Day One - ship cove to punga cove resort

The Route ahead

Up at 5am to get to the airport for flight to

Blenheim.. still a bit nervous about getting all the box boxes onto the small plane.. will find out our fate soon enough.

I've just done a weigh in and now eating breakfast. Not 89.6kg not 96.8kg.

I lost 16kg walking the south island. I wonder how much I will lose cycling it?

Car of roof and off to aiport.

Won't start riding until about 10am. Cycling from Blenheim to Picton to catch the 1:30pm ferry to ship cove for the start of the queen charlotte section on the ride.

It's a beautiful day to fly

TEAM JIM sporting our Goodr sunglasses... great range of colours and styles... should be sponsor :) Thanks James for Xmas pressies.

Built the bikes at the airport and off to Picton.  I was a little stressed worried about making the ferry on time... I sped off and at one point my heart rate was spiking while riding flat road...not a great start but it did setting once Picton was in my sights.. one last wee hill and arrived in town. 

Time to pick up some gas and lunch before getting on the boat.

Arrive in ship cove just as the sun appeared what a beautiful spot. No wonder captain cook returned 4 times after his first encounter. 

James and Amanda had a swim, I did not. Too concerned about salt water cafing.

Then off for the first of 2 climbs.. with some views along the way that almost made it worth the grind.

It was a rough track for gravel biking but we made it to punga cove, a little late for dinner booking. The staff were very helpful and we had a great meal, couple of Gins and booked in for the night. Shower and spa followed by bed.

Day one was an epic start to the trip. Can't wait for tomorrow.