Free Wheelin - February 2001

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Thursday 8th February After 10 days chilling out in Christchurch, it was time for me to be on the move again. At 6:30am I bundled myself, bike and all into the car and Chris drove me to the train station. I decided to take the train back to Auckland as I was running out of time, I only had 6 more days in New Zealand. I boarded a very clean train, that was complete with an open viewing platform. The platform was a great idea, it allowed me to take pictures of the magnificent countryside as the train rolled along. As the train eased itself out of Christchurch, I began to feel guilty, I wished I had stayed with the bike. Sitting on the train all the way up to Pickton, through a parched and barren landscape, almost desert like was no fun at all. I had read in the guide books and tourist brochures that the east coast from Kaikoura, through Blenheim to picton was a place not to be missed. Sitting in the train done it no justice, the scene looked ragged and worn. Kaikoura, a famous place for whale watchers looked 'from the train' nothing more than a tired old town catering only for the tourist, it didn't seem to have a personality of it's own. The train rumbled on and wound it's way through the 'Seaward Kiakoura Ranges' and into the Marlborough Region. Twisting its way through the ranges, which only a few weeks ago were ablaze, 600 hectares of native bushland destroyed by fire in a couple of days. The air still reeked of smoke as I looked out over the charred remains of what was only recently, the feeding ground for thousands of sheep and other wildlife. Blenheim, the largest town in the Marlborough Region with a population of around 26,000, is also the gateway to New Zealand's south island wine making region. Passing regimental rows of lush green vines and towering stainless steal wine silos, made me want to get off the train. I wanted to join the mass of tourists enjoying themselves in the sun, sampling the local produce. I hadn't been on the bike for ten days, my knees still ached just getting up from my seat. I felt slow and lethargic. The journey to Picton took 5 hours - the gentle rocking motion of the train sending me into a dreamy slumber. I arrived in Picton with only a few minutes to spare before boarding the ferry to Wellington. As with the outward journey, the ferry trip through the Queen Charlotte Sound was warm and sunny. The magnificent coves and secluded sandy beaches were being left behind. I was heading back to the windy city 'Wellington' and another long train ride to Auckland. This part of the journey went quite quick, the sun came down and I slept most of the way. My last week in New Zealand was spent in Auckland with Pete and Wendy. I met them while camping in Havelock, about 40km west of Picton. Top of Page Friday 9th February Auckland at 7am was quiet, my first stop, McDonalds for a coffee. I sat and planned my day. Waiting until just after 9am and called Pete who said he would pick me up later in the day. However, for now I had to find out where Albany was, I had a camera to pickup. I caught the ferry which took me across the Fitzroy Bay to Devonport, (NZ$8 return). From Devonport I had to cycle 25km to the Hanimex head office which was at the other side of Albany. The going seem quite heavy, I hadn't done any real cycling for a few weeks, it took me two hours to reach my destination . My contact on arrival was Rae Halet, he greeted me in the reception and took me to where I would pick up the camera. I was handed two things, first the camera in good working order, and a new lens. Secondly I was handed a bill for the work carried out. Well, I was not a happy chappie, "what's this for?". Rae explained to me that the repairs that they carried out were not covered by the warranty. Pardon!! He explained to me that the damage was caused by an impact such as one that you would get from dropping the camera. Eh, no... the camera has not been dropped, I have been VERY careful with the camera. 'Well, as far as we are concerned, the damage could only be caused by a sudden impact'. So, you are telling me that I am lying? I complained. The original receipt was for NZ$500. I said, "why didn't you mention that there would be a charge when I phoned" He couldn't answer. I told him I needed to speak to someone more senior. I was not happy when Rae returned on his own, his boss 'Glen' sent him back with a message. If he doesn't pay he will not get the camera... What!! is he too scared to come out and talk to me? I was getting angry. Rae, sheepishly went back in and brought Glen out. Glen, arrogantly said, "what's the problem?" As if he didn't know. I explained that I was not happy about getting charged anything for the repairs to an expensive camera that I had only owned for a few months. He replied shrugging his shoulders, if I didn't want to pay, they would put the old parts back into the camera. Now, that's customer service for you. I stared pacing, "No! I think a better idea would be for me to talk to someone that understands customer relations, someone who cares about the companies image". I was told that there was no one there more senior. I laughed, you mean that you are the only one here that I can speak to? Well then I would like a phone number of one of the directors. Eventually he contacted one of the directors 'Tim Steel' who was on his way back from a three hour lunch meeting. I said I would wait. About 45 minutes later I was escorted up to the board room where Tim