Island One - Recap

Right - quick recap of the past 9 days. We have done 90 Mile Beach, the Kauri Trail, survived the Kaipara Harbour and Auckland's cycleways. We rode the Hauraki Rail Trail, the Waikato River Trails, the Timber Trail, Kaiwhakauka to Bridge to Nowhere and wandered by to Wellington via Wanganui, Hunterville, the middle of nowhere, Ashurst, Palmy and the Wairarapa, the Rimatuka Incline and the Hutt River Trails. Have done about 1500km, slept inside twice, in tent twice, under the stars twice and under various ad hoc shelters 3 times. I haven't had enough sleep and I Look like shit (too tired to think about blogging or taking photos most of the time). Have showered (small number) and also swam in Waikato to cool off. I did clean my teeth every day. Have drunk bottled water from dairys, tap water and from streams. Have eaten shit loads (and still lost 2kgs) including more fruit than I have in a long time. Drank beer twice. Have got through one bottle of chain oil, two tubes of suncream, and a large tube of rider/saddle interface cream. 

Did I mention it has been stupidly hot? If you have been watching the tracker and wondering why we stop for so long, it is because we were passed out in shade after cramming in as much food as would fit. (On arrival in Wanganui I dived into first gas station for an Coke, iced coffee, pie and fizzy fruit drink, and then demanded double takeaways for dinner ). I am pretty sure I have had mild heat stroke on several days, and then we frozen in southerly rain in 'rapa. 

Has it been fun? No, not yet. Probably won't be fun until it stops. 

Thoughts on the South Island. Potential to be so much better, and so much worse. Some big hills and beautiful places to go. Bring it on. 

Thanks for all the messages of support - don't expect an answer !  And to those who popped out today on Hutt River Trail and in town. Missing you all already.