5th January 2022 (cold and misty, warm and sunny, cold and windy, showers) 62km

Three people in a small two man tent does go but not very well. After being absolutely soaked through last night, we decided that not only did we need to get warm after a daunting afternoon, but we didn't really have the space, or energy to put up Brody's tent. 

The four other people who had tents in the same vicinity were a group, but we couldn't make out whether the two girls and two guys, were with each other. What we did know is that they were weird. Both looks and attitude. It was like that television program, where all the "different" people get together to try and pair up. Just what the world needs more of, weirdos mating, great idea.   At least they all had separate tents.  

The sleep may not have been fruitful, but we did manage better than any of us thought we would.                                 

At 5.45am Julia's alarm rings ready for Brody's pick up and ride into Mossman. We set about clearing our gear up and make sure that Brody was ready. On the dot at 6.15am, Adam turns up in his Ranger ute. Loaded up, they were off into the yonder. That was when we noticed Brody's soaking wet shoes from the night before, hanging on a tree. So, now we have Brody in jandals and socks, taking all he has into Mossburn, to hopefully secure us a tent site or cabin for the night. Not much we could do, except load his shoes onto my bike and once we cleared our gear away, we high tailed it out of camp the four kilometres to the main gravel road, with another 50 or so kilometres to go.                      

And boy, did we go. The gravel wasn't brilliant, but we could get a good roll on and there were only two cars in two hours to contend with. We were looking at low cloud with the odd peak of blue, but it was nearly as "odd" as our neighbours last night. We were sitting at an average of twenty kms per hour and the road was mainly flat.         

 I have to say, I do wonder how overseas tourists regard these roads as the quality of trails in places like Europe makes riding more accessible for a variety of ages, whereas, certain age or injury groups here, would have limited chance of completing some of these trails.               

Stopped for something to eat at 8.36am by some farm gates, when a Scottish stockman pulls up. Had a good chat and I asked him if he thought we should stay on the road we were on, or take the sign for cyclists off to the left. Definitely go left down the valley, it's longer but with the stock traffic and the boat traffic on the road this morning, it's a no brainer.       

We enjoyed a nice break and then set out on the best gravel trails we've had so far. Smooth, small pebble stones. With ten kilometres to go, we noticed we were suddenly pushing into a head wind, the clouds now looked dark and threatening coming over the surrounding mountains and the temperature had begun to drop. 

Off we set again, lifting the pace, in the hope that we could outrun the rain, which we had failed miserably last night.  With less than a kilometre to go, we had to shelter behind a water safety building of some kind to don our wet weather gear. As we were waiting, one of the guys that runs inspections there arrived and lets his eleven week old fox terrier out of his cab. His name was Razz and what a cutie.                                

Waited for a break in the weather and rode into town (cue Western gunslinger music) where we found Brody sitting at one of the two cafes in town (he'd already tried them both since arriving with Adam at 7am).          

He'd checked us into the local holiday park, into a cabin, which seemed a good move with the weather looking dodgy. Unfortunately, we couldn't check in til 2pm and as it was only 11.36am, we stayed in the cafe killing time.           

Met two couples from Auckland, two guys touring around with their next stop Te Anau before Milford Sound. The other couple had cycled from Mavora Lakes on e bikes and the Asian lady was particularly chatty and wanted to know all about our trip. They were on a luxury cycle tour from Walter Peak around to Queenstown. Being transported to luxury accommodation at the end of each leg.

Decided at 1pm and with the weather cool and looking threatening, to cycle to the Holiday Park and was so glad we did, as our cabin was ready in beautiful surroundings. Julia met Raphael and his girlfriend, Kate. She was from Tauranga and he was Brazilian. He was tramping and his girlfriend had been cycling. A solo female cyclist had also pulled into the camp. We showered, I shaved as well and then Julia set a load of washing off whilst I got the inner tent and fly out to dry, as well as the ground sheet. A young dog, Skip, came bounding over from an eight metre Trailite wagon and we met his owner Shelley. She's owned the van for three years, bought it in New Plymouth, not impressed with their customer service and has been living full time in motorhomes for ten years. She invited us in to see inside and as you might expect, it was very nice. She explained that she bases herself in the camp and goes to work at different places as it takes her fancy. She was very nice and very informative. It's now 5.30pm and although it's looked like rain for the afternoon, it's come to nothing.               

Funny how you can speak too soon. I wandered over to the kitchen where Julia and Brody had migrated to for better WiFi. There I met Raphael and Kate and also James, from Bath, a very nice guy, who came over here pre Covid and has ended up on a working visa, but staying predominantly in this campsite, as he loves it and its proximity. Can totally understand that.

Back to the cabin to eat some delicious sandwiches Julia had bought from the cafe at lunchtime, before settling in for the night. Tomorrow Brody will be testing his leg out to see if he can continue. I hope he can, but I also don't want him to make it worse.    Settled in for a night of blogging and chatting.