Ettrick-Alexandra Dec17-18/08

Although we were only going to go to Tapanui (34KM), I feel strong so we agree to go to Ettrick.

It is sunny and dry and with a tailwind behind us and easy hills we don't stop for lunch until 50KM at Heriot. After lunch we have some good climbs and as we near the top of one climb it starts to rain, it moves over us quickly and the sun comes out again.

There is a long steepish downhill then some rolling hills before winding up again. As it starts spitting again, I don my rain jacket. It starts raining hard as I descend, it is steep with low speed corners (45KM), so I take it slow. Thunder starts, fortunately I am mostly down by then.

We have a snack at a teahouse before short cycle to motorcamp. The woman at the motorcamp is pleasant, she mentions that there are other Canadians at the camp who she points out to us as she shows us the facilities.

I manage to catch some of the best commercials from other countries, they are really innovative and funny. The motorcamp is an old school building and grounds.

This area has numerous fruit and vegetable farms so we pick up some cherries on the way.

We stop in Roxburgh and enjoy Jimmy's Pies fresh from his shop (minced). The deserts look very tempting. We chat with a business man from Queenstown.

Approximately 9KM beyond Roxburgh we start the climb. It is a very challenging day with steep climbs, descents and more steep climbs. Even after I think that we are at the top, there are more hills but then the descent gets us most of the way up the next hill without too much effort. There is also more traffic then we would like passing at high speed.

Along the top, I stop to take photos of a lovely old stone building "Fruitland Lodge".

There is a strong crosswind, which is challenging on the descents when we pass from a sheltered rock outcropping to an exposed area.

The final 2Km is a fast descent with some pretty views on the way down. The bridge is a really impressive entrance to the town (old arches).

It is 8:30PM when we get to motorcamp after supper at KFC so we will pay in morning.

Alexandra appears to be a prosperous little town, I use the library internet to update my blog.


Day 46 cycling 85KM
Day 47 cycling 54KM