30/12/21, Day 70, 27km, Total 1780km
Elevation Gain:307, Loss: 404m
A very easy and pleasant day for my birthday.
Met Dorothy at the Hawea café for breakfast at 7.30am when they opened. Dorothy and Dennis and the cafe staff sang happy birthday to me. Thanks guys – that’s a special memory for me.
Left with our day packs (Dennis and I) at 8.15 for a walk that was totally flat to Albert Town. Found a cafe there that was close to the Trail but it had a huge queue to get in. Was worth waiting for as their food and coffee were really good. It was a Patisserie.
So refuelled we set off along the Clutha river for Wanaka. Again a totally flat easy walk in very pleasant temperatures.
We met Dorothy just before Wanaka – she has the tracking app on her phone that shows exactly where we are, and walked together to the Patagonia Chocolate place for a milk shake. Terribly over priced but nice.
Walked with Dennis and Dorothy to the caravan park to pick up my pack then to the Backpackers (the Bothy). The guy running this hostel is very supportive of TA hikers. Great to see.
Wanaka is really buzzing tonight as the Rythm and Alps concert starts tonight. So the roads, bars and accommodation places are all packed.
Enjoyed a birthday dinner of lamb shanks. Best I’ve had in a while.
Hopefully tomorrow we will walk to Glendu Bay – slack packing again.
Surfing on a man-made wave 
Great views 
Clutha River 
The Patisserie. Had to queue to get in 
Bikes are really popular here. 
Bridge jumpers 
Awesome town entrance 
Best boardwalk I’ve ever seen 
Busy main street 
Lots of food caravans 
Must be a toilet 
Excellent lamb shanks 
