Not much to report today. It was drizzling when I woke and when that stopped, rain was never far away. So I packed after Muesli and coffee and started the short easy ride to Twizel.
My intention was to have a rest day in Twizel. At Ohau village, I met a German couple who were cycling with their 18 month old son. They had had a cut in a tyre the afternoon before. Luckily, one of the tour companies brought a tyre for them on their regular trip this morning. They were lovely people and very brave cycling with a toddler along the Alps to Ocean trail.
The track varied between single track and trail and was enjoyable, cruising along beside the lake. Inevitably, it turned away from the lake, followed a canal, then turned towards Twizel. It was the easiest of days.
It was by the canal that the drizzle started again, and it got steadily worse until Twizel. As usual, I was pleased to finish and went to the best looking coffee shop for lunch. I had some homemade soup which came with a cheese toastie – bonus !
The camping ground was nearby, and I checked in and put my tent up in the light rain. Of course, when that was done, the sun came out for the rest of the day.
When I was checking in, I mentioned that I might stay for two nights and have a rest day. The lady from the couple behind me in the queue, followed me out the door and suggested a rest day in Tekapo. She said it’s 100 times better. That was discreet of her, and very good of her to say so – decision made. (Correct decision too)
So, the rest of the day was spent drying things out, checking the bike and tyres, reading and charging electronics. The campground was full of TA hikers and they were doing the same, so uniswd power points were scarce. They were a friendly bunch and were mostly doing the same as me.
I also met some Canadian cycle tourists – a father and daughter who didn’t ride together but rode to the same destination each day. It worked for them.
I cooked my remaining food for dinner then went into town for an ice cream before going back to camp for one last read before sleeping.
It happened only a few times on my trip in Australia, but this time, each night that I camped, my mat would deflate slowly and I’d wake up feeling uncomfortable.
Things have advanced now, and my sleeping mat deflates twice each night. I’ll sort it out on Tekapo.