Day 8: Smallburn Farm to Wanaka

An early start was required because I was going to be a farm girl in the morning.  Peter and son Brad were going to be moving a small group of cattle (angus/Hereford) from one paddock to another, at the same time as they were moving a flock of sheep down to the lucerne paddock and I was invited along.

What?  you want us to move?

Oh all right, if its only down hill....

About 8 of the dogs were loaded into the cage on the back of the ute and away we went, uphill and down dale till we got to the flock of sheep.  They had nicely gathered themselves together, so Peter and I and about 6 dogs got out of the ute and we continued to walk the sheep towards the lucerne paddock.  Certain dogs were given different tasks – Goose barked too much and was often told to be quiet – Moose had to go around – then there was old Kelly and Quinn and I just can’t remember all the others.  Two ambled along so close behind Peter that they quite often got a heel in the teeth, but they didn’t seem to mind. 

Where is that dog???

On our way down to the paddock we also collected a small mob of lambs that had escaped from somewhere, so we had to walk the combined flock down to the yards to draft out the lambs but eventually after ambling along for about 2-3kms the lambs were in the right place as were the sheep and Brad had gone off with the cattle somewhere, before coming back to help with the drafting.  I think Peter had managed quite well, keeping his language under control when there’s a ‘lady’ around – well, they don’t know me so well :)

High flying dog!

cooling off in the race - snow fed channels

Once back at the farm, I had missed saying goodbye to Sue, she works in Cromwell but Peter and I had a coffee and a piece of cake, then I was loaded up and out on the road.  No side tracks today, but the traffic was pretty quiet and tame. 

Goodbye Smallburn Farm - what a wonderful place to stay!

Not far from the farm there were a couple of steep rises and I managed them, but then the next one didn’t seem to want to end and about ¾ way up, I quit and walked the last 200m.  At about this time the wind came up also, yes of course a head wind, so that just added a little extra drag, but I was in no rush and stopped every 5km to have a good drink, piece of chocolate or a coupla mouthfuls of muesli bar before heading on again. 

Almost made it to the top of this one....

Around lunch time, I rolled into the very small town of Luggate, where there was a pub, so I went in and woke up the bar girl and ordered Fries and a ginger beer and proceeded to chow through them.  The basket was too full, so I only managed half, but the ginger beer – Bundaberg in fact – was nice and tingly and I felt refreshed enough to get those pedals turning.

Maggie hitched to the rails at Luggate Pub

But just down the road was that bump in the road profile and yep, it was bigger and meaner than the other one I had tried to struggle up.  Full belly of chips and bubbles just weren’t going to help, so I admitted defeat early and slowly pushed my bike up the hill – probably not even a km long.  

From that green paddock up to the top - a bit of a walk :)

Once at the top it was pretty plain sailing – the wind giving me the gripes, but soon there were signs of Wanaka not far away.  I rode past the Transport Museum, then zooming down into town, I only photographed the Puzzleworld – I don’t think I am the right age for those sorta theme parks. 

And so into Wanaka.  It looks like a nice little town.  There are suburbs heading off around the bend of the lake and up the hills, but probably mostly holiday houses, tho they look like suburban mcmantions.  With such a nice blue sky day the lake was pretty ruffled but nice and blue still.  Far away in the distance you could see quite a bit of snow on the mountains – even though the temp was in the high 20s.  Photos later!

Found the YHA easily and was given the key to the room.  And very comfy it is – a 6 bunk self-contained with en suite.  Much nicer than having to share the kitchen and bathroom with everyone!  And there was still one bottom bunk!  Sweet!  There were already 2 Swedish girls that were having a lot of fun and a German girl, who was quite quiet!!  Later another German girl arrived and later a Scottish woman, so a full but happy house.  The Swedish girls and one of the Germans went out partying later that evening, but the rest of us felt the need for an early night.

We shall see what a spare day in Wanaka will offer tomorrow.  Already know that there’s not much chance of a lake cruise, so can do that in Queenstown. 

Final stats for today:  48.21km, 15kph avg and 43.8kph max.  those sealed roads make a lot of difference coming down hill :)