Heading Down into a Weather Bomb

Tuesday 29 April

With a horrific weather forecast ahead, a rather empty fridge & pantry, and an appointment to meet Abby & Jeremy in Methven, we packed up, said farewell to Barrie and his friendly chooks and set off back down to the Canterbury plains. There was no sunrise per se as the clouds had settled in on and around the mountains creating a grey ethereal landscape, but as the sun rose higher much of the cloud around this part of the Pass burned off leaving wispy strands gracing the valleys, lakes and river beds.

The cloud drifting across the valleys and below the peaks made for a new perspective on this stunning landscape, as we followed the same route as yesterday towards Castle Hill and beyond..

As we came to the top of Porter’s Pass, (our nemesis ascent back on 24 January where we almost didn’t make it to the top) the horizon disappeared into cloud and we gave the new brakes a severe testing as we crawled down the hill. We stopped at the second lay by to give the brakes a break, and were somewhat perturbed to see smoke emanating from the front passenger wheel - but it soon cooled and we set off down the remaining 75% of the incline in low gear and increased the level of Banjo's brakes to share the load.

Sheffield was our next stop, as is the rule - pies for lunch (smoked brisket & cheese for Louis and chicken, brie & cranberry for me) followed by a stupendous lemon, chocolate, berry scroll and a very neat custard slice 😍

The road to Methven was grey & overcast making even the incredible Rakaia Gorge look a little blah - and then the heavens opened shortly after we parked up.

I was seriously short of Fitbit steps so took a damp walk along a section of the Methven Walkway including the adorable Piwakawaka Walk. The Methven Walkway is an impressive 12km loop of well tended tracks around the township which opened in 1979, created and maintained by the local Lions Club and well supported by the local community. In the Piwakawaka Forest alongside Holmes Road the local children have painted wooden fantail templates which are nailed to the trees along the way. There are also a large number of painted stones featuring smiley faces, funny little monochrome images, beautifully scripted motivational sayings and some classic dad jokes! I turned off the route before entering the Enchanted Forest with its fairy houses, fairy wings and sprinkles of fairy dust. Stopped by the very elegant Opuke Thermal Pools to see what they were like and if they were worth a visit - answer, a resounding yes! Walked back to the campsite in pouring rain and warmed up with a cup of tea!

Abby & Jez pulled up around 6ish and we adjourned to the main block to cook & eat dinner, play wiff waff & catch up in front of the roaring wood burner. Happy days!