New Zealand...4 wheels good, 2 wheels better?

[OnHellas]

After a nice rest in the shed we set off for Te Anau. The plan was to camp there and take a ride to Milford Sound and go on one of the boat trips.

An early start was not on the agenda, as usual, but we’d run out of breakfast food so had a bit more motivation to get going. The cafe at the shed site didn’t do morning food.
I asked TomTom to take us to our destination via the shortest route. This took us via some gravel roads. Only about 15 miles but they were well graded and a pleasure to ride. One of the inclines was a bit slippery but no drama.
Wyndham appeared along the way so we took on petrol and headed for the only cafe in town. The sandwiches had a distinct Australian feel to them, soggy and lacking flavour, and the tea.......we have no idea what they’d done to it but wow, nasty.
Anyway, fed and watered we headed on. A traffic free day. Another, this is why I ride a bike day.
We topped up with fuel again in reaching Te Anau ready for the mornings ride to Milford Sound. The tent was pitched, boat trip booked and shipping bought. Job done.
Oh, the weather was looking good for Saturday too.

Two happy people, two happy bikes.

[OnHellas]

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[OnHellas]

For those of you that be been to Milford Sound you know it’s a Wow!
For those of you that haven’t, it’s a Wow!
We’ve been now and we think it’s a Wow!
The 75 or so miles from Te Anau is a Wow! of a ride.
If you’re ever here on a bike, ride the road. Don’t be tempted by a Coach and Cruise deal.
The road is a Wow!
Another Wow! in a “wow, bugger me” kind of way was how cold it was.
Only 9 degrees when we set off and with a low up in the mountains of 6!
Still, I’m not complaining, despite it being tourist central.
The ride was stunning, the hour and a half boat trip was stunning. We chose a small boat and luckily it wasn’t full to capacity. Add to that not sitting/standing with every one else, drinking the supplied tea and eating the supplied cookies, it was a good do.

Two happy people, two happy bikes.

[OnHellas]

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[OnHellas]

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[OnHellas]

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[OnHellas]

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[OnHellas]

I should add that during the boat trip we saw both Bottled Nose Dolphins and some Fur Seals. Not a hoop or a bucket of fish in sight. It’s always a treat to see these creatures where they’re meant to live.

The ride back to the campsite was a bit warmer, we stopped for a couple of photos and another cup of tea.
I think I had a bit to much tea because the night in a cold tent was a bit less comfortable than normal, if you follow my drift. I was pleased when morning came and it was time to get up and empty the tanks.

That brings up right up to date, Sunday evening. Sitting by the tent in our Helinox chairs. The ones with the high back, very comfortable and fully recommended by us.

Today we went out to see the Clifden (not a spelling mistake) suspension bridge.
50 miles each way.
That turned in to a 200 and something mile ride as after the bridge viewing we decided to continue to Riverton for lunch.
In the cafe we met a really excitable Dutch guy who was 2 days and 65km from the end of a 1000km walk from the top of the South Island. He is a motorbike chap too, and was very animated in telling his story of him and his brother riding in Iceland. (That’s on our list of to do stuff).

Anyway, respect to him. I hope he makes it to Bluff in Tuesday.

We took a different route back to Te Anau to mix things up a bit. Tea and cake was of course found, as was a fallen tree completely blocking the road.
A local told us of a gravel track that would bypass the expected one hour wait.
So we turned around, found the other route and rejoined the main road.....about 6 vehicles behind the ‘helpful’ bloke that had suggested the alternative route!!!

Still, it’s all part of the adventure.

Two happy people, two happy bikes.

[OnHellas]

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[OnHellas]

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