Geraldene 28 Feb

28 Feb
The day dawned cold and misty with a few spots of rain. My friendly Dutchman neighbour in the tentsite along from me was ever helpful with suggestions about routes and placed to visit.  My first task was to get my gears sorted.  I rode in to Timaru (I hadn't realised what a gully town/city it really was until I had to bike round it and through it) and found a bike shop open.  They fixed the problem quickly and for free - the bell I put on was imterfering with gears. It didn't before but must have moved.  Its a lot better now. So I packed up and made to set off.  Had another long talk with camp manager about bikes and routes so it was 11.30 before I was on my way.  Lots of hills on the way out. But once out of town, the road was flat,  the strongish southerly was behind me and I made good time to Temuka where I stopped to buy bananas. I mislaid my wallet there and it was a scary moment.  If I lost it for good or it got stolen it would be very tricky.  I am working on a contingency plan. I decided to the country road thing and stopped at a country campground called The Farmyard - delightful. The only problem is the nearest beer for sale is 5km by pushbike- probably a good thing in the long run.