HAYWAY Episode 39 – Balclutha, New Zealand
We became members of a cycle touring gang in this week’s How Are You? Where Are You? podcast.
As we headed into the remote Catlins region of southern New Zealand, we were joined by a couple of good buggers from the States.
Brian and Nick taught us a great deal and we had a brilliant time riding through some of the most stunning landscapes these isles have to offer.
Laughs and cheese rolls were shared on the journey and Nick’s mechanical nous came to the fore when Baden’s bike Fausto suffered his most catastrophic failure of the trip. A gallant attempt to resuscitate him an in impromptu ER in a woolshed was in vain, leaving the pair stranded in the wilderness until a kind Russian family came to the rescue.
There were some giant hugs handed out in Balclutha when we went our separate ways. The Americans drawn by the city lights of cosmopolitan Dunedin while the local kiwis sniffed the smell of moonshine in the Hokonui Hills.
Gang Riding in the Catlins
Clockwise from top left: spotting the Yellow-Eyed penguin in Curio Bay; the same bird on our banknotes; more sage advice from Brian and Nick; riding to New Zealand’s actual southern-most tip at Slope Point
Cycle Touring in Heartland New Zealand
Clockwise from top left: sheep rule the roads; Gore would like to be known as the Brown Trout fishing capital of the world; Shannon serves up the moonshine; Gore operates a No Gumboots Inside policy; Cheese Rolls, typical kiwi grub.
GREAT JOB, GUYS!!!!
Respect!
Brilliant – well done you two! It is amazing to think that you have done it AND that one of the greatest discoveries was actually rediscovering the very country you left so many years ago! (Thinking of Paulo Coehelo .. The Alchemist… have I spelt that right?). Love and happy memories from these beautiful Basque mountains of ours ( probably now just insignificant ripples in the terrain for the likes of you!). Shelley DO please give our love to your parents.
Georgina xx
Love you guys xxx
You guys are having such cool fun. Brian and Nick were awesome cycling companions. That aside…we are really really really looking forward to you guys coming HOME coz we LOVE YOU….xxxxx
Sounds like you guys are having a great time in NZ! x