Made it to Christchurch

! Mar
Last night was a dreadful but I shouldn't have been surprised because it had been forecast. If I had been sensible I would have opted for a cabin and the night might have been easier.  However it gave the tent the weather test it hadn't had until now. It passed with near flying colours.  I was lucky I had pitched the tent with the 'door' facing north so that the southerly that blew up had the opening on the leeward side. Trips to the loo were relatively painless.
The tent passed because
a) it didn't blow over
b) it didn't leak
Sure things became damp-it happens with heavy rain.  But the tent did its job.
I wasn't in a hurry to get on the road this morning.  It was cold and gray with a strong southerly blowing.  When I mentioned I was going through to Christchurch, James offered to join me on the road for some company. It would have been churlish and rude to say no, so I didn't. James is a welsh stonemason who does a lot of travelling and cycling in particular.  He doesn't have as much because he doesn't have a tent, and bedding and things. He stays in backpackers so his budget is different as well.
I don't regret taking most of what I have and it hasn't slowed me down too much. I kept up with Tom and James most of the time and with the southerly pushing us along we kept a good pace. I drifted back a bit when the grade went up as age and weight took their toll.  After 90 minutes we finally found a coffee and had break.  It was enjoyable riding and I was pleased he had joined me.  The only issue is the width of the shoulder gets a bit narrow with the big trucks that charge through. I rode the rest solo and still kept a good pace.   I had a wee bit of trouble finding Idris St. When I arrived there was boomed here so I sat on my stool and typed up my blog.   The goal tomorrow is Cheviot.