Apple Store, Christchurch, NZ

Gives a different meaning to container shopping.  The Kiwis are creative in using shipping containers for a strip mall area.  This is within sight of the fences around the "red zone" in downtown Christchurch.  Buildings in the red zone will be torn down.  The plan is to rebuild but I was told that could take up to 10 years.  There is still discussion on whether the businesses should relocate away from the center and use that area for something else.

Red Zone

There is a fence around the downtown area. Most and possibly all will be demolished.  The barriers change, to allow for a 'drop zone' based on what buildings are being demolished. 

Clock tower

I lost the picture and am working on getting it back. 

Porto loo

There are many porto loos In the Avonside area...about every 4 houses. Note the blue pipe/hose that is in place to get water to/from the houses.

Avon River

No more punting on the Avon.

Wool

The lanolin was obvious to the touch.  The grey wool is put into a different pile because it is a different grade of wool.

3 Lambs

They looked scared in the pen but were docile when Tony started to shear them.

Lake Tekapo

View from inside Good Shepard Church in Lake Tekapo.  This is a small town with a strip mall on the highway.  We found this the best place to shop for gifts.  The lake was an exquisite blue because it was glacier fed.

Lake Pukaki

I know this looks fake but it truly is accurate.  This was taken on the road from Mt. Cook to the end of Lake Pukaki. Several of us got in the van at the end of the lake and were very happy we did.  It started pouring down with rain and the wind picked up.  The next place on the route was to cycle along the canal connecting Lake Pukaki with Lake Tekapo.  This was where Josh and Ann drove us earlier and we saw the salmon farm. 
By the time we got to the start of the canal the wind had increased to gale force and the highway department closed the canal road.  Three of our cyclists had already started through and it took us quite a while to collect them.

Cliffs on Lake Pukaki

It looks fake but the water is glacier melt off and is this beautiful aquamarine.  The dark skies added a new dimension to the land and water.  We were in and out of drizzle all morning.

Mt Cook to Fairlie

We had a fantastic tail wind.  The rain was right behind us and encouraged us to not tarry.

Last cycling day

Our last day was from Fairlie to Timaru on the east coast. We did an easy, sunny 62 km.  This was the best weather of the whole 2 weeks.

Sheep shearing

We stayed at a farm...called a 'farm home stay'... in Fairlie. It is a working farm and the farmer was a world class sheep shearer.  He selected three lambs and sheared two of them with the electric shears and one with the super sharp hand shear.  It was amazing to watch.

Cont of sheep shearing

Part 2 of demo.

Coronation Bath House cafe

Built in 1910 in honor of King George V.  We are in Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu.  We had tapas for dinner and watched the local rugby team work out.

Sunset

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, NZ.

Rugby team

The local rugby team almost ran us down then did more training on the beach. Fellow cyclist Jan got so excited she walked into my shot.

Wed, Feb 22 was the 1 year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated downtown Christchurch. We are going to the "red zone" downtown when we return to ChCh on Sunday.  I'll post pictures later from Christchurch.

Sir Edmund

"Even the mediocre can have adventure and the fearful can achieve"
Loved, loved, loved the movie of his life. I'm at the Mt Cook Hermitage Center and should be able to see Mt Cook... except for the pouring rain.  Hope to ride out along Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo tomorrow.

Chilly, windy descent down Cardona Pass, steepest descent I've ever made. Had to stop half way because I was smelling the brakes. The rims were extremely hot to the touch.

Rainy day on the road from Omarama to Mt. Cook. Many people didn't ride today.

Feb 21, sunny day off in Queenstown. Spent the day walking around and enjoying the sights.

Feb 21, First view of Queenstown from Cardrona Pass.

Feb 21, heading up Cardrona Pass

Feb 21, hundreds of sheep along a stream

Feb 21, unusual metal mailboxes

Could they be re-purposed as bird nests now?

Feb 21, Wanaka to Queenstown, historic building with beautiful back court yard.

Feb 20, sunset over Lake Wanaka, one of the few beautiful sunsets. We had fabulous squid for dinner.

Feb 20, Lake Hawea, on the way from Makarora to Wanaka. Stopped for lunch on a roof patio.

Feb 20, Fearless Foursome with Mr. Plywood biking from Makarora to Wanaka. We are on The Neck summit of 405 meters. Sally, Sue, Marlene, Sue and Jim.

Feb 20, still smiling after 12% incline at The Neck between Makarora and Wanaka.

Feb 20, Lake Makarora

Feb 19, pits in the fruit crumble

Feb 19, wine tasting

PedalTours sponsored a great wine tasting.

Feb 12, Chinese Celebration

Feb 12, Chinese Celebration

Feb 12, Chinese Celebration. Hageland Park, Christchurch.

Feb 11, Operation Deep Freeze

 For a while I seriously considered trying to return to Antarctica to work at McMurdow station.

Feb 12, bike fit

Getting our bikes set up at Chateau on the Park, Christchurch.  Marlene and Sharon from BC.

Feb 11, on the way from Twizel to Christchurch. Thought this was an interesting saying on the back of the truck.

Feb 10, country side

The drive from Twizel back to Christchurch was beautiful even though it wasn't in the mountains,

Feb 10, St John's Observatory overlooking Lake Alexandria

Feb 10, Josh's Lake Alexandria

Feb 10, spring water

We visited Josh's family Bach.  That is short for Batchelor House.  It is on Lake Alexandria and he has been coming here for over 70 years.  They still get water from the spring.

Feb 10, Josh's Batch

Feb 10, salmon farm

There was a hole in one of the enclosures so many salmon escaped.  Of course, local fisherman decided to get dinner.

Feb 10, salmon farm

The canal goes from Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo.

Feb 10, hydro pipeline

The tow of Twizel was founded when the pipeline was being built.  When the pipeline was finished there was a great uproar over tearing down the homes so they were left.  It is now a burgeoning second home community.

Feb 10, Mt Cook. My favorite view.

Feb 10, Lake JoshsAnn in Twizel

Feb 9, our hosts. Ann Barton and Josh Billings.

Feb 9, lake. Marlene and I with Josh Billings from Twizel. We are on Lake Pukaki with Mt. Cook in the distance.

Feb 9, Mt Cook. The water on Lake Pukaki is really that beautiful blue.

Feb 9, Twizel

Feb 9, pond. Ann and Josh created this out of swamp land. There is a rope and tire swing for the grandkids.

Feb 9, Ann Barton. The aunt of Rachael Laing, my Tucson yoga instructor.

Feb 10, outdoor shower. Visiting friends in Twizel.