Paroa to Ross

Toady we rode the West Coast "Wilderness Trail" from Paroa to Ross. A very sheltered trail South along the coast until we swung inland and on in to Kumara. Unfortunately we were too early for any Cafe and so we pushed on the trail which gently rises through the area largely managed by TrustPower. We know that coz the water coursesm resevoirs  and dams we rode past had many "No swiming, drowning danger". The signs were a plenty however in all bit a couple of pbvious places it would be hard to imagine anyone wishing to swim where the signs were.

There was plenty of deer sign on the trail in to Kumar and not a lot beyond.

The trail rises gently to 317 meters before a steady and gradual descent which takes you past the infamous "Cowbooys' Paradise". Today was the first day when I didn't have surplus tucker on board and as much as I was not keen to support the venture I thought needs would mean I had to. However when we rolled in and saw the closed sign things were not looking good. The the proprietor appeared from his cleaning duties that because of that ****** Jacinda, running the country, he has no staff, people booked in and he can't be doing everything!

I had my sights set on a Subway roll and had an enjoyable 6  inch at Hokitika before leaving there at 4:00 PM for the run through to Ross, I stuck to the Highway for this section and cleaned up the 24 km's in about an hour,

Our lodgings for the night is the Empire Hotel Backpacking place and we got Dinner, bed and breakfast all for $50! A good Smorgasboard with Roasts and Pavlova desert, No complaints at all.