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MACKS MEANDER
  • Linda McKinlay

MACKS MEANDER

3 or 4 sleep till we head of on another Southern adventure. I'm hoping we'll get away Tuesday evening and maybe stay at Ardmore Wings. That way we won't have to fight the traffic on Wednesday morning. Doing the clothes pack today. Very excited. Read more
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  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    111

    Day FOURTY

    March 23, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Cromwell is looking spectacular!!. Great to be riding with Sharon and Grant today and my pic"s are all about that. Our aim was to ride the Dunstan trail to about half way to the floating cafe where we had great expectations of a nice big coffee and a finger lick'n yummy bacon butty. The boys had expeienced this gastonomical delight when doing the trail 2 years ago. We set off fairly early as we expected the trail and the cafe to be busy owing to it being Otago Anniversary Weekend. Anyway blow me down when we reached the Cafe we were sorely disappointed to find it was closed. How rude, on a holiday weekend!!!🤔 So we turned around to do the return ride and made for our second option which was the Carrick Vinyard.
    You'll see by the photos how popular this place is and what a beautiful setting and I'm pleased to report the coffee and cheese scone were worth waiting for. 😋After a stop at the Cromwell laundromat we came home for a coffee and a refreshing swim. Yep I have photos to prove it 😨 🙂 Driver has his chef cap on again tonight and has agreed to set up the BBQ and do sausages for 4. 👏    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FOURTY ONE

    March 24, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Quiet day. Rode to Historic Cromwell for coffee this morning 40mins each way. Long weekend for folk around these parts, and a monthly market, so as we expected it was very busy. Sun shinning so an enjoyable ride. More tomorrow.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FOURTY TWO

    March 25, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    We were expecting a wet day today and so we didnt plan an activity, but the sun has come out as a nice suprise. Unfortunately it has brought strong gusty winds which spoil the sun and are a pain 💨
    Just one small period of excitement when the smoke alarm went off this morning prompting a visit from both sets of neighbours. 🙀Visitors for morning coffee called for my famous cheese scones. Unfortunately last time the oven was used, something apparently fell onto the gas jet in the oven un noticed causing some smoke. No damage done and scones were pretty acceptable.. This afternoon a trip to Cromwell laundromat and Supermarket completed the day's activities. Oh and we moved our motorhome to a space that became available next to the Wrights, so that's very nice. Sharon's Master Chef for tonight's dinner. Great to have a break from meal planning. My turn on a couple of days to try and out do her. 🤔    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FOURTY THREE

    March 26, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    A trip to Wanaka was the highlight of the day. On the way we stopped at Luggate to check out the Miller's sections and to suss out our Friday over night park. It's nice and close to the airport ready for an early arrival at the gate on opening for the airshow Saturday. Wanaka was packed with tourists which is really good for the town. I hope they're all spending up large. 🤑There are a lot of changes both roading and building development since our last visit which was interest to see.. We parked at Eely Point and rode to Waterfall Creek (Leah) stopping of course at Edgewater Hotel for coffee and scones. ☕️ It was a nice ride with awesome company (gotta say that) but boy was it blowing a gale along the town side of the lake. Driving into town we got quite a suprise to see snow on the mountains. No wonder that wind was so icey 🧊 I couldn't resist a photo with sis at the famous 'Wanaka Tree'. I've seen a few 'Lilliput tiny Libraries', but this is the first 'dog stick library'. Notice how low the level of the lake is. (Last pic)Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FOURTY FOUR

    March 27, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    The photo shows the highlight of the day 😋
    Steaks bought at a butcher shop in Wanaka cooked to perfection 🥩
    We woke to rain and cold temperature so a very nothing day. Though the sun did chase the clouds away eventually and we are hoping for a brighter day and some activity tomorrow 🫰Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FOURTY FIVE

