The weather forecast was for a cloudy and fairly wet day so we started with a leisurely breakfast featuring the now legendary camper van scrambled eggs on toasted cheese and bacon rolls - a gourmet feast prepared by the LLW.
We discussed the cricket and agreed that subject was almost worse that Brexit. Ray is very annoyed, not just at the England batting (totally abysmal) and bowling performance (slightly less abysmal) but also at the numerous journalists that had written off the West Indies before the series had started. Writing comments such as "are the West Indies fit to play England" was bound to stir up fervour amongst the Windies players and rightly so.
Passing on to brighter subjects - the weather! Dark clouds had passed and whilst still a bit grey, it was clearly good cycling weather. The LLW put her foot down over the subject of hills and we took the camper van down to the lakeside and parked about 1 1/2 miles outside of the town.
Wanaka is strangely quiet today which is surprising since it is a Saturday and we are still in the school summer holidays. However, we cam to the conclusion that most schools are back next weeks so families are getting ready for the start of term. Also the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, ranges from January 21st to February 20th and in 2019 is February 5th. Being based upon the Lunar calendar when you try to relate the Chines New Year to the western solar (Gregorian) calendar the dates are all over the place.
We have noticed a huge reduction in Chinese visitors to NZ and have now concluded that the Chinese New Year is to blame. Last time when we were in Wanaka and Queenstown (Jan 18) it occurred when we were here and the vast majority of visitors were Chinese. At present hardly any.
A fair few miles were completed before it was coffee time and we managed to find a free table (a rarity in this coffee mad town) and enjoyed watching the world go by along the lakeside. The Chinese may be in short supply but just about every other nationality is represented in central Otago.
After coffee we cycled up to Cinema Paradiso to confirm, and pay for, our booking for tonight screening of Mary Queen of Scots. All sorted and then the next stop was a little wine tasting at Rippon Vineyards.
Our reader may recall that this was the venue for Dave & Jess's wedding in 2012 and must have the best view of any vineyard in the world! We bought a couple of bottles and spent some time enjoying the view and the intense perfume of Lavender which is planted right outside the cellar door.
Back to the camp site to finish off some admin and for the LLW to fend off her men for a while before we have supper and head off to the cinema.
It may not be the sunniest day but the view from our camper van is stunning. The second photo below should the building at Rippon Vineyards which houses the cellar door and function rooms
We discussed the cricket and agreed that subject was almost worse that Brexit. Ray is very annoyed, not just at the England batting (totally abysmal) and bowling performance (slightly less abysmal) but also at the numerous journalists that had written off the West Indies before the series had started. Writing comments such as "are the West Indies fit to play England" was bound to stir up fervour amongst the Windies players and rightly so.
Passing on to brighter subjects - the weather! Dark clouds had passed and whilst still a bit grey, it was clearly good cycling weather. The LLW put her foot down over the subject of hills and we took the camper van down to the lakeside and parked about 1 1/2 miles outside of the town.
Wanaka is strangely quiet today which is surprising since it is a Saturday and we are still in the school summer holidays. However, we cam to the conclusion that most schools are back next weeks so families are getting ready for the start of term. Also the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, ranges from January 21st to February 20th and in 2019 is February 5th. Being based upon the Lunar calendar when you try to relate the Chines New Year to the western solar (Gregorian) calendar the dates are all over the place.
We have noticed a huge reduction in Chinese visitors to NZ and have now concluded that the Chinese New Year is to blame. Last time when we were in Wanaka and Queenstown (Jan 18) it occurred when we were here and the vast majority of visitors were Chinese. At present hardly any.
A fair few miles were completed before it was coffee time and we managed to find a free table (a rarity in this coffee mad town) and enjoyed watching the world go by along the lakeside. The Chinese may be in short supply but just about every other nationality is represented in central Otago.
After coffee we cycled up to Cinema Paradiso to confirm, and pay for, our booking for tonight screening of Mary Queen of Scots. All sorted and then the next stop was a little wine tasting at Rippon Vineyards.
Our reader may recall that this was the venue for Dave & Jess's wedding in 2012 and must have the best view of any vineyard in the world! We bought a couple of bottles and spent some time enjoying the view and the intense perfume of Lavender which is planted right outside the cellar door.
Back to the camp site to finish off some admin and for the LLW to fend off her men for a while before we have supper and head off to the cinema.
It may not be the sunniest day but the view from our camper van is stunning. The second photo below should the building at Rippon Vineyards which houses the cellar door and function rooms
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