TA day 16: Wellington to Havelock
Distance 36km, Elevation Gain 471m
After a brief overnight visit home to reacquaint ourselves with our wives, do laundry and get cranky bikes fettled, it was soon time to congregate with about 50 other TA-ers plus bikes in the Bluebridge terminal for the ferry trip to Te Waipounamu! Another BIG shout out to Simon and Get Fixed bike shop for going above and beyond, on a Sunday, to sort out Alastair's steed ready for the challenges of the South Island ahead. Also a hearty thank you to James & Cherie and family for the lovely biscuits, also Matt and KJ for the awesome banana chocolate miraculoaf, both of which were consumed with relish during the crossing and fuelled our legs, ready for the ride ahead. Disgorged from the 'Straitsman', we turned directly onto Queen Charlotte Drive and hit the 34km road to Havelock at 5.30. A brisk pace from Andy indicated a strong desire not to miss our 7.30 assignation with the Captain's Daughter...the local pub where we booked dinner! He needn't have feared - we reached our destination at 7.10pm! A cracking ride, with lovely views of the Sounds to starboard and the setting sun to port. After an equally lovely meal and beers, it was off to our very comfortable accommodation at the Garden Motel for a well earned & much needed kip, to prepare us for the rigours of the much vaunted Maungatapu saddle ride tomorrow!
