75km today and much easier than yesterday. I had breakfast with Ange in Hanmer – so good to catch up and to have a slightly later start to the day. 35km to Culverden for carrot cake and coffee. A visit to the four square to find something to cook in a microwave then a nice pedal to Hurunui Hotel where I ate my lunch. The hotel is closed and for sale. The tables are still in the garden outside so good to take advantage of a nice table and break up todays ride a bit.

The country stay is superb so far. A good shower, a hairdryer!!!, lots of friendly animals, so far no humans…getting a bit sunburnt on the lounger on the veranda. Census night so I suspect a human will make contact at some point this evening.