulwind whichen descends down to the northern end of Tauranga Bay. Just a lovely bay with short ride to the south end. A short ride through to Nine Mile Beach, an awesome sand beach with easy access and when the sea is right it looks great for surfers… of which we never seenRead More →