"On the Road Again...."

After a few days in Clyde, cleaning up and restocking the bus, we were ready to set off on our next road trip.  Originally we had planned to travel up through the Haast Pass to the West Coast and then on to Nelson but because of a family commitment in Geraldine our journey is taking us through the Mackenzie Basin. Saturday in Clyde was on of those scorchers so we had our first break at Champagne Creek, just a few kms into the Cromwell Gorge. The road was also very busy and as we such a long vehicle - 9 metres of bus plus the car, we decided to wait until the cool of the evening and a quieter road before going any further. This was an excellent decision and after a meal, we headed off. A fuel stop in Cromwell was all we needed before continuing along SH 8. Our parking spot for the night was a rest area in the Lindis Pass, close (other side of the river) to the Historic site of the Lindis Hotel. An information board makes interesting reading about how gold was first found in the area in 1861. We spent a comfortable night here, with two other campervans for company, before setting off early the next morning.

Champagne Creek next to Lake Dunstan

Enjoying our evening meal out of doors.

Camp site beside Lake Ohau

Stephen's first fish.

Baked in foil for tea.

As we were getting close to the Lake Ohau turnoff we decided that it was a long time since either of us had been up this road. As a child we used to visit family friends, the Weatheralls who farmed Ohau Station so I was keen to have another look. Just before the Alpine Village, we came across a District Council camp and made the decision to make this our camp for the night. We managed a site right next to the lake and were very happy to be parked up so early in the day.
While I made breakfast Stephen thought he would try his hand at fishing and I am not sure who was more surprised when he came back with a pound and a half trout. It certainly made a fine meal for tea that night.

 Should have taken the camera!
Our afternoon entertainment was to give the bikes an airing. They hadn't been out since November when we were in Te Anau and a gentle 5km ride up the road to the Lake Ohau Lodge was where we set out sights. It was an easy ride, despite the heat but of course we weren't content with just that. A section of Aoraki to the the Ocean Mountain Bike Track, tempted us and off we set. Of course parts of it were great and other sections, including bridges, were incomplete. We must have gone at least 5kms along it before realising that if we continued we would be in Omarama!!! The views were spectacular (should have taken the camera) and once finished it will be a magnificent track. However we were not wanting to go that far so we found a track that took us on a less conventional way to our campsite. For a first bike trip out,  4 hours wasn't too bad a start. No doubt the muscles will tell all next time.