I enjoyed presenting my Tour Aotearoa journey to residents and guests at The Helier last week - a venue with sumptuous facilities and surroundings. Olivier Lacoua, The GM at The Helier arranged 'the wine room' as the venue and provided an excellent morning tea. Many thanks Olivier - we all appreciated your hosting.
Kind regards
Dennis
Hello everyone
To let you know that this year Annabelles Kitchen restaurant in St Heliers is holding their annual charity auction dinner to raise funds for Parkinsons NZ and the Neurological Foundation (for research in Parkinson's disease). Full details on the dinner and some exciting auction items can be found on this link: https://www.annabelleskitchen.co.nz/food-box-1 or go to www.annabelleskitchen,co,nz and clic on' Events' to book your table.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Kind regards
Denbike Dennis
Many thanks once again for all the people who have supported my journey, both with encouragement and through donations to Parkinson's NZ.
I have now been asked to tell the story of my bike ride from Cape Reinga to Bluff by a number of people and organisations and have put together a 30-40min presentation. Interestingly, the first person to ask for my story to be told was my 5yr old granddaughter who wanted me to come to her class as her 'News Item' - and I did entertain the junior school - a fun encounter!
I have now made presentations to the Rotary Clubs of Remuera and Auckland East as well as entertaining residents and guests at The Helier. A talk to the Alpine Sports Club is next up, and a couple of other engagements are in the planning.
So the bike ride lives on, and people continue to donate which is most gratifying and rewarding.
Best regards to you all
Dennis ("Denbike")
At 9:30am this morning I finished the Tour Aotearoa at Stirling Point, Bluff. What an incredible journey it has been: tough days & easy days, magnificent landscapes, biker camaraderie, friendly well-wishers and of course, all the people online who have supported me with encouragement and who have donated to Parkinson's NZ so willingly. As a Rotary member of Rotary Club Auckland East, I also want to thank Rotarians who setup a separate donation appeal which is similar in amount to the Givealittle appeal. Thank you everyone: thank you for your generosity. By supporting my ride you have made a meaningful difference to the lives of others. Kind regards to all, Dennis.
After the cold and wet ride through Haast past (with a snow dusting on the mountains), it has been great to enjoy perfect weather into Queenstown. The views from the top of the Crown Range were epic. Tomorrow I'll be taking the Ernslaw to Walter Peak Station and biking the Eyre Mountains trail to Mossburn. The plan is to be at Stirling Point, Bluff, midday Wednesday. Many thanks once again to all the people who have supported me with kind comments and donations to Parkinson's NZ
Fortunately I missed the recent weather slam at the top part of the Sth Island, but still encountered torrential hail, sunshine, cold, rain and cloud all in one day as I rode from Hokitika to Franz Joseph and onto Fox Glacier. After 417 kms in 4 days, I'm having a 'rest day' in Fox. Fortunately the sun is out and I managed to see Fox Glacier (from afar). Big ride to Haast tomorrow 125kms, then tackle the Haast Pass to Makarora the next day. Looks like another 2-3 pies (at least) per day to fuel the body! All well. Cheers Dennis
It is great to hear how you are getting on. What an amazing experience you are having. We are so glad everything is going smoothly for you. Enjoy the ride through the Haast Pass! Best wishes for the rest of your journey,
Grant and Catherine
Tonight I am staying at the 'Formally the Blackball Hilton Hotel' in Blackball en route to Greymouth. I arrived in Picton last Sunday after a smooth Cook Strait crossing. The weather has been perfect and scenery stunning. Biking narrow, little-used, back- country 'roads' through beech forest has been a special highlight.
Many thanks once again for your support and donations to Parkinsons NZ. When riding 5-7 hrs per day, it hasn't given me time to thank you all personally - but be assured I will do, after I reach Bluff.
Kind regards to all
Dennis
It's Wellington tomorrow- almost half way. It has been an extraordinary fillfilling ride: great camaraderie between riders, the kindness of strangers, wonderful hospitality from owners of lodges, motels & holiday parks, amazing weather and the breath & beauty of NZ landscape - simply breath-taking at times. Yes, some days have been tough (so many hills!), but the rewards are many. I'm feeling good fof thd second half - the Sth Island. Many thanks to all those generous people who have kindly donated to Parkinson's NZ. It means a lot to me: and my biking mate (with Parkinsons) is deeply moved by your support. Thank you.