    March 28, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Another cold wet miserable morning to wake up to ☹️ Hot scones made by sis for morning tea cheered us up though ☕️ A trip to Cromwell to top up the pantry revealed these snow capped hills not visible from camp ☃️Decided to treat ourselves to a Thai Curry for lunch. The restaurant had been highly praised by the Wrights. We weren't disappointed. 😋 Our turn to host dinner tonight so 'Driver/Leader/Chef' will be busy manning the bbq again cooking the fillings for our burgers. 🍔 folliwed by a trumpet icecream.🍦 That should satisfy everyone.🤞Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FOUTY SIX

    March 29, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    A much milder day today with no wind. After a hot cross bun for morning tea we set off for Cromwell where we met Sharon and Grant prior to doing a 9km easy lakeside ride to Carrick Vineyard for lunch. We were so taken with this place when we stopped there for coffee last week that we just had to go back and sample their pizza. You can see by the photo it was pretty good.
    We weren't the only ones with this idea. There were lots of riders and families who had arrived by car doing the same thing. The setting is so gorgeous it really draws you back. So now we are parked up opposite the airfield and eagerly awaiting the show tomorrow and also to having the Mahoneys company. After arriving here this afternoon there were quite a few fly overs by a few of the aircraft so we feel the show has already begun. The developer of the new subdivision where Leah and Joe have a couple of sections has very kindly allowed us to park on his paddock facing the road and airport. We will leave our motorhomes here tomorrow and walk about 10mins to the entrance gate. Very convenient.    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FOURTY SEVEN

    March 30, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Today was very much about Warbirds over Wanaka and Grants 70th and what a day it was too. We were woken about 6am by traffic and voices. By 6.30, I had had enough and got up to see what was going on. My word did I get a shock on looking out the window to see a huge streem of cars going very slowly passed
    The gates didn't open till 7.30 for a 10am show so I was rather suprised to see so much traffic so early. My curiosity satisfied I went back to my nice warm bed to wait for the alarm to go off at 7.15. As it happened I couldn't settle so by 7am we were both up and having breakfast. Crazy! Just around 8am it was decided Driver and I would walk over and set up a good viewing spot since we were ready. So that's what we did. Warm jacket, gloves and wooly hat were needed for that hour of the morning but it wasn't long before the layers were being peeled off. It turned out to be a cracker of a day perfect for an air show. So cool having the Mahoneys company and to share the excitement of which there was plenty. And "yes" we'll be back.
    Random photos. Plenty of food stands and variety of food. Not enough coffee trucks. Relaxing by our motorhome after a big day. Sharon and I have been discussing the fascinating cloud formations down here and another gorgeous sunset.    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FOURTY EIGHT

    March 31, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    This morning we said a very sad goodbye to Sharon and Grant and after a laundry stop in Cromwell drove through to Alexander where we plan to stay for 3 nights. Today I realised I didnt tell you anything about the air show programme yesterday so here goes. It was full on non stop entertainment from 10 till 4. But we got a bit extra with planes flying over our camp site till early evening. There were exciting American jets breaking the sound barrier. They can fly to Christchurch in 6 mins. A group of paratroopers trailing coloured smoke,
    Lots of heart stopping aerobatics with smoke, a line up of helicopters did a choreographed display showing how flexible they are, a glider even did a loop leaving a trail of smoke and there was a mock battle with big guns and explosions. The commentary was really interesting with nice clear sound. Excellent entertainment which has us planning a trip to the Wairarapa next year for 'Wings over Wairarapa'.
    This afternoon we unloaded the bikes and rode 27km doing a loop which goes along the river into Clyde and then along a trail back to our Motorhome. A pretty ride but quite demanding at times on account of rocky surface blind corners and idiots going fast in the opposite direction. 😬
    Phewww that was a lot of reading!!!°    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FOURTY NINE

