The Great White Hunter! Hi Gordon, I thought this might be the area planned for wind turbines. Don't call me a greenie, but I must say I'm glad it's being left the way it is - it has a mood all of its own up there. I can imagine the shooting was enjoyable - much more appropriate use for the land. As for the weather, here's a wimpy Aucklander that can't even comprehend what it must be like in the depths of winter. Cheers, Mike
Thanks Lesley! And I certainly don't include Ford vans in my criticism of camper vans/motor homes (what is the difference anyway?). A lot of these people need to get off their backsides and join the world - what are they afraid of? There they go: averted eyes, windows tightly sealed, photo stops without getting out, bikes hanging off the back that never get ridden - oh dear, i must stop before my prejudices run away with me. After all that, glad you've enjoyed the blogs - it's been fun doing them.
Thanks Chris! For your kind words. Yes, there are lots of byways still to be cycled, but there's also an income to be earned. I've loved every moment (well, almost every moment) of the past few months, and I've been delighted to find others who've enjoyed coming along for the ride. See you back in Auckland before too long. Regards, Mike
I don't want you to finish Mike. I want you to continue cycling and blogging all the way back to Auckland. Surely there are roads to be ridden and views to be photographed and posted along with your whimsical commentaries. Oh alright then, come on home. See you in Auckland. (I've loved every golden mile and word.)
Well done Fantastic, Mike...Congratulations on an amazing journey and diverse experiences. Have loved the blogs...'you done good!'
Hope you and Judy have wonderful weather and more fun!xx
great moss swamp I know that area well Mike - I used to shoot duck regularly on the Great Moss Swamp. It is indeed beautiful country...and that landscape was to have been covered with wind turbines.
A couple of years ago when I was down there curling the temperature dropped to minus 19 C.....at Ophir. You were lucky you only got frosted way up there.
Good to see you knocked the bugger off though.
Cheers
so sorry raymond i have lost your address and would have contacted you to say that i have decided not to sell you this item after seeing what i was able to do to the creek in a week of digging. The damage that i had inflicted to the stream bed shocked me into the realisation that this tool in the hands of a fully abled person would quickly destroy any creek bed that it was used in thereby removing the future enjoyment of others to fossic and reduce the long tem viability of said stream for future generations.To my mind it is comparable to a suction dredge.I do hope D.O.C. do outlaw this tool or at least restrict it to the elderly and disabled.
Where the Wild West Winds Blows Hi Ross, glad to be able to report I wasn't riding into it. But I have discovered that most winds are head winds. Why is that? Just had a fantastic 2-day ride over the Old Dunstan Rd from Dunedin to Alexandra. Great fun but hard work and freezing cold at night. Love to all, Mike
Dear Mike,
Sounds like you are through the hardest of your riding now. That wind looks intense. Please tell me you weren't heading into it.
Great job down there!
Rock Shovel Hi Raymond, I'm sorry to hear you've had a bad experience with Keith. I wonder if a rock shovel is the same as a rock fork - which has 11 tines. Keith had one which he said he'd brought back from Germany. He reckoned they should be outlawed because it's too easy to shift large amounts of rock and scar riverbeds. He excused himself on the grounds of some kind of disability, saying without one prospecting would be much harder for him. cheers Mike
Trimmed Beards Hi Lesley, we should point out to others readers that Alisdair is having to trim his beard as a safety precaution - so a gas mask will fit properly in case of an emergency aboard ship. Wasn't it a great weekend - a very special family occasion. And no - I don't think travel journalism pays much. I know when I'm well off! Cheers.
mayor of Goldsborough We met Keith the mayor of Goldsborough 2010 during a 2mth road trip around the south island. We were taught by Keith to gold sluice and pan for gold. We also had a gentlemans agreement to purchase from Keith a rock shovel for the sum of $60 dollars price and terms were agreed to. Sad to say we have yet to hear from this former mayor of Goldsborough my faith in the man is dented. Maybe we should hold an election for a new Mayor one who stands behind his word.
Blast From The Past Hi Jim, Fantastic to hear from you. Yes, someone mentioned you were in Wellington. It would be great to catch up some time. We had some great times a very long time ago. regards, Mike
Blast From The Past Hi Jim, Fantastic to hear from you. Yes, someone mentioned you were in Wellington. It would be great to catch up some time. We had some great times a very long time ago. regards, Mike
A Beer Would Be Good Hi Marc, yeah it has been a while. I remember trying to get the bike into the back of that van - I think it belonged to Gravy. Next time I'm in your 'hood would enjoy catching up. regards, Mike
DoC Pelorous Hi,
We met you at Pelorous camp. Had a chat. Pleased to hear you arrived at your goal safely. Do call in if you're down our way. 10km from Ohope, Cheddar Valley Pottery. We'll put "the billy" on for you. We have tent space, or a bed!
Margaret
Had doubts Hi Mike. Been a while since you, me and one Paul Campbell was having a beer in the Paparoa pub. You done good mate, that little Fraser will feel like a Rolls Royce after that bloody pushbike. Looking foward to seeing you in Pap soon.
it seems like 40 years Mike, mutual friends have drawn your cycling efforts to my attention and I am impressed, although a little surprised that any marathon feat you attempt does not involve some kind of yacht. If you are ever passing back through Wellington don't be a stranger.
Congratulations Hi Mike, I second Gordon's comments. I too have enjoyed the few minutes escape from the pressures here. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Janine
Hi Mike, Congratulations on making it happen! And for sharing it. It's been thrilling for me to have such terrific visuals and great narrative about home. Hope you and Judy have a lovely time this weekend with the family - put your feet up! Melanie xx
A LATTE SIPPING, PONSONBY DWELLER GOES ADVENTURING BY BICYCLE
HOW TO ACCESS MY BLOGS
-----------------------------------
Scroll to the BOTTOM of THIS PAGE.
Click on either 'latest entry' or 'first entry'.
There are other options to place comments etc, just click around.
THE BIG PLAN
-----------------
I made a solo cycle ride from one end of New Zealand to the other over the southern summer - 2009/10. I kept off the busy highways as much as possible, and even managed a few 4WD tracks in some of the more remote corners of the country. I finished on 9 April 2010 and returned home ... full info
Maria
non-member comment
likewise
Hi Mike! I was also happy meeting you again! Three people - three bottles ... suits well ... :)