We’re in a delightful town called Alexandra.  Beautiful three hour drive through gorgeous country to get here today.  Blue sky, warm weather.  Ahhhh….

We pulled in without a reservation trusting we would find a place and thanks to the iSite folks we are lodged in a wonderful little Home Stay/Backpackers.  We’re the only ones here and have our own kitchen and even a sauna!  I’m sitting on the front porch watching the moon come up and enjoying a nice local Porter and one of the Havana cigars Tom (from Doubtful Sound) gave me.

We got here about 2PM local and rented a couple bikes for the next two days.  Once we were settled in, we went for a 20Km ride up the Mighty Clutha river into Clyde and then back down the Otago Central Railtrail.  It’s part of a multi-day loop bike trail through this country.  Now that we’ve seen this, it may be our goal next year to come down here and do a multi day bike tour through this country!  It’s just stunningly gorgeous.

Starting the bike ride up the Clutha River to Clyde.

Tomorrow, since we have the bikes another day, we’re going to ride up the Manuherikia River!  It’s also part of the Railtrail.  Our bikes have panniers so we can pack some gear.  The plan is to ride up to another town (not sure yet where that will be) and have lunch.  Then at some point, I will try and find a spot to fish and Ann will continue on an come back later in the day to collect me – if lucky with fish for dinner. LOL.

At least we’ll try.

So…another gorgeous day.  We’re on our last few days of the trip.  This weekend, starting on Sunday, the weather is going to turn stormy and we’re heading back.  There’s a cyclone up just south of Fiji that’s heading this way.  As it comes south it will dissipate, but still bring strong wind and rain starting on Sunday – so vacation over, time to head home.

Between now and then we hope to get some final bike riding, fishing and touring.

Stay tuned.  I’ll try and post some more pics tomorrow…

…and now for the pics…

Heading up the trail. My bike looks a little "fishy" with my rod holder and net sticking out.

Ann on the Rail Trail. She ended up doing 60Km. I did 30Km since I stopped halfway to go up a lovely little stream fly fishing.

Our halfway point. The tavern!

A bit of the local color as a stopping place for a wonderful lunch!

Crossing the bridge I saw this nice spot and went fishing. Had the whole river to myself as as I worked upstream 1/2 mile. Saw lots of fish, but they saw me first!