“Oh no you got to be kidding me, this is not happening please not now – oh you feckin bastard” I’m shout at the top of my voice and the sheep in the field beside me are looking at me with an expression of ‘ooh another one of those lycra wearing idiots trying to cycle the country, serves him right!’ I’m slumped on the side of Highway 79, 20km’s out of a town called Geraldine, time to stick my thumb out and try to hitch a lift with a bike and bags – this is not going to be easy, I could be here for some time I think!! 10 minutes pass and then hope could this be happening a people carrier is slowing down and has an indicator on – I could be saved…..
Before the catastrophe happened I was whistling along the plains of Canterbury a place that could send you slightly mad, the road which will be imprinted in my mind for a long time, it’s arrow straight to the left I have a vast open fields been prepared to lay the seasons produce to my right its the same there is no shelter from the elements but I’m blessed not a breath of wind and the sun is on my back. This view lasts 15km’s but there’s a slight rise in the road so my speed is capped at 20km’s its not fast but I’m not on my carbon beauty so for about an hour the contour on the road remains the same – luckily I’m already slightly mad because if I wasn’t I would be by the time this ended!. Finally a turn is in the distance oh lets see whats ahead then… Yip another road this time it’s about 11km’s long, ‘holy shit what am I doing – I must be mad’ I say out loud to myself and a voice behind me agrees…… but I’m elated this is just amazing!
I crack 150km’s or so and make it to a town called Methven pulling in tired but happy today was the tough one but I’m here – now typical forward plan and find a place to stay – oh cock! How a hostel in the middle of nowhere can be sold out I don’t know but its locked up and full! I call into a B&B/artist who is not expecting anyone but opens her house up with a smile, the promise of a warm shower large beds and will even wash my cycling clothes – done! I fond out that Sally is an artist who is enjoying a sedate pace of life, I’m shocked to learn later she is nearly 70 – the water is good for you in the place, never met someone with boundless energy and chat! The next day with my belly full of a very healthy and hearty feast I say my good byes hope on Beyonce and start the next day – bit easier only 90km’s today along more arrow straight roads.
I end up in Geraldine by late afternoon and call into the hostel – yip full! WTF is this, I find out that they are filming the Hobbit so everywhere is been booked out, I crash in a camping lodge expensive but it will do – my knees are feeling it today. I end up staying in Geraldine for another day and oh boy what a town of delights it is too…..
So I’ve seen the world’s largest knitted jumper – totally useless to everyone unless you know the giant in Jack n’ the bean stalk and he’s feeling the chill! The same chap is the creator of a 110 foot medieval mosaic, my Da would love it – its all about 1066, kings fighting and counties invading each other, he created a background by breaking off 1,500,000 pieces of small metal (1x2mm) and attaching them to masking tape. It took two years just to create the backdrop for this re-creation.
He then started painting the tiny bits of metal, 8 colors – consistent with the
original tapestry were painted one at a time. Silver took a year to
finish. Gold took 2 years. All together, he spent 20 years completing this project – which is a copy!! Now don’t get me wrong its impressive but christ on a crutch 20 years… mad totally mad!
That evening I take to the local cinema, when I go inside the downstairs is full of sofa’s and armchairs with blankets if you get cold – they even have a gallery level, 90% of the films are on 35mm and yes they have the old curtain which draws back and a glitter ball when the trailers are just about to start! It just cool as, later I go to the projector room and look at how all the film is stitched together and see the original projectors – just a shame that they are going to phase out 35mm! Yes 3D and super surround sound is cool but this is retro cool and needs to stay.
The next day I’m up and out the door by 09:00 sun’s got his hat on and its going to be a good day! Well that’s what I thought before I could actually feel something beneath my knee cap give way….. According to my ‘personal physio – support via email, all round super star, great cyclist and fabulous girl’ aka Nicola I’ve damaged my Patellofemeral, instructed to rest and eat ibuprofen for few days I should be all good. (Nic I owe you a surprise – thank you!) So I’ve rested up in Queenstown – an oxymoron as QT is one big party, so best I make the most of it!
How did I get here well Steve the Taxi is my savor and our road trip get’s a post on its own!!
the bean hunter 