Cycle: 65.7km

The Mueller Hut walk proved to have really taken it out of me. We got up late yet again! Things were pretty quiet, but there were some usual suspects loitering around the kitchen: Josua and Julian, Thomas and Dave and a friendly family with some kids.

Claire got chatting to Janine who turned out to be from Hebdon Bridge! In a fit of excitement Claire claimed that knew Sarah, Darryl, Noah and Ariel from Hebdon Bridge! We think that there might actually be another Sarah and Ariel in Hebden Bridge, but we had a fun 45 minutes getting to know Janine, Rob, Ava and Seth. We eventually realised our mistake when we started to explain our trip to Hebden Bridge and Hexham... Oops, my other cousin, Tim, Clare and Angus (and now Violet!) live in Hebden Bridge. They really do know Tim & Clare! And it all became much clearer!

After this bout of chatting we decided to emark on some more chatting. This time saying goodbye to Thomas and Dave who were off South. Just as we said goodbye Josua and Julian turned up and we did a bit more chatting before heading off together!

We cycled for the next 35km in a peloton like group. It was really good fun and we felt safe and could do a little chatting rather than shouting to the person in front or behind.

Julian head off to Lake Tekapo and Josua, Claire and I head off towards Twizel. We stopped for some serious pie and cake eating listening to the radio in the village square and bought supplies for a combined pasta and salad dinner. We were planning on spending two nights at Buscot Station and with the buying power of three we went all out on the healthy food stakes! There had been a definite lack of shops in Tekapo and Mount Cook and Glentanner, so we were all craving vitamins. Josua (with a daily budget of $30) had been travelling with Julian (with a budget of $20) who insisted on eating not a lot bar bread, so Josua was understandably a bit hungry!

The ride was downhill and fun to Buscott Station. The station was amazing. A working farm where the owner, Tony, had opened his doors. He'd also opened his lawn and at $10 a night this was a total bargain. Of the century. We met another cyclist, Joren (Josua spotted his Swiss tent!) and fed him too with all our pasta and salad! Buscott Station was the first place where we've felt like we were at home. Sam (our Santa Barbara host/friend) was happily flirting with Alison (from England); Tony was moaning about the state of New Zealand farming and politics ("John Key is the Key") and Scott, Claire, Josua and Joren were happily devouring more pasta than previously believed possible!

After completing the day as begun with lots of chatting, we went to bed feeling content and happy!