What a ride! Peketa to Hawkswood - 41kms

Got off to a 7.00am start and had a magic run following the east coast. Cliffs showed signs of rock fall. The Kaikoura quake had caused some serious falls. A few kms south of Peketa, the road closed each night and work was being done to stabilize the cliffs. Workers apparently abseiled down the cliff faces to attach steel nets to the rock. Retaining walls were also being built to prevent further damage by rock fall.
The railway line with its frequent tunnels runs alongside the highway.
The scenery is spectacular! Areas of coastline have been designated as Maritime Reserves.
There was little opportunity to stop to admire and photograph as we were always aware of the traffic behind us.

At Oaro the highway turned inland - and the hills began - and continued for 12 to 15km. We walked up what seemed endless hills - The Handalees - and were rewarded for our efforts with some lovely downhill runs.

This section of the trip is definitely not for the faint hearted! Big trucks and trailers, car transporters, campervans, cars and motor bikes race by, most coming from the Picton Ferry. It's State Highway 1, built for traffic not bikes! We often had to pull over as far as we could to let the traffic, especially the trucks, go by. 

We walked all the hills! When I say walked,  I mean we HAULED our bikes and trailers up all the hills! 
Around 1.00pm, the hills slowly petered out - and so had our energy!

We headed for the Hawkeswood Staging Post.
We discovered a farm offering cabins and camping. The original owner intended it as an outdoor venue for rock artists. It was an eclectic mix of log buildings, untidy sheds and farm clutter. 
                                                                     
No one was home so we rang Linda, the owner, who hurried back to meet us.
We took a cabin for the night and spent the rest of the afternoon doing our blogs and relaxing.

                                                                  Toilets and showers
                                                    Our cabin next to the Camp Kitchen
                                                       The lounge, TV and games room!
We later walked into the bush to discover a grassy clearing complete with a full sized stage!
We do find the quirkiest  of places!

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