    April 1, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    A bit of low cloud hung around this morning making the coffee stop a bit chilly for the Ozzie ladies we were talking to. Didn't bother the driver and I too much. We were just happy to find a cafe open. The first we tried was full with a que and several others were closed. This afternoon we unhitched the bikes and tackled the Roxborough Gorge 22km return cycle trail. This is a spectacular ride following the Clutha River. The start of the ride passes through a forest of poplars then enters the narrow gorge. The ride takes you between soaring cliffs of schist rock up to 350m high. It's a fascinating ride with remnants of the gold rush clearly visible including wee shelters cut into the rock. There's quite a lot of zig zagging and hill climbs 🥵 and you have to take great care watching out for incoming traffic on the many blind corners. 🫣 Only one point I wanted to turn back as we had to dismount and walk a very narrow track with a sheer drop straight down to the river. 😟 Anyway I did enjoy the ride and certainly the scenery and returned back to the motorhome safe and sound. 🥳 And by the time we returned the sun was shin🌞 Enjoy my photos and the video taken for a bit of fun.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    11

    CRIKEY DAY FIFTY

    April 2, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    A day of two halves. After in house coffee we set off to explore the conservation area of Flat Top Hill and the Butcher Dam and reservoir lake. Its about 8km south of Alex. We have passed it many times and noticing how popular it is, I have been intrigued. It is a very dramatic rocky landscape where gold mining took place and then a dam built and reservoir/lake formed to feed water into Alex. The water is now used for irrigation. A point of interest is that a hotel is under the lake and when the water level gets low the chimneys can be seen. Actually as you will see in the photos the water level is pretty low now. There are several walking tracks of various lengths among the sculptural schist rock. I love the diversity of the rocky shapes and its such a contrast to the beautiful lush green countryside of Southland or the gorgeous native bush, waterfalls and bird life of the Catlins area that we have enjoyed. The track we took was about an hour and a bit in length including lots of stopping and a short diversion to climb to a high point for a long range view of Alexander. After the walk we found a spot to park by the lake and took a break to eat lunch and rest before tackling the next adventure. It has been a fantastic day weather wise and we feel very spoilt. Part two to come. BTW Driver is wearing so many hats now that I will revert to calling him by name. 😊Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    1111

    FIFTY X 2

    April 2, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    So in the afternoon we explored the Bridge Hill area of Alexander
    We have never been up on the hill before and didn't realise what a large housing area it is.
    I am fascinated in the way houses incorporate the natural rock into their landscape or even the build of their homes. We meandered around two small lakes and through a lovely reserve containing dozens of trees collected from around the world by the couple who established the park. We enjoyed our gentle wander through these quiet peaceful areas.
    I spotted another Lilliput Library. These are popping up all over, but I can't always photograph.
    We are now enjoying our 5th night in a row of freedom camping. This time beside Lake Dunstan just outside of Clyde. The sun was still very warm when we arrived that the lake proved tempting enough for a QUICK dip. Probably be the last for the season. It wasn't exactly warm.🥶 Tomorrow we start heading north. First stop Lake Ohau or Tekapo    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    4

    DAY FIFTY ONE

    April 3, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Did I mention that our neighbors last night were from Gulf Harbour? We have met a lot of people from 'home'. Today we drove from Clyde to Lake Tekapo where we are staying in a 'Wings' camp for a couple of nights. First a coffee stop at Tarras, where a helicopter made me smile by coming down to land on the small patch of grass right beside the road. That's called 'dropping in' for coffee. Then it was on to Lake Ohau where we checked out the fire damage before parking up for lunch. Next was a very nice easy relaxing ride meandering part way along the end of the lake. It was pretty cold starting off but by the time we returned an hour and a half later the sun was shinning. Unfortunately though the wind had arrived causing the lovley calm lake to become a surf beach. It was good to have a less challenging ride than the last couple we have done
    Now looking at the very low lake level of Tekapo. Seems there hasn't been enough snow melt to fill it. Hope for a good cold winter this year to refill it
    Photo 2 is a Pou standing guard over the lake.
    6. This Troll gave me a fright.
    7. First view of Mt cook
    8. From our motorhome now    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    1

