Monday 24 – Wednesday 26 March 2025
After cleaning up and feeding the dogs, we departed
Dipton for Clyde, which took us through the dry and rocky Central Otago schist
country (that’s a type of metamorphic rock). Our accommodation was pictured as
a cabin around a lake. Not quiet true there but a good, one bed, self sufficient
cabin on a lifestyle block. Something was a bit fishy we felt when a) there was
no road sign or any other indication that the BnB was operating; b) Google said
it was permanently closed and c) they wanted a bank transfer or cash on
arrival. However, they were friendly. The cabin was clean and comfortable.
In the afternoon, we went to Monte Christo winery for
a tasting and enjoyed their Riesling and Pinot Noir. When asked where we were
staying (which was literally 200 metres down the road), their response was “Oh,
yes.” A similar response from their neighbours the next day when we adjourned
for coffee, was met with a confused stare. We reckon they had been shut down
due to neighbours complaints and were flying under the radar.
Tuesday
Today we went on a 53 km bicycle ride. Now, Flashy
reckons there are two types of bike riders. The first are the earnest types
that go up hills, think they own the road and can ride five abreast, wear ridiculous
lycra with pads on the bum that look like they shat themselves; and take over
coffee shops. Strangely, they never smile and look like they are in pain most
of the time. The second type, start out thinking bicycle riding is fun; don’t
usually wear lycra; start off waving, smiling and talking to all and sundry; and
after 5 kms wish they’d got an e-bike and or padded pants and or stayed home.
Luckily for us, the planner had chosen a drop off
point at the top of the hill; hired excellent e-bikes and chose a route that
was essentially all down hill. Flashy reluctantly agreed to go. He had little
sleep the night before, dreading the pain that surely would follow in the
morning.
Our e-bikes were excellent and ready for our fitting
on arrival at the depot. They have 10 gears and four battery assist settings – off,
eco, trail and boost. We were warned that if you leave it in boost, you’d
likely get maybe 20 kms. So Flashy has range anxiety already!
Our bus and trailer took five of us on an hour long
road trip to the starting point, 500 metres up at Oturehua. At the trail head,
we noticed that there was no lycra but the Kiwis were, of course, all in
shorts. It was cold. The track stony and the seats like razor blades. But it
sloped downwards. Grey skies gradually turned blue and God bless, there was no
wind.
We depart. Flashy in 'off' position. Must conserve that
battery. 30 k’s later and after innumerable photo stops, we stop at a little
French café in Omakau for lunch. We have descended about 300 metres and on one
occasion, Flashy kicked the beast into 'boost' and tried to crack 30 kms/h. He
thinks he did, but was too scared to look down at the speedo.
By now he’d had enough. His rear end was throbbing and
not with pleasure. Lady P’s knee was a bit twitchy too. The best bacon butty
ever and a can of IPA helped enough to face the 6 kms of up hill on the way to
Chatto Creek Pub, where Lady P promised he could have a beer and a bowl of
chips. The up hill section was a gentle
rise but taken in 'eco' and 'trail mode', which was an excellent thing to do.
Refreshed with said beer and chips, we tackled the
mainly flat 25 kms to Clyde. With batteries showing 75% remaining, both riders
cracked it into 'boost', hit top gear and raced into the depot at nearly 30 kph. Dangerous stuff, that. Nasty gravel rash if
you come off.
Returning to our cottage, we administered Gin
medicine, took a couple of Ibuprofen, had a hot shower and rubbed Voltaren Deep Heat
Original into ankles and knees. And yes, we did remember to carefully double
wash hands after said administrations and before touching more sensitive body
parts.
Wednesday 26 March 2025
Waking up, the first thing to do is check the body’s
condition. Sore bum? Well, not as bad as last night. Pretty good in fact. Ankle
and knees? Seem to be working OK. General pain? Nothing more than usual. So, now
you can look on the bike ride through different eyes. “It was good, wasn’t it?”
says Flashy.
After a continental brekky – all part of the BnB
booking, and a coffee next door, we headed towards Alexandra and on to our
overnight at Roxburgh. First however, Lady P, ever the thoughtful wife, stopped
for Flashy to taste RuRu wines. A Dutch (they sure don’t change, do they?) lady
winemaker gradually warmed to our charms, gave us generous tastings of five
wines (most were good) and then informed us that the winery was once called “Shaky
Bridge.”
Lady P, having had Shaky Bridge wines with Jennifer
many years ago, at Luke Mangan’s Glass restaurant at the Sydney Hilton, was
particularly pleased to having discovered it. Then, to boot, we found the
actual Shaky Bridge itself in Alexandra.
The drive to Roxburgh was uneventful. A couple of pies,
from the supposedly famous Jimmy’s Pies of Roxburgh, were average but consumed
in the nice sunshine at our Motel for the night.
Any scallop pies yet?
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