After I finished my meal at the hotel last night I got talking to a local who asked what I was doing and conversation went on to what work I had done previously and advised that was employed by Ami and he then asked if I knew Gus Eathorne! Gus you strike again, he was the Green Keeper at Hanmer Springs Golf Club.

It dawned a nice clear day and while it was cool, it was not as bad as what I thought it might have been, first misson to find somewhere for breakfast. I had a good night last night and might have had a couple of liquids too many as took a while to get going.. Most of the breakfast Cafes did not seem to open until 9am, so it was just a coffee at the Bakery before hitting the road shortly after 8am and breakfast would have to be at Culverden.

It was a good run out of Hanmer and had learnt from the lessons of being cold yesterday, so everything was on, including toe covers recovered from the bottom of the backpack.

It was certainly warmer than yesterday as I could “feel” my fingers in a lesser time, when yesterday it had been difficult using the shifters for some time..

The road surface was good and the ups and downs to the flats of Culverden did not seem as bad as normal, so perhaps I am getting fitter.. On coming around Mouse Point it was like flicking a switch in that there was a wind and yep it was not helpful.. buggar.

Still breakfast was not far away so that was something to think about while counting down those last 7 ks.

The Cafe owner at Culverden said that he had done a bit of cycling and was impressed with the odyssey and then ended up in a long discussion about the merits of the various water irrigation schemes… Pays to stay neutral when in discussion with locals!

On the Culverden straight, what used to be forestry, has now been replaced by paddocks and fencing which must have cost a bit (owned by one of the Tribes) to get sorted and apparently the plan is for irrigation channels to supply this area as it can only be used for winter grazing use without water.

The Culverden straight was not as bad as what I thought it might have been with the wind and then Waikari and Waipara were soon able to be ticked off and then it was back onto SH1 retracing my route from day 1 on Monday 13 October.

A lunch stop at the Nor West Cafe at Culverden and then it was back to punching into the wind and south of Amberley there was a noticeable increase in traffic. Getting across the Ashley River with a long narrow bridge was really the last challenge before the run into Christchurch.

On the radio I heard that the forecast for tomorrow was for nor easterly winds, why could that not have been today!!

Emma had texted me for a coffee at the Cafe opposite BP with some of the BP Group so just needed to get there.

Just past Pegasus, Craig Jenkins from Ami past me in his car so he stopped and it was good to have a catch up.

Made it through Papanui and then on Blighs Road I took the railway cycle path to Fendalton Road and then it was straight to the Cafe and was first to arrive followed by Guy and then Al and Emma and it was good to see them all.

When I got home there was a late model mini in the driveway and thought that I might have had a car to compliment the “old shiter”, or a guest, except that it was the neighbours as their drive had just been laid.

Adrienne my other neighbour who has been kindly looking after my house and mail etc, brought me up to date and provided some milk, thanks Adrienne, you are a legend.

I was able to get my own car out of the garage and off to the supermarket as tonight I am back to cooking my own dinner. The neighbour with the mini has since been out and back and obviously does not realise that I am home, but no worries.

Total ks for the day 140 with a climbing elevation of 491 m and a decent of 825 m.

Well that is part 1 of the Odyssey completed, I hope that I have the motivation after a few days at home to commence part 2.

It will be a ride with the BP Group over the weekend if the weather is okay, so will be great to ride without the backpack.

Good to be home and apart from having cake at Anne and Kev’s, this is only the second night I have had dessert.

And, the weight on my scales was 80.7 kg so just short of the target of being under 80 kg.

Backpack was weighed at 6.8 kg and there is nothing in there that I could do without.

I have really enjoyed the trip so far although at times it has been challenging and character building, however, I am really going to enjoy being at home for a few days and taking the time to review what has been done as it does all become a bit of a blur until you check the map or the photos to bring back the memory of whatever the emotion was at the time!

Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support, it was really appreciated.