Boxed

Flying from Auckland at 16 degrees to Dunedin's chillier 6 degrees... have I got enough warm clothes packed... The first drops of rain fell as I walked across the airport tarmac. By the time we were pushing our bikes on jolting airport trolleys out to our waiting shuttle, it was heavy enough for a coat. The rain persisted for our entire drive to Lawrence. Clouds hung low, making the day seem late, while the greens and greys swished blurrily together out the van's streaming windows. We chatted away about the weather, and whether they needed this rain, (No... they are still waiting for the last deluge to subside) Our driver was able to fill us in on the local transport options and arrangements between the various trails. It seems they work together to support each other, rather than poaching their neighbour's clients. He finished our ride with a tour of Lawrence's sights on our way to the campground. Arriving in pouring rain and asking for a campsite seemed ludicrous, but that was the plan, so that's what we did. Having paid, we then went off to find a dryish spot to unbox our bikes and reassemble them. The generous eaves of a toilet block gave us a little shelter while we emptied the bike boxes of not just bikes, but panniers, clothes, tools, food, plates and the myriad of 'necessities' we expected to need on this trip. Bikes assembled, gear 'packed', we headed back to the office to ask where she would like us to put our empty boxes- a problem for them to dispose of too, but we were able to put them in the skip, store our tents and bags in the 'dining room' and head off in the rain to find lunch, supplies and a spare tent peg or two.

Wet grey stone. 

Wet grey streets. 

Wet freshly showered flowers. 

 Fresh washed campsite.

 Lawrence provided all necessary services. Between showers we managed to eat at the local cafe, before it closed, buy 'new' tent pegs at the antique shop, get a 'passport' and maps for the Clutha and Roxbourg trails from the Info centre. The Four Square sorted us for our last few essentials and we retreated to the campground to pitch tents and cook dinner.

One last evening stroll around "town" admiring the Christmas decorations in the extended daylight hours gained by being this far south and so close to the summer solstice! Time to see how well we would sleep, how cosy our tents would be in the rain. Time for adventure!