Te Araroa 11/01/26

Day 112, Powerhouse Lodge to Methven

Lake Coleridge Billiards and Social Club was open last night and we were invited up by our hosts. I think the whole population of Lake Coleridge was there, including children. A good evening.

Powerhouse Lodge 

The rain didn't arrive until the morning when Pete, Dean and Hayden, another young Kiwi, got the Shuttle to Methven.

The Brown Pub 

The Rakaia River is not safe to cross so part of the trail is this bypass, it also allowed me to restock and have a days rest away from the weather.

Methven cross roads

The serious rain and wind was all on the west side of the mountains and by the time we arrived in Methven the sun was shining, in fact it got unbearably hot by the middle of the day until a thunderstorm arrived and it became pleasant again.

After the thunderstorm 

Methven is a ski resort so not very busy at this time of year. There are some hot pools here but I didn't visit, it would have been an anticlimax after the little one in the hills.

Hotel balcony

I stayed at The Brown Pub where I found the kilted American 'sky high' who was also waiting out the weather. I also met up with Charlie and Shaskia again which surprised me as I thought they were several days ahead.

Running repairs

The hotel is a fine old building with a covered balcony at the front overlooking the main cross roads in the center of the town and after doing my shopping I sat there for a while sewing up various rips, tears and holes in my rucksack. I probably should have bought a new one for the trip.

Another Irish Pub

I decided to eat at the Irish Pub as it seemed to have a good menu, it's also a bit of a theme for this walk!