A20 Day 6: Burnside Homestead to Oamaru (The Ocean!)

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It rained over night but the morning finally opened up to clear skies. After yesterday it was good news.

Our breakfast was once again set in style in the main dining room. Most of us had a continental breakfast but then opted for scrambled eggs as well. Allison and Bruce looked after us with grace and style with Allison imparting her knowledge on her self sufficient skills.

We eventually gathered up all our wet/dry gear from yesterday and said our goodbyes to our most excellent hosts. What a place to stay.

We first retraced our tracks to where we had gone wrong yesterday (up and down the hills) on Burnside Road then onto gravel for a bit. It was still water logged so we biked on the road. After maybe 12kms we got to the old railway line which would take us into Oamaru. There were huge puddles so we got wet feet ploughing through them. Eventually the railway line joined the streets of Oamaru and we coasted down to the bike trail through the botanical gardens. These are lovely and well worth a look at - not as good as Pukekura Park in New Plymouth (of course) but right up there in terms of town parks in NZ. Through the town we coasted until, finally, we got to the Ocean!!! Yay! Well done team. Total distance 300kms.

We did our photo shoots then arranged to meet at 3.30 at the Information Office to farewell those moving on. These were Vanessa and Rob and Richard and Joyce. The other three men went back to get the cars while we 3 women got settled into Federation House which is a very old house close to town and up the hill. Once the men got back we 6 had dinner at the Cucina Italian Restaurant which was very good but a bit odd since it was St Patricks Day with Irish music.

So, what was my impression of the Alps2Ocean Bike Trail? Firstly, it is incredibly scenic and totally worthwhile doing. But, it is not for the unfit. There is no way that this trail is to be considered easy or downhill. It is hilly and is very rough in parts, there are parts to bring up to standard, the distances and tracks ratings are not accurate and the accomodation is not always the best. But, we can look past this in terms of the achievements that have been made since it's inception. The trail is relatively new and people doing the organisation still have some skills to develop as the trail becomes more popular.

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Photos

Leaving Burnside Homestead
Off and away on a dry day after a superb stay at Burnside Homestead

Side view of Burnside Homestead
The lounge and conservatory view of the homestead. There is also a lovely flower garden and huge vegey garden

Mission accomplished at Port Oamaru
The Aventure Before Dementia group having reached the Ocean part of Alps2Ocean

Comments

[Mary Davies]

I know I'm a bit behind the times, but you did so well! It's good to read this as Kev and I might do the ride ourselves one day - I can tell you though, we'll be on e-bikes!!!