Friday, 27 March 2026

2026 - Fri 27th



 













 

It’s a shame that JRR Tolkien never visited New Zealand he would have loved…,

I had an 8am early start this morning and rode in the rain for the whole 2 hours it took to get to the Milton Sound.  Even so the scenery was still fantastic - the mountains, the cliffs and the low hanging barrel clouds.

I managed to find the boat amongst the vast crowds of Chinese trippers.   So many of them staring at their phones all the time,  maybe it’s not real unless it’s on a screen.  Rather like people filming at a concert and not watching it live…. Ah well.

It was very foggy most of the time, in fact I would say that the ride up and back to Te Anau was better than the boat trip.   Some very tight 180° corners and a very impressive tunnel, and very little traffic.

I am now back at the Motel trying to dry out some gear.  The Gortex is no longer water proof.   Good job I was carry my trusty old yellow jacket,  and the seal skin gloves are soaked !!!!  

I am still having issues with the Garmin - I’ve given up even thinking that its going to talk to me other than saying “drive to highlighted route”..,, then nothing!  The other issue is that whilst riding a route, and about 1 hour/100kms from the destination the counters start going in reverse (honest).   

Well it’s stopped raining here now and I am about to wander into town in search of supper.   Tomorrow is a longish ride to Dunedin via Invercargil.