Saturday 14th Nov
Not a good nights sleep apart from being freezing cold all night there was also a lot of noise from traffic and helicopters. Got a late start to the day and did not feel like riding today the wind was still icy cold. Decided to spend the afternoon tasting wine and getting drunk so I booked up an afternoon tour, somewhat pricy but I had a good time met loads of people and was not drinking on my own and also I may have another contact for when I get to Australia. I also found out why there were helicopters flying around throughout the night. Apparently the vineyards fly them to force the warm air down when they think they are likely to get a frost so that also explains why I was so cold last night.  I got dropped off at a bar just down the road from the campsite and sampled a few ales and a pizza. Found out that they had a band on later so I decided I would come back for a couple more and check out the band. The band turned out to be pretty good. 

Sunday 15th Nov 
Weather was looking good although the forecast for the west coast was a bit iffy but I decided to make my way over towards Westport and check out the west coast. After about 60 miles it started getting cold and I decided to stop at the next petrol station which according to my sat nav was only a few miles away. At the petrol station there was a small group of trail riders and while filling up one of them came and introduced himself and asked if I was up for an adventure, he told me they would be heading off over a trail that was generally in the sam direction that I was heading and would be a little gnarly in places but that I should be alright. They had a mixed group of riders and bikes and it was getting bigger. [PHOTO_ID_L=petrol-stop.jpg] I got my self a bite to eat and a hot drink while we waited for the rest to arrive. Once we set off it was a few miles before we turned off on to the trail and it was a nice easy gravel road to start with and it was easy keeping up despite all the weight I was carrying. It soon got a bit harder and quite steep but nothing to scary. The luggage on the back was making it hard going especially as the rack is not really strong enough and the side panniers sway from side ti side and on a particularly rough bit I hit a series of rocks and could not hold the weight of bike and took a tumble. It was in an awkward place and I got some help getting the bike upright and we were soon off again. The decent was really really difficult as I was having trouble keeping the bike slow enough and at one point it took 3 of us to get the bike down a really steep gnarly bit I also kept bottoming out the bash plate on the rocks. I glad I did not attempt this trail alone. The last tricky section I had the ignition off using engine braking in first and the brakes and I still started to get brake fade on the rear. Once off the trail we rode to Clints for a cup of tea, turns out Clint is a bee farmer and lives on a farm in the middle of nowhere. What a great bunch of guys and what a great day, can't remember your names guys but thanks again for a great day.
Once back on the main road it was still cold with occasional showers but the road was fantastic the rain was not to bad and it made the riding interesting as you never knew what would be around the next corner. I pulled over for a rest and to take a couple of pics and got welcomed by Nigel and Deb a couple of Brits touring NZ in a camper van, They made me a cup of tea and a cheese and ham roll while we chatted in the sun. The rest of the ride was sunny all the way to Westport where I have pitched my tent for the night.