Thursday 10th Dec
Really bad nights sleep well no sleep. Left as late as I could this morning and set off to do the Lindis pass back to Oamaru. It was boiling hot with a strong wind. I passed 5 dams on the way the first one being at Clyde and the lake it created seemed to go on forever. I came across another gnarly looking trail with the usual warning signs about not being suitable for normal traffic and it looked very inviting but seeing as my rear tyre was lacking in the tread department I had to argue with my self for a while trying to convince myself  to take the track not the road but sadly common sense prevailed and I took the road. When I reached the Lindis pass the temperature had dropped and it looked like I was in for a soaking but thankfully not. Scatterd along the road side were rows of wild lupins from pale pink to vibrant purple, they looked very out of place amongst the green and browns. It also reminded me of the Monty Python sketchand it was ages before the annoying tune of the sketch stopped playing in my head. It was not to far to Oamaru and I stopped only for a cuppa and had lunch in Oamaru before meeting up with Craig and Blanch. We had a great evening they cooked a good old fashioned roast dinner and Mark and Nikki came over later for a few beers. Craig tried to talk Mark into joining us on the ride up to and through Molesworth Station and back round and through the Rainbow. But he was to busy and no matter how hard we tried there was no budging him.
 
Friday 11th Dec
Took my bike in to get the tyres done but the front had not arrived so they have fitted the rear and hopefully the front will be in later and they can do it tomorrow. It's not the end of the world as the front still has a few miles left on it unlike the rear tyre. Once the bike was done I went to visit John Munro and had a very interesting time chatting with him, so many stories and not enough time to hear them all, I also got to look through his fathers scrap books and photo albums it would be good to come back this way again if I get the time and spend some more time with John. Later in the evening I met Sam Craig and Blanches son, he has given me some good tips for a route back up through to Auckland. More home cooked food and a few beers and another very  good evening.

Saturday 12th Dec
Weather was a bit chilli this morning but dry and not to windy. Craig and I went for a short ride around today first stop was the lookout over Oamaru and then on to Elephant rock. Followed by a lazy afternoon. Followed by another good evening. Craig and I are heading north tomorrow to ride the Molesworth Station trail to  meet up with Darryl to then ride back across the Rainbow Station trail.