Old Freinds

Fron Mt. Cook Lorna drove back down to Lake Tekapo where we had a look at the Church of the Good Shepherd and the monument to the sheepdog. By this time it was getting late and we were searching for a suitable place to stay. We finished up at The POP at James McKenzie's Bar and Grill in Burkes Pass. Another really good place - no facilities but a secure Level site. On Friday Morning we left reasonably early and were in Fairlie by 9.00. We phoned Mike's original flying boss and arranged a catch up that afternoon. We drove on to the Olds's and the local garage seviced the bus - 5000 ks since we left Auckland! The afternoon was spent having a great session with John and Diana MacDonald (the old boss) during which we found another ex ag pilot lived in Timaru. After dinner in the car park of the sports stadium we spent the evening with Keith and Francis King. We were really late - about 11PM - arriving at Caroline Bay to spend the night. Today will be spent doing washing and emptying tanks etc. I have got 3G so must send a photo. This one is of the Purakaunui Falls taken about a month ago.

Way Up High

Well we left Middlemarch just before the Anzac Service at 1130 (Lorna did not want to go!) and drove towards Mcrae's Flat. When the road became loose gravel we turned round and drove to Hyde where we followed the Pig Route to Mcraes. After lunch and a beer in the pub - more memories- we paused at the open cast gold mine. What a HUGE hole in the ground - in fact several Huge Holes. It was then on through the light rain to Oamaru where we checked in to a POP at Jim and Norma Hannan's - a really good place to stay with power. It rained and rained heavily all night. In the morning there were puddles all round the bus. We went in to town to dump and wash to find that there was widespread flooding and the roads out North and South blocked. As we wanted to go West we decided to head off. Thirty or so ks up the Waitaki valley the rain eased to cloud. After another nostalgic beer at Omarama we finished up at Twizel. The Combined Services Club has neat grounds which are available to POP members. After a resonably warm night we set out to arrive here at the hemitage for lunch. Unfortunately Mt Cook is hiding under cloud so here is a picture of the Hermitage.

Middlemarch

I will make this a short blog as we are sitting in the rain in Middlemarch and the connection seems to be unreliable. The last time I wrote we were at Pinder's Pond. We drove on through to Outram where we had a look at the Outram Glen as a place to stay. It looked OK but not really attractive. 10 ks down the road we came Mosgiel. We spent the night at the North Taieri Tavern just out of Mosgiel. We then met up with Grace and Gavan and went to the Leith Valley motor camp in Dunedin. Not cheap - $26 00 per night. However as we were to be going to Beth's 70th birthday party on Saturday we needed the showers etc. Sunday we went round to Beth and Lewis's and spent the night at the Ice Rink car park. On Monday we tried to get in to see the Cadbury's factory but it was booked out. We drove out to Taiaroa Head and discovered that the tour cost $28 per person - no. On the way back to Dunedin we took the up country road - a very interesting drive -- and called at Larnach's Castle gate - $20 to get in to the gardens - no. We then headed out of town andf spent the night at Clark's Junction Tavern. And here we are at Middlemarch

On Pinders Pond

I know the title sounds romantic! We are actually camped at Pinders Pond. We left Wanaka yesterday morning and drove to the refuse transfer station - a long way from the sign post.
we then set a compass course for Luggate - wrong move as we were soon on a corrrrrrrrugated metal road. Seven ks saw us back on highway 8 to Cromwell and Alexandra. Our first detour was to Pisa Moorings at the head of lake Dunstan. This development is surprisingly large with new houses and sections. We then made the compulsory stop at the Clyde dam. At Cromwell it is fascinating to see where the old town has been rescued - sort of - from the lake. Next it was on to Alexandra. This is beautiful town especially in its Autumn plumage. We spent the night in a rest area at Gorge creek about 20 ks down the road. This was a secluded area well off the road beside a stream. A good spot. The bus trundled on down the Cluttha Valley through Roxborough. While we were at Wanaka another motor homer told us about Pinders pond as a good place to stay. He did say that it was on the other side of the river. We crossed the river at Miller's Flat and drove back up to Pinders Pond which lives up to its reputation. See Photo. Here we have done a load of washing using water from the river for rinsing. This is one big mean river flowing past at at least 8 knots.

