8th January 2022 (warm, sunny, windy arvo) 42 km

Woke this morning at 7.40am with the heat from the sun, becoming a little uncomfortable to remain in the tent. At 3am Brody and I had been outside trying to get a good night shot, but the weather wasn't conducive. Now, the sun was shining and the breeze was up, just enough to dry out the tents. Our hawk was also back again, although he didn't hang around for long this morning and the light wasn't doing Brody any favours.                                

Packed up and rode toward "The Coffee Bomb" a stainless steel caravan doing coffee and food, out in the middle of nowhere, in Garston. Just before we got there we stopped to take shots of old buildings once more. 

As we were shooting a church..... Not shooting up a church.... who should drive past, see Julia and turn around, but Dot. She had just had a coffee from The Bomb, but joined us for another. 

As we talked, a duo began playing acoustic guitar and singing, very good too. So, now that we've confirmed that Dot is definitely stalking us, we will speak of it no more.  After saying our goodbyes yet again.... pretty sure for the final time til we get home, we made our way into a head wind.... yet again, toward Kingston.                                  

As we approached Kingston the wind grew quickly in intensity which wasn't doing Brody's knee any favours.  We were cycling towards the campground, when we ride past "Escape by Cycle" shuttles. 

Our next stage of riding was to be from Kingston to Frankton on highway 6 as there are no other options.  So Ju and Brody go in and have a chat with the guy about transporting us to Frankton rather than us cycle the main highway. 

Luckily we went there first because he was booked solid tomorrow but could take us to Frankton at 3pm this afternoon. 

Perfect for us as we have time to ride up to the local garage for some food which we then bring down to a reasonably sheltered place by the lake to eat. 

5

After eating, Brody and Ju go for a dip in the lake.... well, of course they do... and then it's back to the shuttle. Ian, our host and owner, came back from London three years ago, to set up a business and then Covid hit. He was a very nice guy and I'm sure he'll do well, especially after all this unrest settles down. 

Loaded the bikes and we were off. Glad we didn't ride this part as there was a car accident on the way. Makes you wonder if they were too busy looking at the views and not paying attention. The car involved, smashed through the crash barriers and wasn't far from toppling off the cliff. 

Frankton was reasonably protected from the wind but in Queenstown it was about 50kph! 

Ian dropped us off in Frankton and we cycled into Queenstown, where, once again the wind was howling. Decided another swim was called for and this time, I did go in.  It was great to cool down and soak off the dust.                        

Queenstown was gearing up for a Saturday night. The girls were out on the town, the guys, just a little bit loud. Sat outside a pub by the lakeside. Brody had an apple cider, Julia's usual Pinot Gris and I had a Guinness. Then we went for a kebab, eating them at the village green, before riding up to our accommodation for the night at Pinewood Lodge. Sounds impressive. It wasn't. 

A room for three with no air flow. We threw the window open as wide as we could, but it's right near the front entrance, so you can imagine that we're going to hear people walking in at all hours, especially being Saturday night.    

Brody and Julia both went for cold showers and I'll go before hitting the sack. Brody has suffered today with the heat and the wind and the pain in his knee and is tired and irritable.                 

Covered 42 kms today and ride to Stu and Eileen's tomorrow. Settled into our room, which probably is no bigger than both tents, so we don't envisage a good night's sleep.