Day 28 of TA - It's got a seat warmer!
Wednesday 5th November
Distance: 79 km
Elevation gain: 965 metres
From Murchison to Springs Junction
About 7 hrs elapsed from 7:00am to 2:00pm.
Up early today because we wanted to get away early. We organised breakfast supplies yesterday so it was a quick grab and go breakfast at Owen's place. He's quite the character and so generous. He has a Japanese style electronic bidet toilet, with a seat warmer, and raved about it. I can vouch for it too. Without doubt, it's my favourite toilet experience in NZ so far! He cooked us a lovely dinner of venison and mashed potato, gave us a Powerade each to keep us going today, and wished us well as we headed off at 7 am. His parting words were that he was a Christian and that Jesus never harmed anybody.
First leg today was 38 km heading out of Murchison and climbing to the Maruia Saddle. It was a lovely morning with a low cloud covering the mountains that we were about to climb. The clouds burned off and it turned into a beautiful blue sky day. There was no breeze and it was easy cycling. We made the saddle summit at 11 am after four hours of steady climbing and a little bit of bike-hiking on the more steeper sections. It was very cool in the shade but the climbing kept me warm. The birch forest was simply stunning and I've decided it's my favourite kind of forest (it also reminds me of Tasmania and the Fagus). There were no food stops or petrol stations along the whole journey today so we carried everything we needed and filled up our water bottles from the streams that we crossed in the forest.
The second leg was 40 km down from the saddle to the Township/Village/intersection called Springs Junction. This involved some highway riding which helped our speed but is always uncomfortable with the trucks. They have been very considerate so far, slowing down and taking a wide line where they can. We made it to Springs Junction by about 2 pm and then called into the petrol station where we bought supplies for dinner and had a little treat of an ice cream after such a big day. On our maps Springs Junction is a town, but that is not accurate. It is an intersection of 3 roads with 2 service stations. And a few houses.
We then found Peter's place who was putting us up for tonight in a little hut on the corner of his block. It's organised via a website called Warm Showers that's geared for cyclists. The hut we have is pretty basic but we didn't need to put up our tents, so that's a positive. We can use the house for a shower and do a bit of cooking so all things considered it's pretty well suited to what we need. Peter and his wife are out at the moment so we have the place to ourselves until about 10 pm tonight. We'll catch up with Peter in the morning to say thanks for putting us up tonight.
Today's theme song is by Died Pretty - Godbless
Based on our experience with Owen last night and his blessing as we said goodbye.
Owen's place was a depot for the local electricity distribution company and I couldn't resist a photo with my bike and transformers in the background. I've worked with a lot of blokes like Owen over the years in my IT career with training, fault finding and support after implementing a new system. And I've been to many depots in regional Queensland, just like Owen's.
As we left the bitumen the gravel road warning signs left me feeling nervous. Bikes and logging trucks don't mix. But we didn't see any today (thank-goodness).
Rob did some preaching and missionary work today with the cows. They were very interested in what he had to say and they all came over to the fence when he stopped and had a chat.
Maruia Saddle - Photo control point 18
Our room for tonight - kind of like an oversized kids cubbyhouse. But it's warm and dry and Peter has been a great host. It is going to be a tight fit for both Rob and I inside.
Distance: 79 km
Elevation gain: 965 metres
From Murchison to Springs Junction
About 7 hrs elapsed from 7:00am to 2:00pm.
Up early today because we wanted to get away early. We organised breakfast supplies yesterday so it was a quick grab and go breakfast at Owen's place. He's quite the character and so generous. He has a Japanese style electronic bidet toilet, with a seat warmer, and raved about it. I can vouch for it too. Without doubt, it's my favourite toilet experience in NZ so far! He cooked us a lovely dinner of venison and mashed potato, gave us a Powerade each to keep us going today, and wished us well as we headed off at 7 am. His parting words were that he was a Christian and that Jesus never harmed anybody.
First leg today was 38 km heading out of Murchison and climbing to the Maruia Saddle. It was a lovely morning with a low cloud covering the mountains that we were about to climb. The clouds burned off and it turned into a beautiful blue sky day. There was no breeze and it was easy cycling. We made the saddle summit at 11 am after four hours of steady climbing and a little bit of bike-hiking on the more steeper sections. It was very cool in the shade but the climbing kept me warm. The birch forest was simply stunning and I've decided it's my favourite kind of forest (it also reminds me of Tasmania and the Fagus). There were no food stops or petrol stations along the whole journey today so we carried everything we needed and filled up our water bottles from the streams that we crossed in the forest.
The second leg was 40 km down from the saddle to the Township/Village/intersection called Springs Junction. This involved some highway riding which helped our speed but is always uncomfortable with the trucks. They have been very considerate so far, slowing down and taking a wide line where they can. We made it to Springs Junction by about 2 pm and then called into the petrol station where we bought supplies for dinner and had a little treat of an ice cream after such a big day. On our maps Springs Junction is a town, but that is not accurate. It is an intersection of 3 roads with 2 service stations. And a few houses.
We then found Peter's place who was putting us up for tonight in a little hut on the corner of his block. It's organised via a website called Warm Showers that's geared for cyclists. The hut we have is pretty basic but we didn't need to put up our tents, so that's a positive. We can use the house for a shower and do a bit of cooking so all things considered it's pretty well suited to what we need. Peter and his wife are out at the moment so we have the place to ourselves until about 10 pm tonight. We'll catch up with Peter in the morning to say thanks for putting us up tonight.
Today's theme song is by Died Pretty - Godbless
Based on our experience with Owen last night and his blessing as we said goodbye.
Owen's place was a depot for the local electricity distribution company and I couldn't resist a photo with my bike and transformers in the background. I've worked with a lot of blokes like Owen over the years in my IT career with training, fault finding and support after implementing a new system. And I've been to many depots in regional Queensland, just like Owen's.
As we left the bitumen the gravel road warning signs left me feeling nervous. Bikes and logging trucks don't mix. But we didn't see any today (thank-goodness).
Rob did some preaching and missionary work today with the cows. They were very interested in what he had to say and they all came over to the fence when he stopped and had a chat.
Maruia Saddle - Photo control point 18
Our room for tonight - kind of like an oversized kids cubbyhouse. But it's warm and dry and Peter has been a great host. It is going to be a tight fit for both Rob and I inside.
Another excellent day! We have travelled through Springs Junction many years ago and there is very little there! Enjoying reading your blog, I like the bits of humor! Especially re the bidet, such luxury! I too like our beech forests, they are lovely to tramp in, soft underfoot! All the best for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteRemembering back to your magpie encounters, I received an unexpected slap on the back of the head from a noisy miner on my morning walk. They often go for Gidds but it’s the first time they’ve hit me. I thought a branch had come down on me. Hope they are one hazzard you are not encountering still. Love the weather you are having.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that the locals are so accommodating to you both,gives a warm glow in future recollection of the trials and tribulations in your oddesy. All down hill to the coast?.and good weather as well would be nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day, and friendly folk!
ReplyDeleteGreat pic of the cows experiencing Rob the orator
The Rob worship photo tickled me!
ReplyDelete