Sometimes been forced to slow down and stop is a good thing, I’m fighting the internal voices in my head saying it’s OK not been able to cycle something else will come along and you’ll be grand.
My delightful bus driver was so helpful in dropping people at their hotel door and he was full of joy when he got to dump the cyclist out at the bus stop – at this point the ‘awkward little bollox’ in me came out made sure I took every bit of luggage out and left it all over the shop behind his bus, perfect timing some old dear caught him in a conversation long enough for me to saddle up Beyonce throw my leg over her and with a cheery wave and a glint of Fuck you in my smile I bid him a lovely afternoon – what goes around comes around my friend, two can play that game.
After settling into my digs I walk back into town for some provisions and on the way back I got caught at the lake front taking in the afternoon sunshine with a beer. Now I’m not too sure if it was the beer or what it was but I found myself stripping down to my jocks running down the jetty and leaping into the lake – precisely at the moment I jumped I though to myself ‘oh cock Doyle what have you done!’
Fresh is one word I will use – that’s when you get out and it was, it was bloody lovely so refreshing, made you feel awake and alive just what was needed after my day I had – it was great I felt like a new man! My personal target everyday was to have a swim in the lake and spend at least 20 mins standing knee deep in the water – an ice bath for my sore muscles!
Now the other words I used when I landed under water was something like ‘sweet mother of fuckin Christ that’s bloody feckin freezin’ but you’ll be glad to know this was all underwater so my choice language could not be heard, but I know the cute girl reading her book could tell it was cold – note to self tight fitting Calvin’s are not the best swim wear when going into Lake Wanaka!
And so followed my days in Wanaka were very very tough, the daily Joe was in the Creek Cafe, yet another great little food empire those dam glass cabinets filled with colourful treats sweet and savoury all fresh and just tempting you to splurge your daily budget on a little something to go with the coffee. Of course my restraint was equal to the breaking strain of a Kit-Kat – well a fresh plum friand had to be had, next day hot x bun oh then a ginger and which choc cookie – I’ll stop now not for your jealously tho I just want to not be reminded how I’m spending my allocated dollars in all the wrong ways!
After that hard effort, a walk along the lake to think about dinner taking in the beautiful autumnal colours which seem to be changing daily – its not a long walk I’m sure with a bit of a march on you could do it in 20/30 mins but in rpd world – easily 80 minutes well come on what’s the rush anyway I always found someone else’s dog to play fetch with while the owner would tell me how the came to Wanaka for a week holiday and X months/years later they moved here to live.
It’s the Wanaka’ed effect you see the place engulfs you into unbelievable beauty you spend hours taking it in.
To awaken you from this dream like land you need to dive in off the pier and see if from your first deep gulp of fresh cool air its intoxicating – I tell you all now, forget your ‘100 must do lists’ but if you end up in Wanaka by chance – jump in the lake!
After when you’ve warmed up and the tackle has forgiven you, a quick mosey along to the shops try and remember what the dinner list was but it’s hopeless your memory is slowly letting go of the Wanaka’ed effect and refuses to deal with any tasks you ask it. So you end up trying to dig out a bargain, the usual quick hopeful scan of the tinned fish section to see if the ever elusive tin of crab might be found amongst the aisles of tuna and nope still looking for it! So a bag of green lipped muscles (which look like they’ve been on a steroids they are so big) which are going cheap is looking very appealing. A chat with the man on the counter fresh that day and It’s because they have too many barnacles on them so at 5 bucks It’s a no brainer, a few bobby beans a bit of salad and some cream – cheap dinner! that jar of Thai paste is still going and knocking out wicked tastes, so with a touch of cream over the muscles ‘it’s gonna make your Bollox tingle’!
I then take a lazy walk back to the hostel with a cold beer a seat with a view of the lake and a scrubbin brush you kick back and watch the sun drop behind the mountains – dinners going to be done in a jiffy and with a book a bottle of nz sav blanc that will round off the day – yea Wanaka its shite!
Three day plan-out the window It’s now seven days later and a tentative 40k ride on Beyonce I find out that I’m healed in the head, but the knees are still fucked! Now add to the list, a broken heart because you know not only the bus is waiting but your leaving a wonderland.
I’ve been well and truly Wanaka’ed!
the bean hunter 