was sitting waiting. Again I explained my story adding that I was not impressed by the attitude of his staff. He agreed that they may have been somewhat rude and that he would sort that out later. Then he proceeded to explain that he needed to come to some sort of arrangement with myself that allowed him to save face. I laughed, Oh the win win situation. Well before you start, I cannot and will not be paying anywhere near what you are asking. Anyway I couldn't afford it. To end the story, after a bit of to-ing and frowing we came to an agreement where I paid a much smaller amount, $150 which I still couldn't afford or want to pay. It was the only way I was going to get the camera back in working order. I arrived back in Auckland at 6pm, Pete and Wendy picked me up about half an hour later. I was then taken to a lovely Turkish restaurant then on an Auckland by night tour, while munching on an ice cream. Finally arriving at their house in Manurewa at about 10:30pm. Top of Page Saturday 10 - Tuesday 13th Febuary I spent the next few days chilling out in and around Auckland. The weather was good and the company was great. I would like to thank Pete, Wendy and all of their friends for making me feel welcome and alowing me to join them in their various activities. Wednesday 14th Febuary Up early all excited, nervous and aprehensive about my next challenge - Australia and the Nullarbor Plain. A vast empty desert stretching 2700km between Perth and Adelaide. I had already covered 4000km over the past four months, but this section had to be done in only one month. I had spent way over budget and had to tighten my belt until I could replenish my account. For this flight I wasn't putting the bike in a box, I decided to take the chance and push it to checkin. I held my breath as I aproached the desk. The girl smiled, asked for my passport and what the bike weighed. I was shocked, no looks of horror, no interogation. She just stuck a frigile sticker to the bike and called a porter to take it through the doors. The flight went well even though I was in the middle seat of the center isle, it must be the worst position on an aeroplane, especially considering I had a couple of pensioners snoozing on either side of me. Touch down was at 4:30 Australian time, in the distance you could see clouds of smoke as part of Perths south eastern native bushland was on fire. Welcome to Australia. I had another panic attack as I pushed the bike through customs. I was stopped and told to take it to quarantine. I had visions of the bike being impounded, just because there was a litttle bit of New Zealand dirt on the tyres. I nervously wheeled my stead over to the quarantine desk, the guy took a quick look and waved me on. It was great to wheel the bike out the exit doors, attach the panniers, straighten the handle bars, attach the peddals and cycle off. Within half an hour of getting through imigration, I was heading towards Perth city centre. Watch out for my Photo CD Volume 1 I didn't have a clue where I was heading except that it was towards the city some 20 km east of the airport. It was 7pm and dark by the time I reached the North Bridge area, a very trendy part of the city. Streets were bustling with city workers sitting at tables outside bistro's and bars on every street. It was a balmy evening and I was getting tired. The Aberdeen Lodge, an apt place for a Scotsman to lay his head. The room was basic, VERY basic and at $30 for the night, I was not impressed. However the sun had disapeared and I needed the room. I quickly dumped my gear had a quick change and headed out to join the throngs of people in the bars. It was St Valentines day, entertainment everywhere, street performers, live bands and allsorts. With couples walking along the wide streets holding hands and whispering to each other. The pubs and bars were full of groups and couples laughing and having fun. I was sipping my beer and suddenly felt alone and out of place. I felt I was gate crashing a huge private party for couples only. I finished my beer and headed back to the lodge and went to bed. Thursday 15th Febuary 6am, I've just finished watching the channel nine news. A 30yr old man had just been awarded $1 million for being given the strap at school 17yrs ago. He said that it caused him emotional problems which prevented him from holding down a job. I wonder if I should try that??? I walked into the city, heading through the main square, I watched a fight breakout between two Aboriginal couples who were already pissed. Top of Page Saturday 17th Febuary Up early, I wanted to get myself back into the cycling habit. It was raining so I didn't set off until 9:30. From Sharons house I turned down Morley Drive and onto Kinyup Road then turned right onto the coast road. The cycle track followed the coast for 30km of beautiful sandy beaches. It was quite warm but the beaches were empty. My map took me north of the city where there seemed to be an enormous amount of new building work going on. New houses being built everywhere all of different designs, sizes and make-up. But they were all being built on sand. I could just imagine them all sinking if and when a heavy rain came. Febuary 'The rest' The rest of my time in Perth was pretty un-eventful. I went out cycling around the city a few times, but mostly sat in working on the website. Perth is a very "NICE"city, very conservative and in my opinion pretty boreing. But then again, I didn't go out enough to experience it.

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