Settling in

January 28, 2020

We're getting settled in Cromwell and I kind of like being a bit of a bum, though a busy bum so far. We're a day ahead but 3 hours earlier on the clock from home. Cromwell is at the junction of the Kawarau and Clutha Mata-au rivers and has a long history as a commercial center during the Otago district gold rush in the late 1800's. It is the fruit producing hub in NZ and famous for Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes. There are many small wineries in addition to the fruit orchards. This area is really arid and has cold winters. The topography reminds me of Lake Chelan blended with the central Oregon high desert.

Bonnie and I stopped in at Crank cycle and Nigel, the owner sold me a 29 inch hard tail mountain bike at a great price and is going to ship it not charge to the north island when we head up there. He also makes Espresso drinks for his customers! Bonnie is using one of our friend Mark's bikes so our riding is pretty well covered. Our first ride was a river trail to Bannockburn district pairing it with a road ride and stopping to visit a few wineries. Great day riding through the vineyards and enjoyed the beautiful grounds and art exhibit at Carrick winery.

The following day we drove to Clyde which is about two blocks long with beautiful stone buildings, now restaurants and shops. Lots of well tended flowers and hollyhocks that were 6 feet tall. We enjoyed another river ride from Clyde to Alexander and then on to ride the Roxburgh gorge section of the Otago rail trail. This is a spectacular gorge with steep, schist/rock cliffs and the emerald green Clutha River at the bottom. We rode a trail cut into the walls of the gorge where it ends at Doctors Point where you can arrange a boat shuttle 11km down river to Foxburgh to pick up the trail again. I've never been in the Snake River gorge, but this looks like pictures I've seen. Big headwinds going out and a quicker return to Alexandra and then we rode the old rail bed back to Clyde where we had a cold drink in the back patio of the old Post Office cafe. Our bikes fit perfectly in the back of Mark's trusty land cruiser. It was a quick trip back to Cromwell and time to enjoy Pizza. In typical friendly Kiwi style we had a chance conversation with a couple from Christchurch who have offered us a place to stay when we go North!