Summer?

The ride from Te Anau to Mavora Lakes started well with a tail wind. Unfortunately the road turned and the wind didn't and we ended up doing the last 40km or more in gusting head/side winds. This was not helped by the fact we were on a gravel road with lots of loose gravel. I was feeling a bit stiff and achey after riding pushing along into the wind for some time so stopped and suggested a break. "Yes!" was Julie's very relieved sounding answer...

We set up the tents beside South Mavora Lake in the DOC camping site. It rained on and off so we all sat in my two-man tent and drank tea; and soup; then finally cooked dinner. Finally things cleared by 9pm and we went for a bike ride to North Mavora lake and enjoyed some of the mirroring of the mountains in the lake.

The next day we rode along more gravel (51km) to Walter Peak Station. Fortunately the wind had changed back to a southerly so it was magical easy riding. Even when the rain started it was on our backs and not our faces so it wasn't a big deal. We had a picnic outside a cute stone cottage - Erin was peeping in the windows and felt sorry for a trapped bird so climbed in a window and rescued it. We arrived in remote Walter Peak Station to a hubbub of people - the Earnslaw had just arrived and dropped 136 tourists off for a 2 hour visit. I happily joined in for the free tea/coffee included in their tour, then watched the sheep shearing demonstration (NZ wool is getting only $2 a kilo). The Earnslaw trip to Queenstown was great - the water is an unbelievable blue-green.

In the evening we went to Speight's Ale house for dinner; then Erin's favourite chocolateria, Patagonia. I had a hot chocolate and admired the new snow outside on the hills. Snow!! In January!! So glad we weren't tenting.

Our next plan is to bike to Arrowtown then onwards to Central Otago and the Rail Trail.

We're feeling pretty invincible at present; having fought the steep Dunedin and Catlin hills; braved the Southland gusty winds; survived Homer Tunnel and the freezing but exhilarating descent into Milford; and gravel roads with the added excitement of gusting side winds - I think we cope with just about anything from this point!