This morning I was topping off my tires and broke the rear valve stem - my first [and ONLY thankyouverymuch] flat.

I stopped at a viewpoint and saw Mt. Cook for the first time. Wow! It's a real mountain; all jagged and bare and covered in snow.

Mt. Hercules is FUN. Going south it's a gradual climb and then it's down, down, down switchbacks. The descent was longer than the ascent.

I'm in this town which is just a bend in the highway, very small, very boring. I think I should possibly have gone on to the glaciers... It's also threatening rain. I hope it waits just one more day before it does; all my stuff is out in the open. [Usually there was some roof/hall/awning, etc. for me to at least stick my bicycle under.]

Training Diary Comments: Mild temp & windy. Started out feeling very fresh and although I couldn't sit down very long, i did OK to the end.

giant Matai	base of tree
Martin & Matai	more Martin & Matai
Wataroa