Jan 19th

Note Cook Strait is only 14 miles at its narrowist.
Last night wandered around Blenheim before having a delicious Chinese meal. The NZ know how to eat and we have been impressed with the choice of places to eat, even in quite small towns. They do tend to close fairly early eg at 9pm but that is certainly late enough  for us. In the middle of Blenheim is Seymour Square gifted to the town 150 years ago.The main feature is a War Memorial clock tower commemorating the dead of World Wars 1 and 2, Korea, Malaysia, Borneo. Burma, South Vietnam and as an apparent after-thought Japan 1946 - 1948; we can only assume that NZ took part in a peacekeeping operation in Japan after the war and soldiers died there of accidents or natural causes. The influence of the mother country still apparent with a bench dedicated to Princesss Diana 'our English rose'!
Had a leisurely start as only 28 miles[in fact it was 35!], so went to a greasy-spoon cafe and Jeff had 3 obscene- looking sausages and eggs and Linda had a more modest bacon sandwich. Quite delicious but not very wise as spent the next 3 hours burping merrily. Wind today either easterly or westerly but not against us. Parts very hilly - we crossed the Welds Pass which was long and steep. Cycled between fields of vines - Mount Riley, Riverland and many other brands. Stopped beside the Awatere River and watched 3 Black Swans - smaller than the British Mute Swan.
In the distance for the whole of today's ride we could see the Blue Mountain[2051m], the top snow-covered and as the light changed so the mountain changed, sometimes blue and sometimes black; it was like a sinister presence always with us in the background. Finally arrived at Ward, population 200 with 2 eateries thankfully one where we stayed at the East Coast Inn. Sat outside our room and enjoyed the sunshine [about 30c]. We had a great meal and enjoyed watching the locals enjoy their Tui beer - not for them poncy bottles they had it out of the tap in jugs!