Progress through Mackenzie Country

It's been a day or two since I managed to blog, sorry about that.
Geraldine where I was heading to when I last blogged is a busy little town and the only place of any size I will come across until I reach Cromwell over in Otago. So had to top up with supplies.
The camp ground in Geraldine was very busy with other cyclists. Something which has been rare up to now. Town was busy too and I managed to get to the Car Museum before they closed up . An interesting collection and for the Triumph enthusiasts among you I will attach a photo of a rare one.
I made a really early start as the weather said it.would be better early. Had an amazing ride going well, through Fairlie , quick pit stop and on to the big hill called Burkes Pass. It is  a long drag and gets steeper towards the top. Absolutely amazing wild country and maybe not as bad as I had feared. However I was totally wasted when I got to the Pass at the top had done around 90 km, I must be getting fitter!  It was getting late with rain threatening so I  made a decision to stop and wild camp .
Good decision because the.next campground is a little way away and it soon started raining, in biblical fashion. It poured all night and didn't stop until 10 am . So late start today over to Tecapo where I had thought I would stop in and  enjoy the thermal hot pools. However weather was cool and cloudy and I decided to press on. My cyclists guide talked about a detour signposted as the Bullock Trail, nothing to do with Sam I  don't think!
Well this road which is tarmac follows the Hydro Canal from Lake Tekapo to Lake Pukaki. It's further than the main road but no traffic . It's private and marked by signs as closed to all traffic . My guide said ignore the signs, there are closed gates but you can wheel your bike around.
What a great ride , about 35 kms along the canal , flat, it curves found as it follows the contours and is slightly further.
When it reached Lake Pukaki, they have just built a cycle track around the lake shore. I tried it , it was unrideable on my loaded bike , gravel too loose. Maybe ok on a light mountain bike. Back to main road.
Mount Cook lookout was busy with Asian tour buses as usual, managed to get a friendly Kiwi lady to take a rare photo of.me and the bike !
Next town.where I am now is Twizel. It  was built when the Hydro scheme was put in in the 60 s at a guess and is struggling to survive by the look of what I've seen .
Nice camp ground , gone for the expensive option of a cabin, $12 more than a tent site, with a proper bed with sheets, no sleeping bag tonight.
NZ is experiencing some bad weather this week, Dunedin Airport wad closed for 2 hours today due to extreme rain and wind. Tonight the gales have reached here , blowing in the wrong direction of course.
See what tomorrow brings.
I will let you know next time. I am  heading now towards Omerama then the last big hill range , the Lindis Pass before dropping down into Cromwell in Otago. Wish me luck!