Coffee, Camping and Cycle touring -Otago

 After stocking up on the most expensive chocolate bars in Oturehua...$3:50 each at Gilchrists store.. We set out into the rain for Ranfurly. With weather cold and wet we didn't fancy road riding into and out of Naseby, so we arranged a shuttle to pick us up and return us to Ranfurly. The Red Barn at Wedderburn supplied us with hot drinks and an informative video. I asked the owner how the family swimming pool was working out... they had just built it last time I was here and I just can't imagine weather in which it could be used... she said the kids were at home cleaning it now, ready to fill.  Today is the 20th December, and waaaay too cold for swimming.  There is a Solar system installation with the Sun in Ranfurly and planets at various distances along the trail. Here you can see reflected in a stainless steel Earth that even on 20th December I am wearing thermal gloves, raincoat and waterproof overtrou. Halfway between the equator and the South pole... feeling a lot ...

 So today was almost all on the Central Otago Rail Trail. It was a long day... 60 odd kms, so we rolled down the hill and into town for a substantial breakfast to set us rolling. We enjoyed the excellent trail, and the information stations, passport stamping opportunities... everything set up for cyclists! Not long out of Alexandra I found my tyre needed pumping up. It got a few more shots of air and made it to Omakau. We checked both bikes into HebikesShebikes for some much needed TLC, while we adjourned to the Tea shop. The weather continued to look threatening, the wind was rising, but so far the dreaded rain was holding off. With another 30 km to go, we were grateful to set off into the strengthening wind on our finely tuned bikes. The next section of the the ride includes great photo opportunities at several picturesque viaducts and tunnels... probably the single most scenic stretch of the whole trail and we are starting to feel the pressure to make progress before the weather...

 Today we felt under pressure for most of the day. That's what happens when you have to pre-book things.  So the first booking was our jet boat from Shingle creek to Doctors point. We had stayed in Roxburgh Town, 10km from the dam and another 12 km to the boat pick up. Trail signs added an extra frisson of anxiety as they listed the total distance to Alexandra. Certainly wouldn't make that by midday!! It was a shame to rush this section of the track as it is new and specially made for cyclists. Roxburgh town to the dam continued alongside the still overflowing river. Our weather was drier than yesterday, Thank fully. In fact perfect cycling weather. The fabulous new cycle track. Scenic Boat trip. Our driver pointed out several old miners cottages, caves and shelters. Track under water. By now the sun was shining so aquaplaning through flooded track was a game!! A short visit to town and then big adventure into the unknown, I had booked us in with warm showers hosts high on the...

  The day dawned fine, but rain arrived well before we got to Roxborough. Previous days of rain had filled the river past its banks and set up as swirling mass of muddy water through the willows and threatened our path.  The campground was on one side of the river, the town on the other so it was two soggy cyclists who made a hasty trip to the supermarket before retiring to a cosy cabin, intending to stay out of the rain. Once warm and dry however, we retraced our path to town to do some sightseeing. A short walk takes you to the King George Park War Memorial and views over town and Teviot valley. Roxburgh Gold era memorialised on the downtown loos.