Back to Glenmac and a Soggy Cycle Ride!

Monday 30 March

Looked out the window on awaking and it was white all around - white skies, white mohos & campers and white Oamaru stone buildings!

We packed up & pulled out of the freedom camp carpark comfortably before the 10am deadline and set course for Glenmac again. Loved this easy park-up and was very taken with the EV charging posts which were wrapped to look like local buildings and landmarks. From Oamaru the journey was grey & mizzly as we headed back up the Waitaki Valley - felt like we were driving through the cloud rather than under it. Maybe these are ideal conditions for the new barrel farm we spotted?!

Parked in our favourite spot at Glenmac, welcomed again by the resident piwakawaka, and made some lunch. Louis looked out the window and saw the five naughty sheep hopping over the fence into the fodder beet field -I popped the door open to take a pic and they looked up, looked guilty and hopped back over the fence and scarpered back to their own paddock!! So cheeky!

Got the bikes down mid afternoon and set off under blue skies to find the A2O cycle track down in the Waitaki Valley. Proved to be a rather wet endeavour, encountering a ford, a muddy swamp and some big puddles. First obstacle - crossing the Otiake River to Grants Road. It was a bit deep and rocky to cycle through so it was shoes off for me and wet sandals for him as we waded across

At the end of Grants Road we took the river access track down to the A2O trail but were thwarted by this super muddy & swampy section! Had to double back and cycle down the dry creek bed instead - super rocky and bumpy. We finally found the trail and headed north along it and enjoyed cycling between the poplars between the vineyards. Popped out on the main road at River T Wines and had to stop for a tasting - naturally! There was a fun country & western vibe there which seemed an odd combo for a winery - but hey ho. We sat in the garden for Louis' flight of six wines to taste and my cup of tea - the vines beyond were all netted to try and keep the birds out ahead of harvest in a week or two. Out of six on the tasting flight - highlight was #2 the Gewürztraminer.

Opted for the easier cycle back, going along the main road and up Grants Road, with just the ford to tackle over to Gards Road and the home strait to Glenmac.

When our feet had warmed up again, we invited our hosts over for cheese & crackers in the evening sunshine. Kaye, Keith & Jet were lovely company and we swapped tales until the sun went down - but totally forgot to get a photo to commemorate the occasion.

Easy dinner of frittata leftovers and a delicious stone fruit Cromwell Crumble using up all the peaches, apricots etc that we bought in Cromwell and couldn’t eat fast enough! Nom nom!