If you think you can, or think you can’t, either way you are right

As we are having an unplanned rest day, it’s an ideal time to post the next series of adventures.

As we cycle our way around the South Island, I’m always thinking of blog titles.  Before this adventure, a good friend and also blogger of mine Denise and I met with Venetia Sherson (freelance journalist) for tips about writing.  Her number one tip was the title – it must be catchy and/or attention grabbing.  So, have my titles been working??  Have they encouraged you to read the blogs?  Love to hear your feedback.  That was another tip Venetia gave us, “ask your readers for their thoughts, opinions and ideas”.

“If you think you can, or think you can’t, either way you are right” is a quote I read a long time ago but never fully understood it until now.  There have been many a climb or tricky part on a track that I’ve thought “yes I can” or “no I’m not sure” and sure enough, either way I’m right.  It’s been empowering to realise how powerful the mind is.

Queenstown – Walter Peak & Mt Nicholas Stations

23 February, 2018.  We caught a shuttle bus from Cromwell to Queenstown as several people had advised us of the amount of traffic on that road with little or no road verge.  If we valued our lives – best to take the bus.  It was very scenic travelling through the Kawerau Gorge and seeing the wineries and lifestyle blocks.  Even saw a house that was once on NZ Grand Designs!  We were pleased with our decision to take the shuttle.

We had organised for the gearing on our bikes to be checked over in Queenstown at Bikeaholic, which proved to be worthwhile – no more niggling noises.  Queenstown was abuzz with tourists – unbelievable.  It has certainly changed since I was last there – we wondered how the locals are finding it.  Guess if you are in the tourist industry it must be great for business.  We enjoyed a very tasty lunch at Madam Woo’s.  As we were walking towards the ferry we came across this wine tasting van.

We sailed over to Walter Peak Station on the 4 pm sailing on the Earnslaw, (2 pm sailing was completely booked out). We were surrounded by picturesque scenery and tourists!!  I had read about Walter Peak Station many years ago never dreaming I’d ever make it there.  It was magic to finally see the homestead and stunning gardens.  There were a number of outbuildings which were focused on tourism and many young people assisting the tourism side of the business.

When we embarked Sari was keen to hit the road and get some distance from Walter Peak and the hustle and bustle of tourists there.  We found a fabulous little camp site overlooking Lake Wakatipu.   Had dinner down on the lake edge.  We reflected on how fortunate we are to be able to have these experiences and acknowledged our appreciation for our environment – we are truly blessed.

Mt Nicholas Station – Mavora Lakes (54 kms)

24 February, 2018.  Our ride this morning was truly the best, unpaved roads, virtually no traffic and surrounded by magnificent mountain tops and ridges.  You ride through Walter Peak Station and then through Mt Nicholas Station.  This station provides the merino wool for Icebreaker.  Didn’t see many sheep but saw plenty of cattle which all looked in very good condition.

Along the way we meet other cyclists: Alison from Christchurch, she was riding from Mavora Lakes to Walter Peak Station, her husband was picking her up in Queenstown.  Ute & Eddy Six from Germany, they have taken a year off to cycle various places around the world.  We must have chatted to them for at least 30 minutes, had our photos taken and exchanged contact details for when they travel north.  They were an amazing couple.

Their blog is six-travel.com, they even had a blog card to give me, co-ordinated cycle clothing advertising their blog – they had it right – they looked very professional.  Made me realise I also have endless opportunities with my blog:  Sari just laughed when I mentioned I could have cycling gear, panniers branded etc etc with goldcardgal.com!!

As we were coming down from the highest point Sari saw a little old tin shack off to our left – so what do we do?  Of course we cycle up to it and check it out.

As we pass these old shacks and relics makes us want to know more about the people who lived and worked here.  What was the country side like – covered in bush and if so, what type of bush?

We had another fantastic camp site at Mavora Lakes.  What a beautiful place to stay – variety of camping options available, if you want to know more check Mavora Lakes out.  It seems very popular – many campervans and tents further up the lake, it is a DoC facility.

If I wasn’t recording this blog I certainly would have given up on recording our daily events.  Over the years I’ve tried keeping a journal and always after a few days I stop writing – can’t be bothered.  But having my blog had made me be persistent in writing something each night before I climb into my sleeping bag to read.  The temperature has dropped and what I love is that I now have to zip up my sleeping bag to keep snug as a bug!!  Tomorrow Lumsden here we come.

Mavora Lakes – Lumsden (67kms)

25 February 2018.  The north-west wind blew very strongly all night, luckily we were tucked away within a beech forest which sheltered us from the  wind.  Today we are cycling down to Mossburn – more or less south-east.  Don’t think I’ve ever experienced such force of the wind and found it frightening being buffeted by the wind gusts.  We hardly had to pedal going down the long gravel road.  Sari said she hit 35 km p/h and had to apply her brakes to keep control of her bike.  We cycled part of the Round the Mountain cycle trail (great trail in the right weather) which followed one of the many popular fly fishing streams within this area.  Eventually we called it quits on the cycle path and took to the main road for last 10 kms to Mossburn.  I topped 40 km p/h without peddling – just the strong north-west wind blowing me –  it was unbelievable!!

Dome Café was our coffee fix and food stop.  As we got off our bikes (drenched from the rain, not a good look) we saw several other cyclists, they were heading up to where we had come from.  We spoke about the horrendous conditions and said they’d be lucky to make it to Mavora Lakes.  They decided to go ahead anyway.  Interestingly both Sari and I felt they thought “what do those two old birds know about rough conditions!!”  We thought we’d love to see how they cope!!  (Answer to come the next day)

We enjoyed a pleasant ride from Mossburn to Lumsden along the Round the Mountain cycle trail that runs along side the main road.

As it was still raining when we rode into Lumsden we found a cabin at Lumsden Camp Ground.  Always welcome when you don’t have to put up a tent in the rain.  Lumsden offers “free camper-van sites” within the centre of the township.  After speaking with a local she said it’s not wanted by them.

Sari had organised for a friend of her’s from Invercargill to join us here in her bus.  Belinda and her husband Stan are old tramping friends of Sari and Norm’s.   We also meet a couple of Dutch cyclists (they are cycling around the South Island and also taken a year off).  We had a fabulous evening sharing a meal, chatting about experiences, travels and adventures we’ve had.

Lumsden – Mandeville  (47 kms)

26 February, 2018.  Short ride today as Belinda was taking our panniers for us.  As we rode out of Lumsden who should we see but the cyclists we saw yesterday at Dome Café.  They said they only rode about 7 kms and realised they weren’t going to make it to Marova Lakes so came back to the café for another coffee and stayed the night in Lumsden.  As you can imagine Sari and I were feeling pretty pleased with ourselves – “see we do know what we are talking about”.  Even the gung-ho man admitted it was too tough for him.

We had a very pleasant cycle to Mandeville riding across the Waimea Plains.  It seemed strange to see sheep grazing on lush green pastures on one side of the road and see dairy cows on the other.  Had our morning coffee fix at Miss Cocoa – beautiful little café in an old hotel.  Tracy that is where I took those pottery photos.

Tonight we are staying in Dolamore Park, a beautiful park in Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve, in the Hokonui Hills, just 10 minutes’ drive from Gore.

Tomorrow Belinda is driving us to Lawrence where we will start the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail.

I’m signing off now, as I’m hoping to catch up with the lady that build a straw bale house (next to where we are staying) in Oturehua.  Hopefully more to tell you next time.   Take care out there – till next time GoldCard gal  🙂