24 March

Two days ago I went and picked Michelle up from Manapouri. It was a lovely drive.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP6tDneq3whMtMhxQ9ckGnVAjM-lYD-KEwPQE0N
The snow was thick on the high mountains.
We came back to Gore via Bluff. I thought that we couldn't send her back to America without having seen the end/beginning of the road. As always the views from the hill were amazing, although Stewart Island was hiding.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMICXPCmsO7j7Db2d0-qcbYeGruzhp4u3exJTth
We decided that we would ride the Clutha Gold Trail from Lawrence to the Roxburgh Dam. A few months ago this would have seemed impossible to me - a two day ride in one day! And we didn't get to Lawrence until midday so we really only had the afternoon to cover the 73 km.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNOII7R4Fkh0XECqPoChpZpgQQ9iiva1yopMcfG
This is us at the beginning. Note the medal sround my neck. Michelle thought I should wear it while riding but I declined. I got the medal as I had completed the journey from Cape Reinga to Stirling Point. Thank you to the Invercargill City Council who think that it is a journey which needs to be acknowledged.
It was a lovely day for a ride. The river was slightly high and discoloured but still had its usual greenish tinge.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNl0jsYylGy7Fl_CjISakpFxr8a0Jw6UZkGs1Yl
We made the dam at 6.15 which was pretty good time really.
Then we took Michelle to Alexandra, helped set up her tent and went for dinner at Monteiths Brewery before we left her there to return to Gore.
There was wildfire puting on a spectacular display from Ettrick to Gore. I was so tired I just wanted to sleep bu then I didn't want t miss the display either. It was trying to rain when we arrived in but we didn't get wet so that was a bonus to a wonderful day.