Day 14 Hampden to Dunback

Our stay in Moreaki Boulders Motel, Hampden, though short, was very comfortable. Recommended. But we are leaving again, destination Dunback. Never heard of it? We hadn't either. But it's well placed for our journey and there is a hotel there we can stay at.

We ride south along SH1. Here is the Moeraki sign, another from the same batch, just as faded and bad looking as the others.

Seven kilometres from Hampden we turn into Trotter's gorge. Great to have the road to ourselves and quiet around us. A little way along the road are several large buildings on the right. What are they? Pigs or Chickens? (Later we are told this is a "free range" chicken farm - but managed so that the chickens choose to stay inside the barns - Because the chickens can go outside at will "Free range" - tick. Never mind the they never choose to do so!

Further up the road we enter a pretty limestone gorge, a very nice ride, but at the end is a steep climb, that keeps going, and going and I think I'll stop here and 'admire the view'

After admiring for a while I continue and get to the top. What a view!

Across the ridge the road descends steeply, taking us towards Palmerston, we could ride there, then follow the main road up the valley. That would be easiest and the road is probably not too busy. I choose to stay on the back road. Gravel, back up a hill. Sau Keng is happy either way - her trike has a motor. I like the views and the quiet and want more hill riding as preparation for the big hill when we leave Queenstown.

It's very pretty and peaceful. Our road has plenty more ups and downs, but none anywhere near as high as before. We stop for lunch, this is so comfortable, I could sleep here.

Getting close, we could go onto the main road here too, but again choose the back roads. This one is extreme. Grass in the middle!

Five km to go. Main road or back road. This time Sau Keng chooses the main road. Such easy riding... Just outside Dunback is a historical bridge, very well made originally I am sure. I'm just curious - can bridges like this be repaired or would it have to be totally rebuilt?

Dunback, here is our hotel. We explore a little then return.

Dunback school gate - where is the school?

Dunback Hotel

Rob arrives shortly after us and lets us in. This is an interesting place. Cluttered but not dirty. I expect some of the clutter is because work is being done elsewhere in the building. Some. Not all. The garden and pot plants are doing very well. There is a good gardener here.

Our room, so dark!

Lounge 1, near our room

Lounge 2, leading to the bar

Outside in the back yard

Rob and Liz, the owners, are very talkative and friendly. They have made dinner for us (and themselves) and we share the meal together. Liz is interested in history and tells us lots about the region, I hope I remember at least some of it.

Early night tonight - following our host's example.

Statistics

Distance 35 km

Climbed 582 m

Time 2:48