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Day 10 - 10th November 2012
Ward to Picton
82 kms
Ward to Picton
82 kms
Interesting New Zealand facts:
Largest Lake: Lake Taupo - 606 km. - Deepest lake: Lake Hauroko - 462 m.
Longest River: Waikato river - 452 km.
Largest glacier: Tasman Glacier - 28.5 km long.
Largest Lake: Lake Taupo - 606 km. - Deepest lake: Lake Hauroko - 462 m.
Longest River: Waikato river - 452 km.
Largest glacier: Tasman Glacier - 28.5 km long.
PREVIEW:-
Another sub 100k day as we complete our ride to the top of the South Island through the Marlborough province. And what is Marlborough famous for – yes – Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc!! The first 20 kms of the day will see us reach the small town of Seddon, and a further 25 kms on we will arrive at Blenheim (pop. 30,000) and the centre of the Marlborough wine growing activities.
Hopefully we will have lunch at one of the famous vineyards in this area – before we head to Picton (a further 30 kms) where we will spend our last night in the South Island, before boarding the ferry to farewell the South Island – cross Cook Strait – and touch down in Wellington.
Another sub 100k day as we complete our ride to the top of the South Island through the Marlborough province. And what is Marlborough famous for – yes – Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc!! The first 20 kms of the day will see us reach the small town of Seddon, and a further 25 kms on we will arrive at Blenheim (pop. 30,000) and the centre of the Marlborough wine growing activities.
Hopefully we will have lunch at one of the famous vineyards in this area – before we head to Picton (a further 30 kms) where we will spend our last night in the South Island, before boarding the ferry to farewell the South Island – cross Cook Strait – and touch down in Wellington.
REVIEW:-
Predicted 73 kms - actual = 82 kms
Today we have completed cycling from Bluff to Picton - the entire South Island of New Zealand - and how elated we all feel!!!
We got up bright and early in Ward - a quiet little place - but it could be one of the busiest stretches of railway line in New Zealand ........ - well so far anyway!! I must admit, the traffic between Christchurch and here has seemed much quieter than prior to Christchurch - would be good to think that the railway tracks are taking much of the freight!! At times I have felt jealous of the trains - they had tunnels to go through when we had to go over the top of hills, they went under-roads when we had to pedal up and over - sometimes it just seemed unfair!!
When I woke, my first thought was - has the wind dropped! Yes it had - but only a bit! It was also sunny, even though the temperature was pretty low - but it looked like we would have a lovely day!
The elevation map today turned out to be absolutely spot on. When we reached the 32 km point after battling head winds we were at highest point of our day. Down the hill we swept into the Wairau Valley - fantastic!!
The previous day, I had contacted Peg Fleming a friend of many years - and one of those wonderful people who despite no contact since moving to Australia - she was instantly there for help when called on!! My request was for Peg to store our bikes safely while we all piled into the Jucy Van to tour around Blenheim. We cut across Alabama Rd just prior to Blenheim and rode to Peg's place - which included passing the local A&P Show that was on - very tempting to stop! Wonderful to see Peg again and her daughter Sally and their family of Bostons! After a very welcome coffee we were in the van and off - through acres and acres of Vineyards - seeing all those brands synonymous with the Marlborough area of New Zealand. We lunched, and visited a chocolate shop, before what I believe was the highlight of the day - if not the trip to date.
We had a 1:45 pm appointment at the Toi Toi Vineyard in the Omaka Valley where we were meeting Chris Young the "winemaker". What a passionate and enthusiastic man Chris is!!! We could feel the pride and the energy that went into producing his wonderful Toi Toi Wines. I am sure we all learnt a lot from Chris - well I know I certainly did. We have the simple bit - unscrewing the cap on a bottle and drinking it - hearing just what goes on to make it happen during the growing stage was amazing. So crucial to success is the quality of the grape - and the attention to detail during the growing period is amazing. This Toi Toi block is taking the organic approach which provides added challenges, but then the rewards of wonderfully products produced in an organic way. It really was the attention to detail that amazed me - and I could talk for hours to people who show such passion and enthusiasm for their work. Jucy followed Chris's ute around the vineyard as he pointed out all the where, what, how and why's of grape production. Truly amazing - and when I sipped my Toi Toi tonight whilst celebrating the finish of the South Island ride - I had a mass of new pictures in my mind!!
