Cycle: 77km

After getting our Australian visas sorted (thanks for the details Tim!) we rolled out of town. The ride started with a really nice coastal section before turning inland. There were several hills of 100m, 400m and 200m respectively. Only the last hill had really steep sections so it was not too challenging a day really. We're feeling pretty fit now and after some easier days and full days off, we felt really good and strong.

We stopped twice in the day, firstly at Grahams Stream where the sandflies decided they'd have lunch too! I'm sure those guys are supposed to be on the West Coast! Next we indulged ourselves with cups of tea and chips at the Pelorus Cafe. This was fairly nice, a recommendation by our host in Motueka - definitely the place to go if you want some Pukeko souvenirs!

Havelock turned out to be a bit bigger than we were expecting. Our hostel, The Blue Moon seems to be undergoing some renovation, which it could do with to be fair! It's okay, but nothing special. You have to put money in little boxes to get things to work: electricity, showers etc. Poor Claire ran out of money and had to stick her head under a tap to rinse!

Havelock is "world" famous for its mussels and our travel agent in Nelson had recommended the Slip Inn as a good place to get some. We hadn't been out for dinner in a while so thought we'd treat ourselves. We were right too! The restaurant is undergoing some renovation too but we had great food and a nice bottle of Pinot Gris. There was a friendly cat (friendly when your food was served!) and a nice fire. We chatted to a couple of kiwis who were working on their boat (a Beneteau 35!) (Comment by Claire- they taught Scott the ever so useful phrase ' happy wife...happy life'!)