For Your Eyes Only ... Followed by a Doubtful Mood

Friday, March 16th

I awoke this Friday in Manapouri to a mixed bag of weather. This is my first view of the morning at 07:49am, looking northwest .. AWAY from the rising sun. Pretty - but weird, huh?

So it's onto the bus to take the short ride west to Pearl Harbour wherein I ...

.. and my fellow passengers, embark aboard the first of today's two small cruising vessels; the initial one takes us across Lake Manapouri where we all disembark at West Arm.

We then travel underground by coach to see the Manpouri Power Station machine hall. It looks like something out of a James Bond movie, doesn't it?

A tunnel network leading to a huge hall all of which have been hewn out of solid rock ...

.. with seven giant power generating machines humming away beneath the stone floor

Then it's over Wilmot Pass, again by coach, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordland's most dense rainforest, where at Deep Cove we take passage on the second of today's vessels to cruise around Doubtful Sound for three-hour; taking in some dramatic scenery.

Our skipper provide a detailed commentary and point out highlights

At first view, looking at these pictures, it might appear disappointingly overcast. That it was, with rain and drizzle perhaps spoiling the day.

But not so - as whatever mood Doubtful Sound is in brings a new and different dimension for the visitor. It was a day full of shadows and mystery. The rain brought with it some spectacular waterfalls which otherwise, on a fine day, would not have been present









I'm glad I went to wet and moody Doubtful Sound on this particular Friday .. :o)

------------------------

Lake Manapouri stats:-

Area: 142 sq km - fifth largest lake in New Zealand
33 islands
Shoreline length: 170 km
Catchment: 1,388 sq km
Maximum depth: 444m - second deepest lake in New Zealand (Deepest is Lake Hauroko with max depth of 462m)
Natural mean height above sea level: 177.8m
Deepest part below sea level: 266m
Average annual rainfall at West Arm: 3280mm

No Place Like Home

Thursday, March 15th

Yesterday, Wed-14, John and I did manage an invigorating 300km (188 mile) afternoon's ride-out on the bikes in a broad easterly direction, with the turnaround point being the coastal city / large town of Oamaru. The weather conditions were cold, but with plenty of layers of cover-up clothing it was an enjoyable run that ended with a skirting of Lake Aviemore, which returned us to Otematata by around 6:45pm. I was, of course, following John's tail-light, as he knows these roads intimately. But I can indeed say that 'I kept up with the Joneses' .. no problem .. ;o)

But it is time to leave my good mates John and Pip, who have both been nothing less than magnificent with their altruistic support and companionship throughout my endeavours to tour New Zealand on two wheels. Friends like these are rare in a lifetime.

I do hope John can 'figuratively' join me during my furthet travel adventures, albeit from thousands of miles away; and especially throughout the course of my Merrycan trip this [northern hemisphere] summer. Should be okay, as distance has hitherto never proved a barrier between us, even going way back as far as last September '06, when we first started communicating.

One more time: Thanks again, to John & Pip .. ;o) :o)

So by 10:30am I leave Otematata and immediately turn west onto SH83 where I head back towards the mountains and the nearby Alpine Lewis Pass, which will lead me to today's ultimate destination of Fiordland in the far southwest region of South Island.

The mountains still carry the remnants of the last couple of day's bad weather on their caps; the oncoming views are indeed a spectacle to behold





After negotiating the Lewis Pass, I fill-up with a drop of the good stuff - BP's unleaded 98 octane - at Cromwell Township, before running down Kawarau Gorge ...

.. and up the other side; after which a vicious wind picks-up that gives me more than little to think about as the Trannie and I are blasted around the road.

Despite the battle against the wind, and after a bite to eat and a couple of phone calls later in Frankton, Nr Queenstown, I finish my day's journey at around 5:00pm in the little lakeside town of Manapouri. And find all I need ...

.. including cover from the elements for my little steed; all-in at just NZD $40 (£14.38) per night. So I shall stay here in Manapouri for the next two nights that will include the whole of tomorrow, Friday, 16th.

Then the wind picks-up to a strong to severe gale force hoolie. I want the warm sunshine back please! And I'm left wondering - what weather conditions tomorrow will bring? as I drift off to sleep.

My progress during the second tour around South Island, thus far