In search of a Flat White

[smoky]

... I have ridden most of the north island roads. But prefer the south island roads.

You don't like cornering then?

[FJRider]

You don't like cornering then?

Look on google earth... the Wanaka Haast road and see ...


and notice how much traffic is seen in my pic's...

[smoky]

Look on google earth... the Wanaka Haast road and see ...

been there - last March
Just having a laugh, but you have to admit you need to do a bit more cornering when riding in the North Island

[FJRider]

been there - last March
Just having a laugh, but you have to admit you need to do a bit more cornering when riding in the North Island

Been there yesterday ...

all that cornering to avoid the campervans you mean ... ???

[smoky]

Been there yesterday ...

all that cornering to avoid the campervans you mean ... ???

Yeah there is that, but there's a hell of a lot more choice of alternative routes up here - I get off the main roads and ride the twister back roads with less traffic

[JATZ]

Sooo...... Is the coffee at Jacksons bay worth the trip ? I understand the fish 'n' chips are pretty good

[FJRider]

Sooo...... Is the coffee at Jacksons bay worth the trip ? I understand the fish 'n' chips are pretty good

The Coffee's good .. and yes, the fish is fresh ...

All in all ... well worth the trip in to get.

[FJRider]

It was not as hot here today, but I decided the search should for the perfect flat white should go on.\

But to where ... ???

South seemed to be an idea ... and with no actual destination in mind ... I was away.

The Beaumont pub for lunch ??? Locked doors put a stop on that idea. But I took the turn and headed down the river. (the Clutha to those that don't know the area) Got to Clydevale and turned right again. And onto highway one just south of Clinton. "A strong southerly" encouraged me to head north. Tail winds are always good. Traffic was light ... even for the big red one (highway one) plenty of bikes heading south...

The "Riveria of the south" came and went ... on to Clarksville, the up (through Manuka gully) to Lawrence for a coffee stop.

8 out of 10 for the coffee ... same score for the waitress ...

The photo's show the roads through to Clinton ...

[FJRider]

These shots show the Manuka gully .... well liked by any (most) motorcyclists that pass through it. The pipe work in the secondlast photo, in the old water supply for the steam trains ... the old rail line is on the edge of this part of the gorge.

[Coldrider]

Got a week between the Magpie & the Burt to find the elusive flat white in Central Otago myself. I've noticed, (due to the recession no doubt) the cafes don't even give a cinnimon teddy on the saucer anymore.

[FJRider]

I've noticed, (due to the recession no doubt) the cafes don't even give a cinnimon teddy on the saucer anymore.

mmmmmm ... I have noticed that ...

[YellowDog]

Bugger the scenery - didja find a perfect flat white?

BTW - it's not necessarily a good thing finding a great coffee. I had the best flat white ever, a few years ago at a bakery next to Queen Vic market in Melbourne. Since then, every coffee has been somewhat of a disappointment. The vifferbabe even went back a few months later to the same place and said the coffee wasn't the same.

Same here. I use to have a girlfriend with a house in the bay of st. tropez.
Best coffee with a great kick to it all the time.

I now hate coffee and spend all my time trying to get a good one.

I hear it's something to do with the Kiwi water. Far too pure and clean to produce a good coffee.

[junkmanjoe]

Ill have to say,
the coffie cart in taupo just south of the fire station, lake side.

dam nice cupper, and very friendly lady as well....i had to have two..

ill call back there again.

Also a tidy smaller coffie cart in sanson, makes a mean flat white too..
also happy for a chat...

JMJ

[vifferman]

The destination ... not as important as the journey ...

Hmmmm....
Yes and no.
I find a ride - enjoyable as it may be - kinda hollow and pointless unless I have either a purpose or a destination. Yesterday I went for the first ride in ages, to visit my sisters in Ararimu. The motorway bit was ho-hum, but I had a lot of fun from the ride from Drury to Hunua. So much so that I 'missed' the turnoff to my sister's house and went the long way round. It added about 15 to 20 minutes but was very rewarding.

Oh - and the coffee was shit, but the fresh scones were great.