    DAY FIFTY TWO

    April 4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    A stunning 21 degrees in Tekapo this morning. We walked into the village, (on a path that winds around the lake from our camp site) for coffee and excersice. The place was heaving with tourists. As I've said before I am so pleased for our tourist towns that the visitors are back!!!! Thought about doing a ride this afternoon but after a decent walk this morning, we decided to pack up and move on to our present park in Ealing just south of Ashburton. Unfortunatley we are not sitting outside in the sunshine as it is a wet 11 degrees
    Tomorrow we will head over the Arthur's Pass.
    Photos 4 and 5 show how low the lake is. Note the line of Willows.
    6 a clever reflective photo 7 & 8 for fun.    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    1

    DAY FIFTY THREE

    April 5, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Two parts to the day again today. Rocks and Caves. First we had to get to the rocks. Left our spot in Ealing in cold foggy mist and headed towards Porters Pass stopping at Shefield for a couple of their famous pies, then Springfield for a photo of the donut. Spotted the old engine thing chugging along heading to Ashburton for the Wheat and Wheels festival. By the time we got to Kura Tawhiti conservation area the sun was shining and we were able to join the throng of tourists walking among the rock formation. Schist Rock in Alexander and lime stone here. Sorry if you get bored with all the rock photos but it is a very cool place. 🥱 If you zoom in photo 5 you'll see a line of people making their way up the path and if you zoom photo 12 you'll see the car park WAY down there 😁Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    AND CAVES

    April 5, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    From Kura Tawhiti we drove about 6km up the road to Cave Stream. (Not Cave Creek) An almost 600mtr long Cave with an underground stream going through it. It takes about an hour to walk/crawl through if you don't mind wet dark spaces and are brave enough. When we arrived, a large group of college kids were walking up the path having just come out of the Cave. Would love to have been at the exit point when they emerged. The video is the recommended exit and Roger said there is a heavy chain in the wall to help climb out. From there we continued up Porters Pass a little way to Lake Pearson Doc camping spot where we sat in the sun and relaxed till the temperature started to cool down and it was time to think about dinner. Just a scratchy meal tonight so we thought we'd have a treat Also from Shefields 'world famous' pie shop😋Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    1

    DAY FIFTY FOUR

    April 6, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We moved on from Lake Pearson up and over Arthur's Pass to Hokitika stopping at Arthur's Pass village for a walk around. We haven't stopped here previously and were suprised at the many photo opportunities 😁. Lots of people there gearing up to hike the trails. Heaps of notices around about the Kea. Wee church with a great waterfall view from the main window. No nead for stained glass. Natural beauty instead. The boot on the memorial was cast from an actual boot from one of the dead climbers. Lots of abandoned tramping huts in town. A cute Post Office. Stopped at Arthurs Pass summit lookout and were thrilled to see 5 cheeky Kea smiling for cameras. I enjoyed the drive over the 2 passes. Very different landscapes but both very picturesque. Now set up at Wings Hokitika. It's a very nice coastal site. Lovley, calm day today and same tomorrow would suit us fine.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FIFTY FIVE

    April 7, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Woke to a perfect cycling day so decided to head to Treetops Cafe for lunch. But first a lie in, cause it was 'clocks back' morning, then a lovingly cooked breakfast.
    We have been to Tree Tops previously and done the tree tops walk so it was just a food visit this time. What a gorgeous ride we had. Mostly through beautiful bush with bird song for company. We have really been spoilt with the weather on this trip and hope the rain stays away bit longer. Tomorrow off to Reefton for 1 night via the laundromat in Greymouth to do a mountain of washing..🙃
    1. There is soo much driftwood on the beach that they have a competition each year for driftwood sculptures. Some remain along the foreshore.
    4. This boat was shipwrecked many many years ago.
    6 etc photos from our cycle today.    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FIFTY SIX

    April 8, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Hokitika to Reefton via Blackball. Not much to report today except we have decided next time we're down to revisit Blackball. This time it was just a drive through, next time a stopover. A fascinating place with lots of coal mining history. Also famous for salami which we bought and sausages which we didn't. Farrow and New World stock their products. It was good to see the town has some sprucing up activity happening with a lovely new kids play ground toilets and picnic area and a mining monument was being installed when we drove past. The Paparoa Great Walks Track starts or finishes here so I think that has helped lift the town. We discovered there are several short hikes that can be done from town also. Some of you will recognize the couple I bumped into while waiting for the loo. You can't hide in NZ. 🫣 another night water side freedom camping. This time by a river.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FIFTY SEVEN.

