Cycle: 40km

Today was the last of our shorter days before we would run out of accommodation options and have to start knocking out some longer days.

After yet another lazy morning drinking coffee in the lovely Beaconstone Hostel we finally set off for the day.

Today made for a welcome change of scenery. After lots of mountains and coastal riding we turned inland and head up the Buller Gorge. This would set the scene for over 130km and it was really very beautiful.

Apart from those pesky sandflies this was a really good day's cycling. The general profile was slightly uphill with lots of little undulations that weren't too steep. We had loads of time so took it really easy and the previous two short days and lots of sleep seemed to finally be paying dividends - our legs were feeling good.

The gorge was in places very beautiful with steep limestone cliffs and large expanses of remarkably white stones exposed in the river bed. I think these were some kind of marble! The river was wide and flowing quite fast and would probably be fun to canoe down. At one point we passed through a section called Hawks Crag where the road was simply a channel carved out of the sheer limestone cliff! As we followed the river up-stream we ascended into some cloud, or perhaps the mist dropped onto us? Either way the views became more mystical and surreal.

We arrived at our the cafe and lodgings at Berlins nice and early. After a beer, panini and piece of cake we both felt pretty good. The short days seemed to be doing their job. We had the lodgings to ourselves and took full advantage by watching the TV for once and spreading ourselves out. Unfortunately the bed was terrible and the computer didn't work due to its dodgy wiring (nothing to do with me ;-) ).

We hadn't passed a shop all day so had to make do with pasta and a plain tomato sauce for dinner. Luckily we were passing through two towns the day after so could resupply ourselves then.