Lake Hawea to Glendhu Bay

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Day 73: Lake Hawea to Wanaka (26km)


Di very kindly dropped us off at the cafe in Lake Hawea with our day packs so we we could have a coffee before our leisurely stroll back in to town. The walk along the river was lovely. Very quiet but with stunning views of the mountains (and the large lifestyle blocks along the way!). 

    Infront of Lake Hawea. 










We stopped at Albert Town for lunch at an amazing cafe called Pembrook Patisserie. Roger was so impressed that he is now thinking this could become his local! As it is only 5km to our new house it quite possibly could be! 

After lunch we carried on along the river and then took a sneaky short cut up to our plot of land as we had arranged to meet our contact from GJ Gardner (who are building our house) there. Our shortcut did involve climbing over two fences so probably not one we will adopt moving forward but it was good to try and find a quicker route! 

We had a very good meeting with GJG and it was great to see the building footprint on the grass. It is all starting to become very real. And very exciting!! 

           Standing at the “front” of the house - looking towards the road.

                                  And again, at the front.  

Standing near the back of the house, looking forwards 

Looking off to the side (near the back, where the deck will be) 

Looking slightly left and forwards (builder’s cabin on neighbour’s plot)

We left our new “home-to-be” and made our way down to the river to get us back on to the Te Araroa trail. It also allowed me the opportunity to see how far it would be for me to walk down for a swim - 1.5km to be exact! One of my aspirations for once we move is that I will get in to swimming…..we’ll see…..

Once back on the track we were soon walking along the lakeside and enjoying more great views as we headed back towards Wanaka centre. 





Along this stretch was another milestone for us. 2000km! We are now officially 2/3rds of the way through our venture! 

We diverted off the track and made our way back to Di and Tim’s house in time for beer and crisps. 

It was really good to walk around what will be our local area, try out new “local cafes” and to go to where our house is going to be. 

An easy and mellow walk today but still a very interesting day. 



Day 74: Wanaka to Glendhu Bay (15km) 

As the Te Araroa Trail follows the Glendhu Bay track which is for mountain bikes as well as walkers, we decided to ride this short section.


Di and Tim kindly lent us a couple of bikes and we rode from their house…..in to town for breakfast!! 


Once breakie was over we took on the serious business of riding to Glendhu Bay. 


It started off really well with a smooth track and easy gradient. However, all that was to change and I found some of it quite hard! I fell off on one hairpin bend (but fortunately was going so slowly I did not hurt myself!) and was seen to be walking  a few other bits. 


However, the views of Lake Wanaka, the Sticky Forest and many mountains made up for all of it and it was not long before we reached Glendhu Bay. 










Once there we rode a little bit further to go and have a look at the Bike Glendhu mountain bike park and cafe (and yes, another excuse for Roger to have a coffee and cake!). 



We decided to ride back to Wanaka along the road - safer, easier and quicker all round. We were back in town in time for lunch and then bought food for the next leg of our trip. 





A pretty cruisy day. We covered 15km of the trail which was good to do but mostly hung out with Di and Tim which was much more fun. 




 

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