Day 5 - Cromwell

After yesterday's bad weather, today dawned calm and clear.

We spent the morning exploring Cromwell and sorting out a few Motor Home things: fill gas bottle, dump waste and load fresh water and get rid of the recycling. All set for a few more days now.

We also had a walk around the Heritage Precinct and learnt more about the 'old' town. Lake Dunstan was filled in 1991 drowning the lower parts of the town. We actually passed through here on our way to and from Wanaka during that time and watched the water rise and cover the old bridge!

Miriam wanted to do some shopping and I really wanted to cycle some of the Lake Dunstan cycle trail. This is around 42km long and goes from Cromwell to Clyde on the other side of the gorge from the highway. The route takes you up the Kawarau River towards Queenstown then crosses the bridge at Bannockburn before following the river down to the Clutha River at Cornish Point then along the side of the gorge to Clyde. I cycled about half way along travelling on some of the portions that have been bolted on to the sheer rock face! I stopped at the boat selling coffee and had a break before returning the same way.

This cycle way has to be the most dramatic in the country by far. Even though I only got about halfway, my total cycling distance was about 42km which is the same as the total length. The bit I didn't do is more challenging but I am happy with what I did given that the recommended time to do it is 4-5 hours. My trip was about 3 hours all up. My legs are only just still working so I will have to rest up tomorrow.

Meantime Miriam filled in her day by visiting the local museum. A volunteer running the place reminded her of David Pheasant's stints in Martinborough.

With the weather not looking good tomorrow in Fiordland, we have decided to head east and travel through Dunedin and do the Catlins from the northern end. We will then loop around through Invercargill and Manapouri later in the week.