Day 1 - We set off under cloudy skies but the forecast was for clearing weather and so it turned out to but, with a gusty, swirling wind that couldn't seem to make its mind up which way it wanted to blow. The West Coast Wilderness trail runs between Greymouth and Ross and is billed as "one of the country's smoothest and most accessible cycle trails". We decided to tackle each section of the trail "there and back" so that we'd experience two views and also allow us to return to the van each night. Excited to be here, the joy of cycling. The path wound along well formed gravel tracks initially through farmland but soon began to meander through native bush. A swing bridge over a deep gully was our first "awesome" moment. The deep ravine is a testament to the volume of water that gets dumped on the West Coast during the year, but today a local out walking her dog told us that the area was extremely dry. Birdsong in the bush - tuis, korimako, sparrows, blackbirds and the constant buzz and click of cicadas - a joy to stop and listen. The trail soon ran alongside the wild coastline. Crashing waves onto a stoney beach littered with driftwood (and not a plastic bottle in site). Drizzle arrived as we came out of the sheltered flax lined trail onto the quay at the mouth of the river Grey. We had lunch at the excellent Sevenpenny Cafe and after grabbing some supplies turned back. A headwind had developed but to counter that the clouds had lifted and the fierce sun of Aotearoa roasted us on the return ride. Always amazing to see things on a return journey that were missed the first time round, or to see them in a new light from a different direction. And so a 60km return ride ending up with a pint at The Theatre Hotel in Kumara and a relaxing evening after a hot shower at the Greenstone Retreat campsite. Bring on Day 2!