Kayaking & Cycling Around Lake Opuha

Thursday 14 May

Despite Yahoo suggesting the temperature overnight would be around 6*C, we both woke early with cold noses, Louis hopped out of bed and checked the thermometer which declared the outside temperature to be -2*C! Diesel heater on and we got an hour or two more of sleep.

When we got up around 8ish there was a heavy frost outside and clear skies overhead. The Razor Kayak was completely iced over and the sun was gently turning the hills behind us a beautiful golden pinky tone.

The sun soon defrosted & warmed up the landscape, except for the shadow behind Banjo, so we decided to hop back in the kayak and set off to explore the far end of the lake as far as the dam. The lake was so still and serene - pretty much the only ripples were from our paddles and the odd duck. The autumn colours at the top of the lake with the snow capped mountains behind were simply stunning.

The lake waters being so millpond still, they created the most stunning reflections of the hills and mountains all around - absolutely phenomenal!

Looking at these images above it's hard to tell which way is up and which way down. Collected together like this they become almost kaleidoscopic.

If you spot the dot in the last photo above, we thought this dot was a chopper, but as it flew over and we waved, we realised it was a microlight - how cool!

We spent a couple of hours paddling over towards the dam, then around the island and back to Banjo - just in time for lunch. By now it really was T-shirt weather in the sunshine - our thermometer was picking up high 20s as it was not in the shade, possibly even 30degrees. I had a bee join me for lunch again, then settle in on my T-shirt sleeve for a few minutes.🐝

After lunch we hopped on the bikes to go and check out the other freedom camps and the dam. It was still surprisingly warm for the time of year (2 weeks until winter starts officially) though as you cycled along the shadier parts it was bitterly cold - such a huge temperature range from sun to shade. I was glad I'd reverted to long sleeves but Louis was being hardy in shorts, T-shirt & sandals!

Unlike most of the dams we have encountered, hydropower is a secondary consideration here in Lake Opuha. The lake and the dam were constructed primarily to ensure a constant supply of water for irrigation, urban and industrial supplies and to maintain a consistent flow in the Opuha and Opihi Rivers. We cycled on down to the weir pool below the main dam, but it was not super exciting, though the ducks seemed to enjoy it. The autumn leaves down here were more of a lemon or lime shade and many of the trees were already naked, but they all looked lovely in the sunshine.

We visited the bottom of the lake freedom camp at Bennetts Road and figured we would camp down here next, then cycled back to Banjo.

Both felt a little knackered after our two outings, and after checking the weather forecast, decided to change our plans and head out to Fairlie in the morning to go to the dump station, then change our itinerary to visit Geraldine, Waihi Gorge, Ashburton Lakes, Ashburton and Rakaia on our route back to Ōtautahi Christchurch, so spent the evening planning and making a few onward bookings. By the time we fell into bed the outside temperature was already at zero so it was gonna be another cold night. ❄️