Mt Cook to Fairlie: Even more spectacular!!!!

February 11, 2017

Today was the best weather we have had on the entire South Island trip. To go with the weather we had absolutely spectacular views of the mountains, lakes and countryside. The whole ride was 100km but I opted to shorten my day a little because I am battling a slight cold. I am actually surprised it has not happened before this because I have beaten the crap out of my immune system over the past 2 months. Nonetheless I had a great day riding with Hilary in the morning and the German train in the afternoon. We has a farm stay with a lovely family. They have been farming for many years in this area after having grown up in the valley. The house they live in is a renovated old school house that was moved to this site. We had a wonderful meal of lamb, salad and vegettables with a real pavlova for dessert. I will let my photos do the talking,

The statiue to Sir Edmond Hillary at the Mt Cook.

A panorama of the mountains this morning.

Another photo of the mountains this morning.

Hilary riding away from the mountains this morning.

My bike looking back at Mt Cook and the lake.

The girl at the end of the day yesterday.

Gail and two of our Gernan friends approaching Peters lookout this morning

The chip seal on this road was a little rougher than usual but chip seal is the standard here.

A monument in Takepo to the sheep dogs who work the regional sheep farms

At our home stay tonight there was a brood of baby rabbits.

A monument to James Mackenzie for whom this valley is named. He was a Scot who imimigated to NZ to farm. He needed sheep so he stole several thousand for which he ended up in jail. He is so famous they named the valley after him.

The family. Michael the father used to bale hay to augment his farming income but he stopped doing that recently so Jane named their farm Dunbaylin Downs as in done bailing.

Today's ride: 76 km (47 miles)
Total: 1,992 km (1,237 miles)

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