New Zealand Tour 2011/12 part 6

It was dark and gloomy when it got light enough to see. Oh well. On with the wets again. But there was not much rain as yet.

Today I was to head south to Dunedin via the exquisite Lake Tekapo. I decided to take the main NS1 rather than the more scenic inland route. As rain was forecast all over the region, I figured the shorter the better. There was a fair bit of traffic but frequently occurring passing lanes kept the fast traffic moving fast, without being unnecessarily slowed by the numerous trucks on the road.

After 2 hours I stopped for a coffee in the quaint little town of Geraldine. I sat sipping quietly watching a tour bus disgorge 40 or so American Tourists into the courtyard like area full of souvenir shops. Jees they are noisy!

Then the rain came. Not quite bucketing down, but almost. I waited for a while - no real let up. OK then. Slight change of plan needed. Straight to Dunedin it would have to be. Riding those scenic twisties in the rain is pointless.

The next 250 k's was rain, rain, rain. Not very heavy, but steady. South Island river beds are generally composed of steel grey rocks and boulders that seem to have been violently strewn down.. Before today, almost every river I crossed was dry - maybe trickle of water. Today they are all raging. Not a pebble to be seen. The paddock's on the way that make up almost all of the roadside scenery, were heavy with standing water, livestock huddled against the wind and rain. Lots of run-off on the road. Watch out for deep puddles - guaranteed to send a jet of spray up your trouser legs.

The traffic was medium, but tourists and old fogey's were down to 70-80 kph, hunched forward as if it would improve the visibility. This and lots of traffic, especially big trucks sucking billowing plumes of turbulent spray in their wake made for a very nerve-wracking ride. I heaved a great sigh of relief when the "Welcome to Dunedin" sign loomed out of the mist.

My rain gear worked adequately in the circumstances. Could be better. All the way I was listening to "South. The story of Shackleton's last Expedition" on my iPhone which tells the story of a super heroic episode in polar exploration history, giving me a real perspective on human endurance in case I had any feelings of self pity!

Dunedin is a bustling little city. Neatly laid out with a marvellous downtown shopping precinct. All the mod cons but the people seem to be in a time warp. Anyone not a teenager is culturally stuck in the '50's it seems. Really charming.

So that's where I am until Sunday morning. I'll see what the weather brings as to where my next stop will be. That's what I love about touring in NZ. No schedule, no bookings. Just see what happens.

Sorry. No pictures today. iPhones in the rain are a no-no.