Return to the 1960s

After a late night last night due to the tardiness of those blue penguins, we had a slightly sluggish start today. The sun was shining when we got up, although it was pretty chilly, but that was as good as it got. It is now raining again!  We decided to take the bikes out for a spin, with the objective of trying to find the derelict playground we stumbled across 10 years ago. Then it was really spooky, a rusted up 'Sputnik', 2 creaking ancient swings, a rusty slide and a long neglected tennis court - all surrounded by long grass and undergrowth. I don't know why, but it stayed as one of the clearest memories of an extremely memorable holiday. The one thing missing in the combined Hume memory bank was its exact location - although I knew the road and approximate position. In reality we came across it easily at Awamoko as I recognised the community hall adjacent. The equipment is all still there but the grass has been cut and motor homes are now allowed to park overnight. Since the items are still intact I assume they have had some attention, although this wasn't immediately obvious. It was fun to see them again, but the clearance work meant they weren't quite so atmospheric. Still don't think the next Andy Murray will be found practising on those courts! (See below).

Having sailed up the virtually flat valley road we then turned off on to the NZ equivalent of country lanes - into a strong head wind and uphill!  The road signs were incomprehensible as was the signposting on the Alps to Ocean (A2O) cycle route which told you to turn right at three consecutive road junctions - perhaps you are meant to treat it as an orienteering course!  We had lunch at the internationally renowned resort of Ngawera, sitting on the door step of the Community Hall. We were approached by a rotund local who asked why we weren't sitting in the picnic area. We looked a bit blank (and frankly confused) until he pointed out a hole in the fence opposite where there was a round plastic table and a rickety wooden bench that would never have held the weight of two of us.  He mumbled that he really must put a sign up - but quite how many tourists they were inspecting in this less than one sheep hamlet is a bit of a mystery.

We made it back to discover that Chris' bike saddle appears to be collapsing. We took it off and high-tailed down to the bike shop, only to discover that it closes at lunchtime on a Saturday. Not sure what he is going to do - probably put it back on and forget about it!  We managed to get all the washing done and dried and have done some more rearrangement on the overnight stops - I have now made so many changes that I am struggling to keep up (and C has given up).  The local paper has a great front page spread:  'Shear Delight'. Four young friends feel the warmth of a rare sunny day after being shorn at a shed inland from Oamaru.  More photos on pages 8&9.  (The friends in question were obviously sheep, for the avoidance of doubt).  There was also a full page article on 'A Celebration of flour power', a review of a fish burger (with fried egg on top!) and an advert for 'The Gadgetorium' - curios and collectables of Merchant Time Travelers, contact Merchant Lucretia. Nice to know they are not all locked up yet!