tuesday 8th feb.

yesterday cycled from wanaka to Cromwell, am now in central otago, and the climate is dry. cylce reminded me of spain arid hills and vineyards. Cromwell is a new town because old Cromwell was drowned in approx. 1988 to make way for a dam and hydroelectric developments, at the same time a lot of orchards in the area were also submerged. i did however pass fruit stalls on the side of the road, and have been glutting myself on peaches, nectarines, greengages, apricots and cherries. loads of apple and pear orchards as well. I camped at what was the old work camp built for the men building the dam, although a tourist camp sight it mainly houses the workers from the orchards and vineyards (thinning the vines at present), plus a couple of sheep shearers. Today cycled to queenstown , watched people bunjy jumping from a bridge on the way in, i have already had my share of adrenalin rush for the day by cycling through the Kawarau gorge, a narrow road with a drop on one side, with quarry lorries pulling extra loads of stones passing me , plus tourist buses with adverts for bunjy jumping on the back. Queenstown in much nicer than I expected the lake is scenic the yha has a prime position overlooking it and there are gardens etc around the lakeside. Town as expected has several macdonalds, k.F.C.,starbucks loads of alchol outlets and a kathmandu (resisted buying anything).