Thursday 17 March - St. Patrick's Day

Where we had lunch after our ride...worry, cannot seem to get photos of correct order...grrrrr

St. Patrick's Day!

Kia Ora,

Em made us breakfast, and while the rain stopped it was cool and drizzly.  Off we went with five of us riding today.  After 5K we hit the big hill, almost immediately in our lowest climbing gears.  Tough, tough time but we made it as the drizzle increased.  Rain gear, but we kept on and stopped for coffee at 20K.  Long story short, we were all pleased to complete today’s 60 k, get in the van and stay there except for lunch.  Now we are near Dunedin, staying at Larnach Castle...gorgeous place with more than one hundred years of history.  Dinner in a few minutes, and I’m sure we will learn more.  I signed up for venison!  Mimi will add.  In the morning we have breakfast here, then our group disperses in Dunedin, except for Aussie Greg, who will be with us for one more day. Tomorrow, Mimi may go to library to listen to current owner of Lanarch Castle give a talk; Saturday we hope to go out to the Albatross ad seal colonies on the tip of the Otago Peninsula. Possible rugby game at the big Dunedin stadium!!

Massage for Mimi? She’s still hoping!

Later this evening...dinner was fabulous, served in a wonderful former formal tearoom.  Our only regret is that we sat with several other people and were unable to talk to our group. Hopefully at breakfast, we will be able to do that before we all go our separate ways.

ps  For fellow riders, I do have some good photos of dinner at Larnach Castle, but did not put them in because Em is in them and asked not to be in the blogs. Let me know if you would like to see them.

Tough ride for us today. We rested at Matai Falls. Made the other climbs.

Leaving in light rain

Denny crossing the bridge

They are asking us what we are doing out in this weather!

Love those pies!

About the second pig I've seen and he/she was very friendly!

Hmmmmmm........

Teapotland!

Greg changing after ride

Arrival! We were soaked to the bone.    61K

Stylin'.
Check out the faces on the two ladies sitting down! The guy was holding a baby and every once in a while would reach back and pull up his pants.

Arriving in Dunedin after hour and a half van ride. I dozed most of the way.

Arriving at Larnach Castle and Lodge

Precarious parking

The 'stables' now the breakfast nook for those staying in the Lodge

Beautiful fern tree

View from one of our windows - We were in the Pink room

Another view from room

Emptying the van...sigh....

View from the loo

Outside of the stables

The Lodge where we stayed

awwwwww

Larnach Castle

Connecting walkway and cafe/ballroom

Beautiful gardens

View from tower

Inside of cafe/ballroom. Balls are still held here twice a year. There are also weddings etc..., as you can imagine!

Well where some inebriated young man decided many moons ago to drop a canon. It was retrieved many years later.

Ending the week with a toast (or two!)

Chocolate cake...lemon pudding