The OldPharts many months ago booked the “Alps to Ocean” cycle tour with Tuatara Tours. This is a 300km cycle ride from Lake Tekapo to Oamaru. Done over five days, on e-bikes, the tour company provides food and accommodation. Needless to say, the adventurers have been doing their preparation, and are making their way to Christchurch, where the tour begins.
Rather than flying direct to Christchurch, they fly to Nelson, then three nights in nearby Mapua. A great chance to catch up with local residents Cameron and Maria. The former is an old school friend of Blair’s and the two couples have had many ski holidays together.
After a very pleasant barbecue dinner and catch up at Cameron and Maria’s home in Tasman Village, the next day the troops decide on a cycling excursion.
After breakfast and coffee at Alberta’s (superb), Cameron, Sue and Blair catch the Mapua Wharf ferry across to Rabbit Island. A really good bike ride, almost out to Richmond and back.
That evening, a beer and catch up at the Golden Bear brewery with Cameron, Maria, old school mate Doug Hall and his partner Mariette. Then fish and chips from the Smokehouse.
The next morning, after breakfast again at Alberta’s, we drove into Nelson and visited some art galleries. Sue splashed out from a local artist, and we then went to the Suter and lunch.
For a final evening, it is over to Cameron and Maria’s and home made pizzas via their portable Ooni pizza oven. Delicious!
As per usual, a really enjoyable stay in Mapua. Our accommodation at Terra Nostra is perfect, and there is so much to see and do in the area.
We load up the rental car, and drive to Hanmer Springs.