All too soon (but promising myself a holiday back in Blenheim) we had to head back, get on our bikes and set off to Picton. It was 27 kms to end the day and the winds were pretty strong - but the thoughts of reaching the top of the South Island kept us pedalling and we arrived in good form - ready to crack open a bottle (or two) of Toi Toi Sauvignon Blanc.
What a fabulous day!!!!!!!
Predicted 73 kms - actual = 82 kms
Today we have completed cycling from Bluff to Picton - the entire South Island of New Zealand - and how elated we all feel!!!
We got up bright and early in Ward - a quiet little place - but it could be one of the busiest stretches of railway line in New Zealand ........ - well so far anyway!! I must admit, the traffic between Christchurch and here has seemed much quieter than prior to Christchurch - would be good to think that the railway tracks are taking much of the freight!! At times I have felt jealous of the trains - they had tunnels to go through when we had to go over the top of hills, they went under-roads when we had to pedal up and over - sometimes it just seemed unfair!!
When I woke, my first thought was - has the wind dropped! Yes it had - but only a bit! It was also sunny, even though the temperature was pretty low - but it looked like we would have a lovely day!
The elevation map today turned out to be absolutely spot on. When we reached the 32 km point after battling head winds we were at highest point of our day. Down the hill we swept into the Wairau Valley - fantastic!!
The previous day, I had contacted Peg Fleming a friend of many years - and one of those wonderful people who despite no contact since moving to Australia - she was instantly there for help when called on!! My request was for Peg to store our bikes safely while we all piled into the Jucy Van to tour around Blenheim. We cut across Alabama Rd just prior to Blenheim and rode to Peg's place - which included passing the local A&P Show that was on - very tempting to stop! Wonderful to see Peg again and her daughter Sally and their family of Bostons! After a very welcome coffee we were in the van and off - through acres and acres of Vineyards - seeing all those brands synonymous with the Marlborough area of New Zealand. We lunched, and visited a chocolate shop, before what I believe was the highlight of the day - if not the trip to date.
We had a 1:45 pm appointment at the Toi Toi Vineyard in the Omaka Valley where we were meeting Chris Young the "winemaker". What a passionate and enthusiastic man Chris is!!! We could feel the pride and the energy that went into producing his wonderful Toi Toi Wines. I am sure we all learnt a lot from Chris - well I know I certainly did. We have the simple bit - unscrewing the cap on a bottle and drinking it - hearing just what goes on to make it happen during the growing stage was amazing. So crucial to success is the quality of the grape - and the attention to detail during the growing period is amazing. This Toi Toi block is taking the organic approach which provides added challenges, but then the rewards of wonderfully products produced in an organic way. It really was the attention to detail that amazed me - and I could talk for hours to people who show such passion and enthusiasm for their work. Jucy followed Chris's ute around the vineyard as he pointed out all the where, what, how and why's of grape production. Truly amazing - and when I sipped my Toi Toi tonight whilst celebrating the finish of the South Island ride - I had a mass of new pictures in my mind!!
All too soon (but promising myself a holiday back in Blenheim) we had to head back, get on our bikes and set off to Picton. It was 27 kms to end the day and the winds were pretty strong - but the thoughts of reaching the top of the South Island kept us pedalling and we arrived in good form - ready to crack open a bottle (or two) of Toi Toi Sauvignon Blanc.
What a fabulous day!!!!!!!
PICTURES OF THE DAY:
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The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green. |
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