ANNOTATIONS BY T. W.

Otago Witness, Issue 1630, 17 February 1883, Page 20

ANNOTATIONS BY T. W.

I am thinking at my desk with pen in hand, and paper and ink before me, for something to write about, a loud tap comes at the door. Confound that fellow, I say to myself, for disturbing me while pondering with a wheeling brain. Crossly, I sing out, "Come in ! " and on looking up, find that my annoyer is only an individual with a white helmet, blue coat with scarlet cuffs and trimmings, and moleskin inexpressibles, commonly called in this land— a postman/ Having wished him , " Good morning," and received my letters, I settle myself 4°wn again in a mediative attitude. A thought strikes me— l will read my letters first, peradventvre something will turn up. I read them one by one (not more than one at a time) and have only one more, but this, though last, is not the least interesting, and I cannot do better thangive it to my readers, so here in is, slightly altered : "My dear T. W.,— l have had such a jolly ride, and being unable to call and see you, now put my thoughts on paper. You know what reports those fellows who ventured the Club run to Blueskin spread about. Well, out of curiosity, and also to prove their veracity, I took a run on Saturday afternoon. The day was charming, slight breeze from the north-east, and the sun shone with his usual vigour for this time of the year. The valley is anything but pleasant — bumpy and stony — and somehow did not help to digest my dinner. At the lower junction I took the road to the right (because, my dear fellow, you always know I do right), winding up the hill. The other, ihough shorter, is after a bit as steep as View street, and not quite so smooth. Taking a seat to cool myself at the top, I view the panorama beneath me. Dunedin, with its suburbs on either side, then those of the plain with the Southern Ocean beyond. On again I travel downward, and get a fine view of Broad Bay, Portobello, Port Chalmers, the Harbour and Heads. The road from the top descends at an easy gradient and winds round the hill in such a way as to feast you with scenery for some time to come. The surface is like a racing track, with one or two exceptions, and you can always pull up. as each declivity is followed by a level or slightly rising grounds. When half-way down, Blueskin with its bay appears, and in a few minutes you reach the Saratoga, an hotel where I would advise all 'cyclists to stop. After this, round the bay, the road is much rougher, and crossing a bridge some three miles from Blueskin you get off ; in fact, must do so, for before you rises Kilmog, that hill of hills to wheelmen. Plenty of loose stones— bricks— to say nothing of ascent await you here, and half-way up a plot of 30 yards of 3-inch metal is met with. Pleasant it may be to look at, but certainly not when coming down on a bolting steed (wheel). Necessity compels you to turn your wheel up and drive it oackwards when you get a short distance from the summit. Mounted once more, the road runs along the top of the hills, very much'the same as on the Junction, only not quite so even. Descending it is safer to walk the first fifty yards, as it is unusually rough and rather steep. Passing through Merton the road is anything but ?leasanfc, and with the strong wind against.me was soon done up. However, by putting down one pedal and then another, after half an hour, the first houses of Waikouaiti appeared. ' This gave me fresh energy, and being about tea-time, made I up my mind to stay all night, which I did. Now, my dear boy, with pleasant company, this is quite as good a run as Waihola. Such pictures&eju scenery cannot be scene (seen) on any other run, and the hills are not worse." May I ask the wheeling community of my readers why this run is not more patronised. It is quite practicable, and by my friend's letter, excels the others in every way. I have just heard some are thinking of Oamaru in the coming holidays, and I wish them success and a pleasant trip. Erratum.— Now, I am going for somebody, perhaps, and I know it is on delicate ground. It is the printer or the hard-worked reader or more likely the P.D. In the copy of my description of the Club-room I suggested that an attendance-book should be commenced for recording the names of those who attend club runs, and it appears as rooms. Who wants to know what Tom, Bill, or Harry goes to the room? I'll go for that young scamp when I get my eagle eye upon him.