March 2 - Pedallers Rest to Seddon - 32 km

Only 32 km!  What a lazy performance!  Here is the explanation.

We woke up at Pedaller's Rest to lots of wind (headwind of course) and rain.  So, we hung around for the morning.  The weather report said it would improve.  They pay those guys lots of money so we believed them.  We tidied up the place for Jim & Denise (the owners), since they had been so hospitable the previous evening.

About 11 a.m. we took a short ride out to the highway and convinced ourselves that the weather was improving, so we packed up and headed out.  Two km down the highway the skies opened up - rain and headwinds - my favourite!

We slogged on to Ward, where there was a coffee shop so fueled up on a bacon and egg pie.  The weather did improve, it stopped raining, but the wind was still strong and in our face.

The scenery is hummocky grasslands, similar to yesterday afernoon.  We ahve actually crossed into the Marlbourough area of the South Island, which is famous for wine.  So, here's a picture of one of the vineyards.

It was tough pedalling, with the headwind, some areas of thin to non-existent shoulders and lots of traffic. To make matters worse, the wind swirelled occasionally and would tend to blow one onto the roadway.  We decided descretion is the better part of valour and pulled off the road a number of times.  At least the sun had come out but the wind stayed fierce.

The little town of Seddon appeared ahead, so we decided enough was enough and we would go no further.  When I say small, I mean it.  Here's the entire main street, with about 3 streets of residences behind.

We pulled into the backpackers (one of two choices for lodging, the other being a campground) and inquired.  They were completely full up with temporary vineyard workers.  Our only option was a tent space, so we took it.  So, whoever bet against us using the tent in NZ lost the bet.  And here's the photographic proof.  We actually were able to see three wireless networks from the tent, but couldn't connect to any of them.

It turns out that the vineyard workers are from Vanuatu, over here for a 5 month contract.  They were very friendly and we had a few nice chats.

I am sitting in the tent after dinner composing this, and it does sound as though the wind has dropped.  We have 25 km to get to Blenheim or 55 km to Picton tomorrow.  The wind is usually less in the morning, so if we get 3 or 4 hours of calm we'll get some kilometers under us. 

It's getting dark and the computer's battery is low, so Good Night.