Fiorello at UW

After 5 years of dust gathering in my closet, my old Brompton bag is now affixed to my new Brompton. Fiorello was a demo bike in Manhattan late last year before I bought him and had him shipped to the West Coast. Last week I had a bag holder block installed so that I could use Wm the Conqueror's roomy and practical front bag. Maybe later I'll buy the rear rack and go touring again. We'll see. During my NZ South Island trip I missed having my baby bike along, as I'd done in 2010. I'd seen such a lot on William, and still know that seeing NZ from a bike seat is the best way to travel.
Here's to new adventures by bike!

Quad at UW

It's a raw unpleasant spring day, but they don't know that.

Getting ready to board for SFO

At Auckland Museum

On my layover I went downtown and checked out the museum. Very humid, so a bit hard to walk around Auckland. But I still recognized a few places. Strange.

NZ522 CHC to AKL Friday March 9, 7am

First leg

Leave taking

I put 6,084km on my rental car. I told the rental car guy that it was only kilometers, not miles. With good luck I'll be on Air New Zealand to San Francisco tomorrow evening. There is a time to plan, a time to do, a time to reflect, and each feeds into the next.
Haere mai

Waimakariri Valley

Sweet memories

Heading out of Arthur’s Pass

Arthur’s Pass Thursday March 9, 2018

Time is a river. Plunge in your arms, both up to the elbow, and pull out all the joy and beauty that lies, glinting like gold, just below the surface.

Kea at the viaduct lookout

Lovely to see a pair here.

Fabulous Otira Gorge 1999 viaduct

Including 16% crazy steep grades up to it.

Otira

Heading up to Arthur's Pass

Braided river en route to Franz Josef

Picturesque shed

View of Franz Josef, 2pm Wednesday March 7.

Last tea in Paradise

At Franz Josef Glacier. Fabulous sunny and hot day for my last full day driving the length and breadth of the South Island.

A little Auckland in Hari Hari

Hunter gatherer, likely a new start up on the West Coast. After all the tired and strange cafes of the past few days it's nice to be lifted out of time warp 1970s into the present. On a gorgeous sunny drive to Franz Josef, to boot.

Breakfast with Mt Cook

Seen from Hokitika on a clear March 7 morning, the first in some weeks.

Heading south to Punakaiki

Natural green stone from a beach north of 10-mile Creek on SH6

Although it is small, it is Greenstone.

Fox River Bridge

Substantial cyclone damage here.

Ahakoa he iti he Pounamu

Although it is small, it is Greenstone.

Koru at Hector

New beginnings, growth, harmony. The cycle of life. Grow upwards, curl downwards.
To the past I say thank you, to the future I say yes.

Leave taking

It's OK, baby girl.

Lovely road for a cyclist

Sent from my iPhone

Karamea Bluffs Ecological Area

Lovely twisty steep road back from Karamea through thick bush 28km and 18km separates by a farm. Perfect evening drive in brilliant coastal sunlight with deeply misty mountains inland.

2 nights at The Slaughterhouse in Hector

To the past I say thank you, to the future I say yes.

Fenian Trail head in Kahurangi NP

A new track

Fenian Track

Spent about an hour squelching along a wide track above the Oparara River. Birds including tui, for company. Didn't go as far as the mines.

Also seen at the Lyell campground end

Terrain for The Old Ghost Road at the Seddinville end

As I drove up the valley I saw a helicopter airlifting something mountain bike related up the valley. Were I a skilled mountain biker I'd do this 85km route.

One lane bridge to Rough and Tumble Lodge

A rainy misty humid day to explore the road to Karamea.

At Cape Foulwind

Well, duh. But often ignored by morons.

Fern Gully Bridge Sunday March 4

Enroute to Westport.

Unusual sentiment for picnic table graffiti

My robin buddy

Lyell campground

Distinctive house

Wakefield 1919 building

Nikau palm

What the recent rain brought

Day 2 to Duncan Bay

Stream crossing

Friday

On the Track Lodge

1st stream crossing in the cow paddock

Stile

First sight of Nydia Bay

Rata

Details of tree fern trunk

Hiking up to Kaiuma Saddle