Say it out loud and make it happen. That’s how we roll. And last year on the South Island when we spent a day on the Otago Rail Trail we decided we wanted to come back and do the whole 100 plus mile trail. And we are.
We left Kurow after spending another day chasing the elusive but large fish in these rivers. Actually this time Bob had one but it broke the line and swam away, probably laughing. But Bob was smiling too so both parties won.
Our trip to Middlemarch, where we were meeting our bike taxi, took us over Danesby Pass. The atlas clearly states that this is not a road for motorhomes or wide vehicles. So we asked our hosts what they thought of it. “It’s like all of the roads back here…sometimes a little rough but passable”. Well, it was a little rough at times. Loose gravel, sharp turns, very narrow and stunning! The kind of road that you want to stop at every turn to take pictures but worry that some local will come barreling around the next corner.
Here's a "tame" part of the road. I was, frankly, afraid to pull over on the steeper bits.
The view from near the top. The trip, though very rough and "white knuckle" driving was definitely worth it.
We did stop to take pictures and luckily the one very fast local showed up at one of the gentler turns so we had time to get to the side. The pass climbed about 4000 feet and wound through sheep and cattle country and sometimes even along a beautiful river…Bob’s casting arm was twitching but we were on a schedule and needed to get to Middlemarch so only photo breaks were allowed.
Once through the pass we entered into the heart of the Otago region which is full of sheep ranches and fruit orchards. Not all sheep were on the range though and as we came hurrying around one bend a man jumped off a poorly parked pick up truck and signaled for us to slow down. And we did. We turned the bend and were suddenly engulfed by a flock of 300 plus sheep being herded across the state highway to the field on the other side. The dogs were doing a great job and we had quite the seat for the show!
So, we're off the mountain, down from the pass, back on a solid road doing 100 KM/H, round a turn and...SHEEP!!
Fortunately, the doggies had everything under control. We just had to wait a few minutes 'till they herded them into the field
Once in Middlemarch we moved our biking gear and bags to be transported to a waiting vehicle and were delivered to our starting point, Clyde. Our first accommodation is a lovely three bedroom house aptly named Plum Tree Cottage. And we have it to ourselves! We have harvested some plums and some pears and enjoyed the bottle of wine and brownies that were left as a welcome gift. And we are enjoying the beautiful twilight on the front porch.
View into the lot of our cottage
Such a nice spot we wanted to stay here a couple days, but...the trail awaits!
Sweet as…let’s ride!
Dear Ann & Bob
Wishing you all the best for the 100 miles (or is it kilometers?). We just did the Clyde to Alexandra section (the river path going north was defitniely prettier) and I couldn’t cope with weaving through the barriers before the roads. If ~I’d had any sort of horse I’d have jumped them!
We’re now in Hanmer Springs – Jon is mountainn biking tomorrow and i’m going to go hill walking.
Looking ofreard to our paths crossing.
Carol
Captain Bob, oh great fisher-person, I loved the trout stories. I like how the Moby Trout just basically ignored you. And the buck fever moment. I did something similar once trying to get a cartridge into the chamber while the deer crossed the road and vanished into a ravine.
Glad you got one on the line. Hope it was a fun tussle.
What fun! An old school, narrow, winding mountain road through a pass. And sheep. With streams nearby. Coooool.
Also loved the picture of Ann sitting in the chair, obviously in a contented state. Given the date, shouldn’t you be in Earlymarch? You probably went too far too fast. LOL
I got way behind in blog reading and have just now caught up. The stories are great. I love the penguins in the night. How cool that must’ve been to see them at all, let alone crossing the road. The Moby Trout story, truly entertaining. The angry bull story……great story but not such a great encounter…..glad you escaped any altercation there.
Keep on keeping on and sharing how wonderful the world is when you just get out there to embrace it!