Nelson and Motueka

Wed 25th to Thurs 26th November

Another boiling hot day's cycle ride through gorgeous scenery. Had 2 saddles (hills) to get over and we met 2 ladies in their 50's from California, also cycle touring and heading for Nelson.

Had fantastic sweeping downhill from Whangamoa saddle (357m) and Emma and Michael passed us again just as we got to the top.

Stayed at another nice hostel and met a german lad called Gerald who is really into mountain biking and is biking around with a big rucksack.

The following day it was still roasting and we cycled to Motueka, via Rabbit Island and Mapua. The wind was very strong and it was a relief to arrive at Dorothy's and Peter's house. These are the couple in the thier 80's who we met about 6 weeks ago in the North Island at a campsite. We chatted to the them for about 10 minutes and they invited us to stay with them, which is what we did. What a brilliant couple. Dorothy was born and brought up in Bootle (the same as my Dad). They have lived their life for sailing, climbing and walking and are a real inspiration. We slept in a sleep out on bunk beds and they fed us and looked after us a treat. We had such a lovely time and didn't leave until lunch time the following day.