WOW

Warbirds Over Wanaka - WOW! we spent a very relaxing week at the Cross's in Wanaka. we both took the chance to do some walking. Mike about 3 hours and Lorna about 1.5 hours! On Monday we drove to Lake Hawea which has not yet had the development that Wanaka has - much more sleepy hollow! On Friday Morning early, after a slight incident with a gatepost and having to get the neighbours up to shift their vehicle we drove to the queue for entry to our viewing and camping site. We joined the line at 7.20 and were on site at 8.30. Our spot was in the third row of busses back from the fence. Those in the front row could see the flying, but not anything near the ground. Most people took chairs throughthe fence and wathched from the top of the ridge. On Friday night the farmer or his visitors declared war on rabbits. The ammunition company must be really pleased. There was a STEEP path down to the car park and then a short walk to the airfield. Mike walked it 5 times on Friday and saturday. Lorna walked it three times. It was an Absolutely Awesome Airshow! On Sunday we caught up with Jim Frogley from Havelock North. The batteries and toiilet just lasted the three and a bit days. We are now back at the Cross's to recharge batteries and do the washing. We wiil be back on the road tomorrow heading towards Alexandra and Roxborough.

To Queenstown

We left Gore in drizzling rain and drove on to Mandeville where Mike had a wander round the Ceoydon Aircraft restoration hangar. As we drove opn up the road towards the lakes district the weather improved until when we arrived at the southern end of the Kingston Flyer track . This is a little railway station called Fairlight. We discovered a clearing in some trees which looked really good to stay in. soon another motor home arrived and we set up for the night. Happy hour was once again celebrated. Next morning we drove on to Kingston just in time to see the Kingston Flyer depart. It was then on to Queenstown which we did not like! a pretty location totally spoiled by a glitzy tourist town with narrow streets and nothing but tourist shops. We spent the night at a motor camp at the Kawarau Falls. This is a lovely place right on the lakeside which we were told has been sold to developers. The Queenstown Lakes district Council does not make New Zealand travellers welcome unless they want to stay in expensive accommodation. Even parking is hard to find. The next day we rode on the Shotover River Jet Boats - what a blast! We then moved on to Glenorchy, met up with two other motor homes and stayed in the car park at the boat ramp. One of the other couples took us for a drive in their small car to Chinaman's Bluff - past paradise- where we met some serious sandflies. Next morning we all drove to Kinloch at the head of Lake Wakatipu for morning tea. It was then back to 12mile Creek Delta reserve for the night. That night was cold and in the morning we saw snow on the hills around. Next morning Mike contacted Dave Stringer in Queenstown who organised the measuring of an Optimist and some coaching. Four brave young lads spent an hour on the water and another being instructed on Optimist Matters. The nigh was spent under some trees in front of the Wakatipu Yacht Club dinghy shed - in spite of rules. Today we had morning tea in Arrowtown and then drove ou to watch Bunjy Jumping at the Kawarau river bridge. We then drove over the Crown Range (what an awesome drive!) and had lunch at Cardrona. We are now set up at Pete and Marg Cross's house in Wanaka where we hope to relax for the next few days.

Round Southland

On Thursday we left Invercargill after going to see Bluff, meeting Foster Price from the Invercargill Optimist Group and drove to Riverton for lunch. This is a very appealing town with a lot of nice houses beside a very big river - not surprising! After lunch we drove on round the South coast, passing through Colac Bay where there were 7 motorhomes on the foreshore reserve. This looks like a good place to stop. We had been directed to Cosy Nook some 12ks further on. This tiny harbour reminded me of pictures of an English fishing village in miniature. There are 4 or 5 cribs and 4 slipways withtwo small fishing boats pulled up out of the tide. We spent an evening with a real character, Bob Blackwell. He and Mike did a lot of reminiscing. Next morning we drove on, calling at Monkey Island Reserve where ther were 11 motor homes and looks like a very good place to stay. The weather was beautiful so we set out to drive to Lake Manapouri. After a short look round the township and marina we went on to Lake Te Anau for lunch. Now that was beautiful! We then set off back towards Invercargill looking for a P.O.P. to stay. The Winton Golf Club wanted $12 to stay so we carried on finally stopping on the outskirts of Invercargill at Brian and Sharon Kirker's P.O.P. cost $3! 330 kilometres for the day! The next morning was spent having morning tea with the hosts and doing laundry. We drove out to Oreti Beach looking for a place to have lunch, but becaause Mike would not drive on the beach the meal was eaten at the entrance to the Invercargill dog club grounds. After lunch we headed round to Foster and Shelley Price's at Otatara, south of Invercargill where we were made most welcome. On Saturday evening Mike measured a wooden Optimist which had been built in the scheme started by Chris Buckley. The builder hadmade a really great job. The evenings were spent socialising with Foster, Shelley and their neighbours plus an Irishman called John. Sunday and Monday Mike did some coaching at the Bluff Yacht Club. After lunch on Monday we moved on to Gore where we are spending the night at the showgrounds in the company of 6 NZMCA members and about the same number of gypsy fair vans.