A journey starts long before the adventure

Exploring the South Island on a push bike had been a dream of my for many years.  I imagined days of carefree living – no commitments other than finding food and the next camp site.  Each day getting stronger physically & mentally!  Would I be brave enough to take time off work and live my dream?

The planning to fulfil this dream started back in March, 2017 when my cycling buddy Sari (whom I meet when volunteering in Laos, back in 2005) came to visit me in Hamilton.  Sari and I had many cycling adventures in Laos; it was her who ignited my desire for more adventures.

When one uses the word “adventure” for doing stuff I found it changes your mind-set about what could happen, expect the unexpected or actually happens – it gives a wonderful sense of openness and freedom.  I recently found this description of adventure and it sums the word up beautifully:

Adventure is about… 

going out of your comfort zone to open yourself up to the experiences and beauty that life gives you, no matter what path you choose to go on.

The past 11 months have been spent dreaming, planning, training and working out kit and logistics – hence the journey starts a long time before the actual adventure takes place.  I’m currently sitting on the ferry Kaitaki (part of InterIslander group) crossing to Picton.  What a beautiful trip it is turning out to be.  Wellington on a clear, sunny, still morning is stunning.

The start

I drove down to Levin where my good old friends Cynthia & Geoff live and stayed with them and left Cynthia to look after my car.  Cynthia & I have been friends for 45+ yrs; we used to flat together.  It had been a while since we last caught up – plus they had just built a new home – so there was much to catch up on.  We went to see the movie “Three billboards outside ebbing missouri”.  Very intriguing movie and we had a meal with Cynthia’s brother Russell and his wife Anne.  What an opportune time, Anne was going to have a knee replacement operation in a couple of days times and what better person to promote knee replacements than myself (if I say so myself!!  :-).  Anne seemed genuinely pleased with my advice/recommendations.  My knee replacements changed my life and I’m determined to look after them the best way I can and cycling is proving to be one of the answers.

Waikanae – Ngaio – 90% cycle lanes

One of my goals had been to cycle into Wellington via cycle paths etc.  Prior to leaving Hamilton I had Googled and phoned many businesses to see if one could cycle all the way into Wellington on cycle paths – without much luck.  So when I heard that there was a new walk and cycle path from Waikanae to Paekakariki  (next to new expressway) decided to ride it and see what happens.

Wellington was at its best – nice southerly head wind blowing – just what cyclists love!  It was lucky this was the first day of my adventure: I was keen, fresh and eager to be on the road – otherwise it would have been a real drag!  Argh but very good for the mind and attitude – how to cope when things get a bit tough and the body starts to get tired.

Like so many things in life – once you start something its surprising what help crops up along the way.  I meet people who told me where to go and how to get to the next place without riding on any highways.  Got the shock of my life when I sat down for something to eat outside an old church hall in Paekakariki and a lady came up to me and said “hi Heather, great to see you!”  It took a couple of seconds to register, (we had been on a mountain bike weekend in Rotorua together many months ago).  Lynda was her name (keen mountain biker and lives in Paraparaumu), and she was packing up her stall at the morning market.  She reinforced the off main road route into Wellington.  While it sounded simple – it was actually quite tricky, no signage in majority of places; so ended up chatting to many people along the way asking for guidance.  People are generally only too keen to assist when asked.  Meet a couple of guys out training for the Tour Aotearoa ride starting in a couple of weeks.  Sari and I are riding the South Island section of this ride.

Finally made it to the home of Jules (Geoff’s niece) & Rob and their daughters Annalise and Claudia  who hosted me for the night – wonderful hosts and the girls were delightful – they both are unafraid to ask questions, of which there were many.  But what a way to learn.  The shower was refreshing, dinner was delicious, bed so comfortable and only a short downhill to the ferry.  What more could one ask for?

The Ferry Crossing

On a good day – this adventure is stunning – a must do for everyone.  Leaving Wellington, crossing Cook Strait and entering the Marlborough Sounds is quite breath-taking and very picturesque.

I loved watching all the vehicles getting driven onto the ferry; it was amazing the number of camper-vans and motorcyclists (180 plus I was told), without mentioning the trucks and cars.  To think of all that weight on the ferry and yet the ocean is so powerful that is can sway the ferry.  The reason for so many motorcyclists was because it is the Burt Munro 50th anniversary (world land speed record) this coming weekend in Invercargill.  There were many beautiful looking motorbikes.  Also crossing were a few cyclists like myself – all off on adventures.

Writing this blog encourages me to be mindful, be in the present, take more photographs  and talk to people more often than I would normally.  Had an informative conversation with one of the motorcyclists.  A group of 40 motorcyclists had shipped their bikes from Australia to Auckland and now travelling to Invercargill.  He old me he was a Kiwi but has been living in Sydney for 41 years this Waitangi Day.  He said he went for a three week holiday and ended up staying 41 years.  They are touring NZ for 3 weeks.

After leaving the ferry I cycled to Blenheim to spend two nights with my brother Ben and his wife Fran

.  They were looking after four of their grandchildren, while their parents (Marcus and Sam) were in Europe on business.  It has been some years since I last saw these great nephews and nieces – what great kids and what fun we had.  Six year old Quinn taught me how to make a loom band bracket using very small rubber bands and Violet made me another larger more complicated loom band bracket.  They are fun to make and seem to be a very popular activity.  Violet and Quinn also helped make pikelets which proved to be a very delicious and popular food option.  It was great catching up and chilling out – thank you Ben, Fran and kids – see you on my return.

On New Zealand’s ‘national day’ I cycled back from Blenheim and over to Ngakuta Bay, Marlborough Sounds were my cycling buddy Sari lives with her husband Norm.  It was decided we would begin our adventure the next day with Norm dropping us off in Nelson and we start cycling from there.   So that is it until the next update, take care – GoldCard Gal 🙂