Springs Junction Monday 14 March

 

Opposite the cafe where Lee -Anne caught up just as we were leaving Murchison-cafe was a highlight. Was really cold 🥶 biking early that morning 

One of our drinks brakes-Steve and Kristy

River was so clean and colour- beautiful 

In the valley and in the sun, great country scenes and productive farm lands in valley

Top of Saddle road-relatively easy gradient climb all the way to top over many river fordes

Top of Maruia saddle-Chris told me by phone that he made that sign

A museum in Murchison 

Tomorrow will pass 2000km as done 1994km  to date.

In a three man team with Steve (Broderick), who we started biking in the leg from Apiti to Palmerston part of the day and we are still together still and Kirsty *(Macdonald) who joined the team yesterday at wakefield whilst we were catching up with Keith and Diane and Jason just south of Nelson at what must be one of the best bakeries in NZ. 

Today did the leg from Lake Rotorua to Murchison and then on to Springs Junction where we are all sharing a unit. Arrived in time to shower, wash all the clothes properly and eat well. Plan an earlier night if possible. 

Was really cold biking until about 10.30 this morning . We had to stop to put more cold weather gear on after about 10 km as simply not warming up. The valleys that you go thru today are just so picture postcard. Great farms either side of mountain ranges and lovely snow follow rivers running down the middle. when over two saddles, the Braeburn saddle at 600 plus metres and the Maruia saddle at nearly 600 m. The tracks were gently pretty good. 

Had a big brunch at Murchison cafe where had wifi so posted. Was a neat pub like cafe. Clearly political in outlook relating to vac issue who welcomes everyone, but food was great as was hospitality. super comfy.

another hot day when sun finally won over the cold. 

Had the offer at staying at a friends bach but team wanted creature comforts with  showers , power etc so sadly had to apologise to Chris who offered his place. We ,meet  Chris at camp ground the evening before the start and he offered his batch. he lives in Christchurch. Chris rode the Kopiko that ended at wainui and then bikes up to a friends place just short of Cape Reinga and ins now doing the TA, and just arrived at Canvas town where the pub  was going off when we cycled past on sat late afternoon. Was a very generous offer from him.

Just off to ed but will upload some photos from today. Just pretty countryside.