    April 9, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Reefton to Maruia Springs today. A walk along Reeftons Main Street. (only street really) I love Reefton and the fact they have smartened up the town and made something of its heritage. It's very cool.
    1. The scone was a bit doughy but check out the cutlery. 2. signage made me smile. 3. We've seen so many towns with the pies claiming 'best pies' competition fame but I love this one, just pure and simple the 'better' pie. 9. Zoom in to see the beautiful gold lettering on this lamp.    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    1

    DAY FIFTY EIGHT

    April 10, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Maruia Springs to Murchison. We enjoyed Maruia Springs. What a great idea of Roger's to give ourselves an overnight treat. A camp site, gourmet 3 course dinner for 2, flash breakfast for 2, unlimited use of pools and saunas and nice hot long showers. It was great except for the misty rain which prevented us from walking the nearby tracks. I do want you to notice the beautiful net curtain at the door of the Motorhome in photo 4. On the way to Murchison we stopped at these falls. Not much happening here except I was hoping to go to the Buller Gorge which is close by, as there is an adventure park with walks zip line swing bridge jet boat rides gold panning etc. But due to the weather I think that will be going g on the list for next time. On our walk through town today we saw and heard several Kea. One of them was on a car having a peck at the wipers. Naughty boyRead more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY FIFTY NINE

    April 11, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    Murchison to Motueka where we are waiting out the rain 🌧☔️ so we can ride 🚲 🚲 Seems it could take a few days. That'll test the effectiveness of our solar system .🤔 no travel news or photos today but a bit of Gossip instead. A chap we got talking to in Maruia was telling us that the Doctor thought poor old John Travolta had Covid. 🤒 Turned out it was just Saturday Night Fever 🤣😂 I know, a terrible 'Dad Joke'.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY SIXTY.

    April 12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    60 days, gosh that sounds a significant milestone!!!!
    Rained hard last night and we had stong winds rocking our abode a bit but nothing to be frightened of. Woke this morning to grey skies but at least dry. Roger announced rain was coming at 1pm (according to his trusty forcaster) so after nice hot scone and coffee it was decided a walk was in order. Behind camp there is a nice pathway leading into town. Roger needed Mitre 10 and I needed a chemist and we were both keen to visit a bike shop. Got home just as the rain was starting again. Well timed.👏 A ride is planned for tomorrow as there is a good trail passing our gate.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY SIXTY ONE

    April 13, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Another house bound, wet day in Motueka and sooo much to do 🌧☔️😠 The Burgers we made for dinner being the highlight of the day. 🍔 Expecting better weather tomorrow 🤞

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY SIXTY TWO

    April 14, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Yahhhh woke to a dry morning and the sun trying to shine. Contrary to Roger's trusty weather forecast it hasn't rained yet. Took the bikes of the rack and did a very nice ride to Riwaka. 20km return so a short one because we are trying to save the batteries for a long ride tomorrow. Most of the trail followed the very pretty estuary where this shipwreck lies.. lots of people out walking and stretching their legs after being house bound for a few days. Hope you will notice that the half price car is actually half a car. Suited my sense of humour so deserved a photo. We are in a 'Wings' camp and behind us is a very nice inner estuary/lake with lots of walking paths around it which we explored this afternoon. Actually if you like walking or cycling I recommend staying here. The pantry is bare and no shopping till Monday so its take away night tonight and no dishes. 🥳Read more

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