The LLW's early morning conference call happened without too much drama other than one of the participants enquiring about a noise in the background, which was probably Ray snoring. The motel served up a very good breakfast and soon we were on our way past the Gibbston Valley vineyards and through the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell. After crossing the Clutha River (which at this stage is essentially a leg of Lake Dunstan) we turned right towards Clyde which was our first port of call. Coffee beckoned and as usual this was accompanied by cakes but in the opinion of the management committee these were not the best of the trip by some margin! Clyde is really rather nice - a very small and time warped village which was important in the gold mining era and with a number of very attractive old (in NZ terms) buildings including a quite large Masonic Lodge!!
Next stop was Bike it Now which is the cycle hire shop in Clyde as we intended to cycle a small part of the Central Otago Rail Track. The chap at Bike it Now was very apologetic as all of his rental bikes were booked (I blame the Chinese again!). However he was very helpful in explaining the ride options and even recommended a competitor where we could get some bikes - amazing. The competitor, Trail Journeys was close by and the staff there were equally charming and soon we were on our way with two very good and well maintained bikes. The trail is along a disused railway track and is pretty flat so we raced along to Alexandra (or Alex for those in the know) which is named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark who became queen of the UK as the wife of Edward VII. Having been established as a gold mining town during the Central Otago Gold Rush in the 1860s. Alex is now a thriving wine town. We cycled down to the town but the LLW pronounced that there was little of real interest there (i.e. no shoe or handbag shops and no obvious coffee shop) so we decided to head straight back. What a difference! The wind was 25mph+ gusting to 35mph and it was a direct headwind. There was much huffing and puffing from the LLW and if you have ever cycled into a 35mph headwind then you will sympathise. However, your athletic heroine completed the trail without too many problems and it was only when Ray announced that he wanted to cycle around Clyde at the end that the LLW put her foot down and said that she was staying put. It was a lovely ride and we both felt quite exhilarated.
The WWN consulted the map and it was decided that we should head south east to Dunedin. As we rose out of Alex the scenery was wonderful with some fascinating geology and a lovely lake.
However, this was not to continue and after about 20 minutes driving we came to a road block and a very polite policeman informed us that there had been an accident and that this would take at least 2 hours to clear. He advised all vehicles to retrace out steps to Alex and take the more northerly route via Ranfurly to Palmerston which is north of Dunedin.
No problem and off we headed on the new route which I have to say was one of the best roads I have every driven on. The scenery was terrific but that seems to be a given in this country, the surface was excellent, the road was wide and the bends were smooth. It was a very fast road and with no real need for navigation as there were few turn offs. This was just as well since the WWN decided to become the snoring navigator and Ray was left to his own devices. We (that is the management committee) have decided to hold a referendum about whether the snoring navigator or the fully awake navigator is the better. It promises to be a very closely run race.
The LLW spotted Red Hot Pokers and Dierama lining the access road to the boulders so we needed to stop for a photo call!
Another 20 minutes and we were in Oamaru and quickly found the Oamaru Motor Lodge where the lady at reception was incredibly helpful and we are delighted with our very well appointed room. She also recommended a good pizza restaurant at Scotts Brewery down by the waterfront and in the old town. This proved excellent and we enjoyed a pizza and some Pinot Gris in the warm evening sunshine.
Now exhausted so thats my lot for today.
Next stop was Bike it Now which is the cycle hire shop in Clyde as we intended to cycle a small part of the Central Otago Rail Track. The chap at Bike it Now was very apologetic as all of his rental bikes were booked (I blame the Chinese again!). However he was very helpful in explaining the ride options and even recommended a competitor where we could get some bikes - amazing. The competitor, Trail Journeys was close by and the staff there were equally charming and soon we were on our way with two very good and well maintained bikes. The trail is along a disused railway track and is pretty flat so we raced along to Alexandra (or Alex for those in the know) which is named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark who became queen of the UK as the wife of Edward VII. Having been established as a gold mining town during the Central Otago Gold Rush in the 1860s. Alex is now a thriving wine town. We cycled down to the town but the LLW pronounced that there was little of real interest there (i.e. no shoe or handbag shops and no obvious coffee shop) so we decided to head straight back. What a difference! The wind was 25mph+ gusting to 35mph and it was a direct headwind. There was much huffing and puffing from the LLW and if you have ever cycled into a 35mph headwind then you will sympathise. However, your athletic heroine completed the trail without too many problems and it was only when Ray announced that he wanted to cycle around Clyde at the end that the LLW put her foot down and said that she was staying put. It was a lovely ride and we both felt quite exhilarated.
The WWN consulted the map and it was decided that we should head south east to Dunedin. As we rose out of Alex the scenery was wonderful with some fascinating geology and a lovely lake.
No problem and off we headed on the new route which I have to say was one of the best roads I have every driven on. The scenery was terrific but that seems to be a given in this country, the surface was excellent, the road was wide and the bends were smooth. It was a very fast road and with no real need for navigation as there were few turn offs. This was just as well since the WWN decided to become the snoring navigator and Ray was left to his own devices. We (that is the management committee) have decided to hold a referendum about whether the snoring navigator or the fully awake navigator is the better. It promises to be a very closely run race.
The LLW did wake up by the time we reached Ranfurly and it was decreed that a coffee stop was required. The coffee was fine but cakes had sold out and Ranfurly does not have a great deal to recommend it so we moved on. Palmerston, near the east coast was reached fairly quickly and we quickly came to the decision that this was not the right place to be graced by our presence overnight. A lay by conference ensued and we unanimously agreed to head to Oamaru where we were booked to stay on Thursday night (please do keep up!). The motel said they had a room available for tonight as well so we headed north stopping only for 30 mins or so to view the famous Moeraki Boulders. These are large spherical boulders lying along Koekohe Beach. They have been exhumed from the mudstone enclosing them and concentrated on the beach by coastal erosion.
The LLW spotted Red Hot Pokers and Dierama lining the access road to the boulders so we needed to stop for a photo call!
Another 20 minutes and we were in Oamaru and quickly found the Oamaru Motor Lodge where the lady at reception was incredibly helpful and we are delighted with our very well appointed room. She also recommended a good pizza restaurant at Scotts Brewery down by the waterfront and in the old town. This proved excellent and we enjoyed a pizza and some Pinot Gris in the warm evening sunshine.
Now exhausted so thats my lot for today.
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