Valentine's Schmalentine's!

Friday 14 February

Time to move again - the final leg back to Wānaka.

After the most exquisite sunrise, we said our farewells to Jonny & Debs and their gorgeous lucky red house surrounded by the scent of thyme, hitched up Banjo and headed out the gate...

This time we approached from the south - following the eastern shoreline of Lake Dunstan up to Cromwell where we crossed the lake on a flashy bridge - Deadman’s Point Bridge - built just 40 years ago. The lakeside road was stunning and it was fascinating trying to follow the cycle track's progress as it ran along the opposite shoreline. At times it was a clear line in the cliffs or bush, sometimes it disappeared up ravines or river inlets, sometimes it crossed narrow suspension bridges and at one point the cliff dropped straight to the lake so the track became a suspended boardwalk several metres above the lake level!

Up near the top of the lake was a strange terraced affair cut into the cliffs quite a way above the lake - Jonny informed us that this was to hold back an unstable part of the hillside. A large rockfall in this area could cause a tsunami high enough to breach the dam wall and flood the township of Clyde!

Stopped for a coffee and a quick bite in Cromwell, had doggo hugs with Fergus the leaning Labrador, took the obligatory shot of the giant fruit (representing the area's prolific orchard output) then headed on northwards up the lake’s western edge and then the Clutha River to Wānaka.

This bizarre pimple of a hill on the northern edge of Cromwell sits on the 45th parallel - exactly half way between the Equator and the South Pole! As well as multiple fruit orchards we also passed a number of vineyards and loved the floaty clouds drifting over them below the mountains behind!

Once in Wānaka, Louis had a physio appointment for his sciatica and I had an appointment at Sallies where I spent $20 and got a skirt, a shirt, shorts and some brand new tights for winter. Ironic, as this was our hottest day yet!

We parked up at Albert Town for $22 and scored an amazing pitch right near the river. Had lunch then a lazy afternoon taking a dip, snoozing, taking another dip or two… though Louis did cycle into town and back.

Made a fab veggie frittata for dinner, met a few campsite neighbours, Louis did his yoga & physio exercises to the amusement of the ducks, and I had a wee wander along the river. Not sure how we’ll sleep tonight - 10pm and it’s still over 20*C!