Hey Seoul Sister
This blog has been delayed by a lack of phone signal. We have had nothing for 125 miles and are still some distance from a signal so have purchased internet wiffy in Makarora.
In response to the killer bees the Germans have formed an axis of evil with South Korea to strengthen the invasion force. The plucky South Koreans have taken most of Fox and had created a stronghold in the kitchen of our hostel. Their army seems to comprise mostly catering corp and they were churning out Asian food (which apparently they just call food) in remarkable quantities and varieties. They certainly don't have any cleaners in their number judging by the state of the kitchen this morning.
It Ain't What You Do
Yesterday lunch time we bumped into the local Catholic priest - Mike Mahoney. His parish covers about 300 miles of the coast but this means a few small towns and only tens of thousands of people. While chatting we discovered that he had led NZ's 1977 attempt on Everest.
(in those days only one attempt per year was allowed). This was impressive enough but it seems their attempt was without sherpas, without oxygen and with a budget of less than one tenth of the previous cheapest trip. They didn't make it but Mike got to within 4 hours of the top. Most notably, theirs was the first attempt without a fatality! Fascinating bloke! He left us to go and paint the church roof again without sherpas or oxygen.
Theme From The Battle of Britain
Today we encountered another large group of Merican cyclists and spent a happy 75 miles reeling them in. We even caught one just 10 minutes from the end. It was particularly pleasing because several of them acknowledged that being overtaken by guys hauling 30lbs of crap was a bit humiliating.
We are now in Haast, the point at which we turn inland to cut through the southern alps. We have two big hills before the end, one of which is tomorrow's climb through Haast pass...... bit of a beast. Gulp.
Pass the Dutchie
It is now tomorrow...... .well you know what I mean. Today we did the pass which was nowhere near as bad as I remember.......incredibly I do actually seem to be pretty fit on this trip and it really adds to the enjoyment.
We are camping in Makarora, now with the alps to to our right for a change. This is my favourite stretch and the scenery tomorrow will be off the scale.
We have a buffet dinner to look forward to, then we might go looking for action in the Bottom Lodge 😊
In response to the killer bees the Germans have formed an axis of evil with South Korea to strengthen the invasion force. The plucky South Koreans have taken most of Fox and had created a stronghold in the kitchen of our hostel. Their army seems to comprise mostly catering corp and they were churning out Asian food (which apparently they just call food) in remarkable quantities and varieties. They certainly don't have any cleaners in their number judging by the state of the kitchen this morning.
It Ain't What You Do
Yesterday lunch time we bumped into the local Catholic priest - Mike Mahoney. His parish covers about 300 miles of the coast but this means a few small towns and only tens of thousands of people. While chatting we discovered that he had led NZ's 1977 attempt on Everest.
(in those days only one attempt per year was allowed). This was impressive enough but it seems their attempt was without sherpas, without oxygen and with a budget of less than one tenth of the previous cheapest trip. They didn't make it but Mike got to within 4 hours of the top. Most notably, theirs was the first attempt without a fatality! Fascinating bloke! He left us to go and paint the church roof again without sherpas or oxygen.
Theme From The Battle of Britain
Today we encountered another large group of Merican cyclists and spent a happy 75 miles reeling them in. We even caught one just 10 minutes from the end. It was particularly pleasing because several of them acknowledged that being overtaken by guys hauling 30lbs of crap was a bit humiliating.
We are now in Haast, the point at which we turn inland to cut through the southern alps. We have two big hills before the end, one of which is tomorrow's climb through Haast pass...... bit of a beast. Gulp.
Pass the Dutchie
It is now tomorrow...... .well you know what I mean. Today we did the pass which was nowhere near as bad as I remember.......incredibly I do actually seem to be pretty fit on this trip and it really adds to the enjoyment.
We are camping in Makarora, now with the alps to to our right for a change. This is my favourite stretch and the scenery tomorrow will be off the scale.
We have a buffet dinner to look forward to, then we might go looking for action in the Bottom Lodge 😊
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