Monday, 9 October
Methven
Yesterday afternoon, arriving in Methven after a great ride from Oxford, I suddenly decided I needed to stay a day. A couple of quick phone calls later and I’ve booked myself in for a second night at Snow Denn Lodge. What was it shifted?
There was a sense coming into town that it felt good here. The Blue Hotel standing apposite the Brown Hotel, both icons at the main street crossroads, the freshness of the air and the inviting atmosphere at the accommodation… these things, yes. But more, an abrupt feeling of simply wanting to stop. Restless, and at the same time needing to rest. Feeling, in fact, slightly adrift.
Suddenly had the sense I’m not sure what the objective is from here. Have I almost seen enough, learned enough? Where else do I need to do to round off the experience? And how to fit this around geography and schedule, and capacity to keep pedalling?
Am I talking myself into changing course?
It has been a good decision. Writing this a few days later, I now know the Geraldine Heritage Hotel, where I’d originally booked two nights, is very average. And Geraldine itself not really inspiring. Didn’t know these facts in advance, of course, but could I have somehow sensed them from the info gleaned?
This morning in Methven, then, coffee and a certain spell of forward planning, a 2-hr walk around part of the town perimeter, lunch back at Snow Denn. Then during the afternoon, a dip in the thermal pools just up the road. These are not, though, natural hot waters; rather, they’re river water heated using solar panels. A bit disappointing, really, and expensive, and Hanmer was much more the real deal. Nevertheless, a relaxing day, conversations with a fellow who had brought his kids to ski for a couple of days, and recharging.