Hokitika-rolled in in the dark(again)

At the summit of pass going thru to hokitika-was only 300 something meters high so not too bad compared with what coming

The glow of the sun going down as we neared Hokitika

One of the hydro dams, look at how low the water is and trees that were just cut off , but not at stump when dam was originally filled.

Cowboys Paradise outside the saloon

Dam again

Kristy get ready to ride out of town from the saloon, was a shooting range opposite side of road 

Saloon doors, large in side, really way done.

Getting closer to hokitika- did small amount of trails- maybe 3 or 4 km on trails with lights on.The Westlcoast wilderness trail over all ranks, highly on my favs’

 Had a busman’s holiday yesterday as had some zoom commitments so got the bike 3:30 pm ish and continued on the Westcoast Wilderness trial. Kristy and Steve were at the van when when I came out of meeting as they had just arrived so timing was perfect. They ended up with 150 something fo the day and i heard the stories about big River trek which I bypassed and sad to have done so, but life is what it is.

Typing this from what must be the best and probably newest campground in NZ in Hokitika. Built three years agai by a local it is marvellous. So new clean and spacious. For tenting ground is a bit hard is only compliant. Building and amenities and shower toilet block are fab. Long showers are such a treat as you ca image. Day 2 without nay pain killers and B is holding up. Pads even stayed on yesterday(until shower that is)

This Westcoast Wilderness trail is I think the best trail I have been on. Started in Greymouth and goes thru to Bluff. Took some footage on Nicks goPro which love to see on large screen. Have only a few photos sadly. Trail started around the sea and wounds it way to Kumera where we stayed last night and I had meeting in this lovely old hotel and had guest dinning room all to myself. Then started back on trails which sometimes end on gravel and sometimes on hard seal but for the most part was trail. Lots of hydro on this trail, I am guessing maybe 5 or 6 plants and lakes that fill them and purpose built streams to feed between them. After flooding down this way only a couple of weeks ago, the lakes looked a little low as did the rivers and tracks were very dry. One lake was showing the trees that had been flood when the lakes were originally filled and they were so soso obvious as you will see in the photos that I will attach. This whole of the westcoast has so much history, Gold rush, timber extraction, coal and political leaders who came out of the conditions that existed here. Snedden came from Kumera(I think-didn’t take the hoot I should have)

The riding was a little slower as on trails that worked up and down but slowly rose to a summit about ½ way thru and was full of variety. the ride in cowboy paradise (yes that right cowboy paradise0 was great, as was the scenery going out of there along paths that meandered back and forth thru grassy farm land and then on to a river 4 wheel track that was so scenic. 

About 15 k out of Hokitika were went past NZ first power station and followed a wooden water race down the track which was awesome. Yes best track I think for overall scenic beauty and neat riding we have been on and in fabulous condition. We could not hope for more.

Cowboy Paradise. What can you say. It’s owned by an eccentric who it seems lives alone in the middle of nowhere. he was civil and friendly enough to us but has a bit famous if you do a google search which i will leave to you. It is just like ridin in a wild west town. One main street. A solon and old wooden buildings on either side and including some new accommodation which were told by a guest was famous. the saloon is huge and we had a bag of chips and a milo to replenish. Glad i stopped to look at. Some are now avoiding but very unique.

Kristy has a pedal issue so going to get that fixed. Sev advised me last night that they will stay and get this done so need to decide what my plans are. May ride a bit in the cool which i like and meet them part way thru. Wood like to get to At least Frans Josef tonight which i worked out is 138km in front of us. See what happens. 

Hope are well. Heard covid related stories on zoom yesterday whilst everyone was preparing for meeting. Again on this you go to another place and the tour is your life and as if the real world was a distant place. please take care everyone.