For my next charity cycling challenge I am returning to the Southern Hemisphere to circumnavigate New Zealand’s South Island.

Leaving Christchurch in a Southerly direction transits the spectacular Pacific coastal vistas via Timaru and Dunedin, bringing me to Bluff and the iconic mountainous Fiordland with its beautiful and world famous Milford Sound. (Involving a 75 mile dead end ride from Te Anau!)

The Southern Alps will direct me to Queenstown which is renowned for adventure sports, many of which originated here. From there ( with arduous climbs) I should eventually reappear on the Western coast heading North for the various towns and Glaciers. It’s many years since I was last in New Zealand so their inevitable retreat should be obvious!

Continuing North to Picton and Blenheim will bring further scenic change as I turn for the final leg to Christchurch some 24 days after the first pedal stroke.

My chosen charity, after your extremely generous support last year, is again Guide Dogs. This time, in memory of Hattie and Grace our beloved retired Guide dogs who have now crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but will remain forever in our hearts. (Photo’s heading this page).

Almost two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that has a significant impact on their daily lives. Of those, around 180,000 rarely leave their homes alone and lead lonely, isolated lives.

Guide Dogs works for a world where people with sight loss are never left out of life, for a world where being blind or partially sighted is not what defines you. A world with enough support to make the challenges of sight loss no barrier to fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Thank you in anticipation of your continued support and apologies to those fatigued by my fundraising.

As usual, a daily blog will be available on Facebook, with updates also on this JustGiving page by popular demand!!