Just another day of beautiful scenery and wonderful people.

This is where the fruit is, that's for sure. All the way to Nelson you can't go for more than 500 m without passing a fruit stand. It's cheap too. Nelson really is beautiful. I did the big shopping trip and had a relaxing lunch and read. I thought the ride out of Nelson was going to be sort of flat (my map is not too detailed), but WRONG! I had to go over two 300 m hills, both of which were magnificent. The roads up were narrow and green and quiet and warm and forever winding back and forth. Ditto for the downhill. On the first downhill I passed a truck full of fruit pickers. They cheered and waved.

After 100 km I was getting frustrated and pulled over to look at my map when a farmer came up and told me of this great place to camp by the river. I was able to get sort of clean. Then I met a NZ couple who are taking a fishing holiday. They invited me in to their trailer for tea.

Big clouds are moving in. I hope the rain holds off for the morning at least. Just so I can get packed up and on the road.

I'm now getting excited to get off this island and move along. I want to see some beaches!

Training Diary Comments: Hot & windy. 6:45. I stopped half way for 1.5 hrs. Starting up both times was hell. It takes 10-20 km for my legs to feel OK.