Day 35: Kurow - Mt. Cook

Kaye, my host at the Glenmac farm stay near Kurow last night, gave me a couple of good tips for bike rides on the way to Mt. Cook. So after a great cooked breakfast I drove up to the Aviemore dam, one of three dams along the Waitaki river. Parked the car in a secluded spot and set off for a really nice 45 kms ride up to the Benmore Dam and back down the other side.

From there I continued northwest to Omarama for a lunch stop then north on the road towards Twizel.

Next detour was to a stunningly beautiful place - Lake Ohau - in the shadow of the Southern Alps. I drove the 24 kms to the lodge, parked up, then rode all the way back to the main road then back to the lodge. One of the most beautiful rides I've ever done. Temperature was in the high 20's, there was hardly any wind and the mountain views with the top of Mt. Cook peaking through in the distance were fantastic.

The villagers of Onau village have really got it sussed. There's no café, no shop. Nothing but luxury houses. So no tourists. And amazing views from every house.

A quick stop at Twizel before I turned up the 50 km long road up the wide, fairly flat valley to Mt. Cook. Found a decent place to stop and eat my fish and chips.

Then the final 30 minutes drive to Mt. Cook village for the usual check in, shower, wash cycling clothes, plan the next day's activities routine.

Think I got all of my Andalucian suntan back today. Scorchio!

Does anyone from South Lanarkshire remember Carluke Balls, from Russell's sweet shop in Carluke High St.?

Can't make my mind up about "panorama of the day". Should it be...

"Damorama of the day" :

"Roadarama of the day" :

"Cookarama of the day" :

My vote goes for "Bikeorama of the day"

Goodnight!