Otago Harbour shone like glass in the autumn sun. There was not a breath of wind, which was bad luck for yachties and windsurfers but great for the kayakers, rowers and dragon-boat paddlers who were making the most of the glorious weather.
As I wrestled my bike off the bike rack I felt a bit old and fat to be doing that sort of thing, but I wanted to try out the harbourside bike trail from Maia to town. Not to mention that if I did a bit more exercise, I wouldn't be so fat in the first place (though, sadly, I can do nothing about the age).
So off I pedalled, rather slowly, enjoying the sun and the fresh air. It was like another world down on the smooth asphalt trail. Middle-aged couples wearing matching clothes walked their matching dogs; families cycled along at the speed of the youngest learner with training wheels; mums jogged with their babies in pushchairs and grandparents strolled alongside toddlers on plastic trikes.
All the while, flocks of sea birds practised their formation flying up and down the harbour, all the time keeping one eye on the water for fish. And it would have been a nice day for fishing. I imagined myself in my kayak in the channel, the sun warming my head as I dangled a line over the side.
I had to stop myself thinking of sitting still. I was supposed to be getting exercise, not slowing down and daydreaming. Not to mention that my husband was catching up with me, and he didn't even have a bike.
Here was a boy on a skateboard, accompanied by his mum on roller blades; there a family stopped to play ball games on the grassy verge.
Lycra-clad cyclists whizzed past with still enough breath to chat, and smartly dressed walking companions strode along in unison. And one roundish oldish lady was riding her bike, just managing to keep ahead of a grey-haired jogger.
With all the action around me, I could hardly believe how quickly I got to town and it seemed even less time until I was back at the car, feeling virtuous.
I've been known to have a swipe at the council before, if I don't like what they get up to, but I reckon the harbourside cycleway is worth every penny they've spent. And it didn't involve blocking other road users out of a well-loved scenic drive. Bring on the next section!