From The Alps

We did it! About 80 kms, our longest ride ever on the crappest trail, but the weather was perfect and we didn't get lost. We started the day with a bunch of Chinese, on our bus to Mt Cook, and then took a helicopter ride across the river. I got to sit in the front and enjoy the view of the Tasman Glacier and Lake Mackenzie, which just happens to be 380m deep.

Some wimps were also doing the trail, but decided to stay at Braemer Station, which is less than half the distance. They were dressed in lycra and looked the part. The trail was 125% gravel and ruts, but the scenery made up for it.

We did the trip in 7 hours, which included getting sunburnt and stopping often for pics and talks to people from Dorset. We celebrated tonight by going to our favourite bar in Twizel (well we have been here two nights) and having champagne. Tomorrow we only have to travel 37 kms to lake Ohau, mainly on the road. Unless we get run over, it should be a piece of cake.

Looks like a great little renovator, right?  This heritage hotel in Timaru (the Hydro something) got the chop only a couple of days after this shot. It is no more, it is a dead parrot.

They have it all happening in Timaru.

Took the bus from Timaru to Oamaru - about an hour 35 - and quicky went to our digs at the Old Bones Lodge about 5 klms south. Walking along the beach we came upon this piece of driftwood (beech - no really). I have no idea what Brenda is suggesting here, but if I had a crane i would have picked it up and taken it back to Australia and called it art - it would be worth a fortune.

Apparently these shags have taken over this pier in Oamaru and made it home. Soon to be taken over by a fertilizer company

So we catch a shuttle from Oamaru to a little place called Twizel. Twizel only exists because of the extensive hydro electric scheme that was built in the 60s. It is now the "Gateway of the Mackenzie" the region which has Aoraki/Mt Cook as its crowning glory. We then caught another shuttle to just above Mt Cook village where old Ted Hillary is immortalised (he did most of his early climbing on the Cookster). Here, our very friendly and helpful driver, Geoff, took this shot to mark the start of our 312 klm journey. How naive we were in those times.

Right from the start we were in trouble. The big rains plus global warming which was quickly melting the Fox glacier flooded all the available paths, but we were determined to press on, so we called in the chopper to take us and the gear across the flooded river. They advised us not to proceed, but we like to finish what we start.

Aoraki/Mt Cook just about to be released from cloud which only occurs during about 30% of daylight hours.

By now the flooding had subsided, and we were able to press on over the large shingle down into the wilds of Lake Pukaki.

Lake Pukaki looks harmless enough but get caught on the roads around the lake which have gravel up to 150mm deep, and you are in trouble. We weren't sure what would be easier, riding on the Lake Pukaki shoreline or on the roads. We chose the road but I am still not sure we made the right decision.

Wild! Where ever you look there is snow capped mountains, blue water, and green forests.

Fortunately we were able to escape with our lives after our pukaki experience. By the way, this sign does not indicate nor have any connection to an accommodation establishment.