3rd January 2022 (hazy cloud, warm and sunny) 58 km

 We all managed a good sleep, despite the heat and woke about 6.15am. Had a cup of tea and while Ju cooked scrambled eggs in toast, Brody and I started packing the bikes.  We were humming and haa-ing about whether Brody should take his backpack as he could get all his gear in his panniers, but it was very tight. In the end we decided he should and after saying our goodbyes to Eileen and Stuart,  we pedaled up the driveway at 8.20am.

Hadn't gone far when we had to stop and photograph the three alpacas and then the Nevis Bluff...this was all before we left the driveway!  So it was a cruisey morning in perfect conditions as we cycled the 24km to Arrowtown along the purpose built bike track.

Just before we got to Arrowtown we spied the perfect place for a dip.  Ju of course was first in there and she struck gold! Well close....the water was so clear, she spied a pair of sunglasses on the bottom of the river bed, so dived down to retrieve them.  They were Tifosi, so definitely worth the effort. Both Ju and I already have Tifosis so Brody is now the new owner.

Pete dives in to see if he can find a pair of sunglasses too.

He hadn't banked on it being quite that cold!

Cycled into Arrowtown and found a shady spot on the grass where we sat and ate the ham salad buns that Ju had prepared at Eileen's.  All agreed they were delicious and stood up to grab our bikes, when who should come along but Dot!

We'd just taken this photo when Pete goes "I don't bloody well believe it!" And along comes Dot.

Dennis and Barry were at a cafe (surprise, surprise!), so we went along and joined them for a coffee. Great to run into them yet again.

After that we pedaled through the beautiful Millbrook estate, snapping photos here, there and everywhere.  We got a bit distracted and didn't take proper notice of the signage and ended up doing an extra 10km, but we didn't really mind as we were all thoroughly enjoying the day.

Rolled into Queenstown at 4.30pm and all went straight into the lake for a refreshing swim.  Then we walked our bikes round to the wharf to make sure the Earnslaw people knew we had bikes and were getting off at the other end. They did, but no reduction in price even though we were taking a one way trip and everyone else was getting a return trip. Still, nobody else was taking their bikes across.

Time for a bit of poledancing below decks.

Just had time to grab a kebab before we boarded and we ate them in the very flash saloon bar of the Earnslaw which we had entirely to ourselves.   Got some lovely vistas as we crossed to Walters Peak and the cameras were kept busy again.

We landed just before 7pm and filled our water bottles at the toilets there and watched the scene as the Earnslaw departed through still waters as the wind had suddenly dropped.  

We pedaled about 1km round the headland to the most idyllic camping spot we have ever had.  It was a DOC camp so only a long drop toilet but that was its only drawback.  Beautiful patch of cut grass, expansive views over lake wakatipu back to Queenstown  and even a barbecue area and rubbish bins.

There were two other cyclists there who had ridden from Mavora Lakes, which is where we will cycle to tomorrow.  They weren't very talkative however and went to bed before 8pm....... the warning bells should have gone off then.   People don't usually go to bed that early unless they are absolutely knackered. 

But ignorance is bliss so we happily put up our tents and went for a swim in the crystal clear water and spent some time skimming rocks as every stone had been flattened by the elements (another warning there!), and was perfect for skimming.  Brody especially was regularly getting between 15 and 20 bounces.

Finished off a perfect day to start Brody's bikepacking adventures with a coffee and a piece of sun melted and rehardened peanut slab.