The day started yesterday with a 3 hour train ride from Dunedin through the Tiaere Gorge, a very scenic railway that in earlier times took people from Dunedin up to the gold mining country. Some of us just stood outside the rail car on the connecting platform to view the scenery. Everything from pine forests to grass lands.
At the end of the train ride the van was waiting for us and we shuttled in to a small town for lunch, and got fitted to our bikes. And away we all went. It started out as a beautiful broad valley, then the path became more curvy, with a river on our right. The trail itself is pretty rough in places, with the old railroad ballast fully present. Being an old railway the grades were very gentle. In fact, you can't even see whether you are going up or down, but your legs certainly know the difference. I don't know our mileage on the trail, but would guess it was in the 25 mile category. It was quite adequate to give us all sore rear ends from our first day on the bikes.
As for the weather, you name it we had it! Strong headwinds most of the way, and cloudy enough that we even got dripped on a little. Not enough to warrant putting on the rain gear. The last couple hours were in beautiful sunshine, and the winds were not so much of a problem. We rode bikes through one tunnel maybe a couple hundred yards in length. The fact that it was a curved tunnel meant that you couldn't see the light at the end. Having come from bright sunshine to pitch black tunnel made it hard to see with our tiny flashlights, but we all made it through without mishap.
Our inn is at Kokongo, which, near as I can tell is a one house town, and that is our inn. It has a view to die for, looking across a wide valley with mountains of mainly grassland in the distance. It is owned and operated by Dorothy and Malcolm, and very gracious hosts they are. As I told Dorothy, it's a 5 star place in our book.
Our plans are to stay flexible this morning. The forecast is for improving weather this afternoon, so we'll maybe get on the bikes later. Simon will shuttle us in to a nearby town to see what there is to see.
We're all doing fine, although Claira has been fighting a sore throat. Lillian is having a great time on the back of the tandem. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves very much. Our two traveling companions, Trixie and Pat are also very congenial, so it is starting off well despite this morning's rain.
Time to run. Will post when we can. Jim
We remember the train rides on the South Island well. We especially enjoyed as you seemed to the platform at the back of the train watching the countryside go by. So much to see in such a condensed area of the world.
ReplyDeleteRemains sunny and bright today. Temps this AM when we got up were in the 20sF and by 9:30 AM it is already 41!
Glad you're having such a great adventure.
David and Kitty