The usual pic at the highest point of the Haka-saddle...
...and time for lunch, that we bought in Geraldine on the way up.
Things are already falling into a rhythm.
Logistics are helped along a great deal by TimSF playing banker for the group-pot (and a BIG THANKS HERE!!)
from which all common items are paid, like accom, fuel, entry fees etc. Filling up 7 bikes at a single-bowser country servo takes mere minutes, everyone helps to open and lock fuel caps, pushing bikes through to the schnozzle and out of the way afterwards.
Some of the shop-owners can’t believe their eyes.
Their apron stays clear for other traffic, 7 bikes in + out in no time and only one single bill to deal with...same for accommodation.
Roll up, strike a deal for the whole mob, pay cash... and hit the bar for more important things.... like a stone-cold pint of the good stuff.
Haka Pass, dropping towards Kurow. An easy ride, the gravel isn't too deep, nothing steep and rocky, any water crossings are short and shallow.
Just ouside Kurow we're back on a main road.
Home for the first night on the road....like most pubs at least on the South Island, the Kurow Pub is owned by one of the main breweries, which tend to display their colours prominently.
The other pub down the road is bright-orange, which could make it a Tui-owned joint. Sure makes it easy to pick where you want to stay according to what beer you favour.
All plain Berger Off-White (approx 1933 vintage by the looks of it) around the back though.
It also seems to be the Kurow Rugby Club HQ (obviously sponsored by someone else, going by the colours)
Typical country-pub décor....the classic hodge-podge.
The lounge is rumpus room and broom cupboard all at once; housing a few old TV’s (most going), a crusty-brown 1960’s kettle and the odd assortment of Bean43 sachets... there was even a bed and cot to the left somewhere.
Let’s have a look around the place, starting with that truly impressive single-lane timber bridge across the wide and fast flowing turquoise waters of the Waitaki River. And what a magnificent river it is!!
From the times when Kurow Main Street was aiming for Wall Street....
Showing the colours
Day1 in the bag!! What a cracker!
...and time for lunch, that we bought in Geraldine on the way up.
Things are already falling into a rhythm.
Logistics are helped along a great deal by TimSF playing banker for the group-pot (and a BIG THANKS HERE!!)
from which all common items are paid, like accom, fuel, entry fees etc. Filling up 7 bikes at a single-bowser country servo takes mere minutes, everyone helps to open and lock fuel caps, pushing bikes through to the schnozzle and out of the way afterwards.
Some of the shop-owners can’t believe their eyes.
Their apron stays clear for other traffic, 7 bikes in + out in no time and only one single bill to deal with...same for accommodation.
Roll up, strike a deal for the whole mob, pay cash... and hit the bar for more important things.... like a stone-cold pint of the good stuff.
Haka Pass, dropping towards Kurow. An easy ride, the gravel isn't too deep, nothing steep and rocky, any water crossings are short and shallow.
Just ouside Kurow we're back on a main road.
Home for the first night on the road....like most pubs at least on the South Island, the Kurow Pub is owned by one of the main breweries, which tend to display their colours prominently.
The other pub down the road is bright-orange, which could make it a Tui-owned joint. Sure makes it easy to pick where you want to stay according to what beer you favour.
All plain Berger Off-White (approx 1933 vintage by the looks of it) around the back though.
It also seems to be the Kurow Rugby Club HQ (obviously sponsored by someone else, going by the colours)
Typical country-pub décor....the classic hodge-podge.
The lounge is rumpus room and broom cupboard all at once; housing a few old TV’s (most going), a crusty-brown 1960’s kettle and the odd assortment of Bean43 sachets... there was even a bed and cot to the left somewhere.
Let’s have a look around the place, starting with that truly impressive single-lane timber bridge across the wide and fast flowing turquoise waters of the Waitaki River. And what a magnificent river it is!!
From the times when Kurow Main Street was aiming for Wall Street....
Showing the colours
Day1 in the bag!! What a cracker!