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MACKS MEANDER
  • Linda McKinlay

MACKS MEANDER

3 or 4 sleep till we head of on another Southern adventure. I'm hoping we'll get away Tuesday evening and maybe stay at Ardmore Wings. That way we won't have to fight the traffic on Wednesday morning. Doing the clothes pack today. Very excited. Read more
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  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY TWENTY ONE

    March 4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    A wet windy start to the day meant a cancellation of our planned cycle. Instead it was a drive into Timaru for coffee and a couple of shopping chores. Parked at beautiful Caroline Bay, (very generous free parking) and went walking, taking photos along the way.
    The weather had settled so we were able to make a sandwich and a cuppa and sit under the trees to have lunch. A 15km drive south west brought us to the fascinating grade 2 listed historic Claremont Castle, where we have parked up for the night. We're enjoying the novelty of staying at a castle and learning its history. The first owner had it built for his new wife in 1884 of granite quaried on site. The nz government leased it for a while and one of our early governor generals lived here. Then the Catholic church bought it to use as a base to train nz and Australian priests, (there is an onsite chapel) and since then was used for some medical rehabilitation until bought by present owner about 19yrs ago. Quite an interesting history. It's used for weddings and other functions and is for sale now .    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY TWENTY TWO

    March 5, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    Bye bye to grandeur. Our gorgeous castle is unfortuate to have the address Mt Horrible Rd. Yes it's that cold today 🥶 A day for games, books, puzzles and planning. Hoping for a vastly improved day to wake up to tomorrow. 🌞 We're in Awamoko and have quite a contrast to yesterday's park up. Tomorrow will see us in Kurow heading off on a cycle. 🚴‍♂️ Yep I'm feeling positive. 😀Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY TWENTY THREE

    March 6, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Pretty chilly start to the day but the sky was clear and blue so we put on several layers and chugged up the road to fossil capital 'Duntroon'. A day on the road always starts with coffee so we popped into the Flying Pink Pig cafe before heading off on our ride. Even though it was a tough hilly ride it was fascinating countryside with the huge elephant rocks being a highlight. We also rode through an area where the first Narnia movie was filmed in 2004 . We saw about 16 cyclists on the trail, (some tourists), so it is a very popular ride. Unfortunately due to the hills and battery power concerns we didn't quite make it to the rail tunnel we were hoping to ride through but 55km isn't a bad ride for a couple of old codgers. Riding through a flock of sheep that were sitting on the trail caused laughter. Spot the crop circles in the photo. The sign about driving is a hoot since it's at Elephant Rocks in the middle of nowhere. Hopefully our tourists know the road rules before they get that far. The other photos taken on a stroll through town. Band aid!!! Ooopsy who put that bank there??And finally a gorgeous sunset, maybe the promise of a nice sunny day tomorrow. Ps We are now in Oamaru. Planning a quiet, gentle day tomorrow with a late start and pancake breakfast.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    Day Twenty Four

    March 7, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Leader had opted for a morning shower while Driver had asleep in. 😴 oh oh no hot water. 😞 seems the gas ran out in the night. So a rather dissappointly chilly start to the day, hair wash and all. However Driver redeemed himself (he's in charge of gas and stuff) by cooking beautiful pancakes 🥞 Loving the Washpen honey 🍯 Sharon it truly is like Maple Syrup. Love this quote spotted today 😀Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    Day Twenty Four x 2

    March 7, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    I love Oamaru stone so I have given you a few of my favorite heritage buildings, plus (as you would expect) some fun pics. Rachel and Leah may not know that Oamaru is NZ Steam Punk capital and you will find Steam Punk HQ in the mix. Also there is a whole lane dedicated to Victoriana with some original buildings from that Era. Hope you enjoy.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY TWENTY FIVE

    March 8, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Nice sunny morning to ride some more of the A2O trail. That is Alps to Ocean. (Mount Cook to Oamaru) We rode to Enfield for coffee then Windsor for lunch. Sadly we missed the King. 😞 Perhaps we should have made an appointment. 😀
    This is a very popular ride not only for kiwi cyclists but also international. We met several groups today cycling towards Oamaru and the end of a 5 or 6 day tour. A group of 8 kiwi friends from the Waikato and Auckland areas made me smile. They were all wearing brightly coloured beach shirts. I was told that was their 'high vis' choice. They looked very cool . We saw a cow right by the fence line who had just given birth. The wee calf was still very unsteady on his pins. Quite late for calving we thought. It was my kind of ride today. Stunning scenery, great trail surface, no nasty hills and perfect weather. The company wasn't too bad either 👌    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY TWENTY FIVE

    March 9, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Not much to report today as Leader was a bit off colour this morning. She is really sick of the strong winds we've been experiencing for several days. Gives her a headache and makes her grumpy 😠 Hampden and now Warrington are picturesque spots and we would have enjoyed them if calmer weather. We are almost in Dunedin but may stay at Mosgiel instead.
    More interesting people for you.
    The Te Araroa trail goes right through Lake Coleridge Village and when we walked to view the lake we were on the path. We saw 5 people doing the trail and spoke to a young woman from USA walking it on her own. Thats Bluff to Cape Reinga!!!! In Oamaru there was a lady parked next to us traveling with 5 small poodles in her motorhome
    Thankfully they were quiet. Also in Oamaru we had a chat to a lady who has had some major cancer surgery.
    She told us where to get medicinal Marijuana should we nead it
    And lastly this morning while walking to the beach a senior gentleman with a big beer belly was swinging an empty bottle and informed us he'd just had a bottle of beer for breakfast. Driver thinks more than one
    The world is full of interesting people.    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY TWENTY SIX.

    March 10, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Very short report today
    Drove about 30mins to Dunedin this morning and have enjoyed a stunningly sunny warm day. Very relieved to find a park in the Wings camp. Walked a marathon to the Octagon to the isite for cycling maps then made our way home via New World. Lucky for me Driver offered to carry the bags. My impressions this visit is there are lots of youth (?students) and the footpaths are littered with glass. Mind you today is the day after Saturday night!!!!Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY TWENTY SEVEN

    March 11, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    No comment today except to say I'm hoping for a much better one tomorrow 😞

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY TWENT EIGHT

    March 12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Woke this morning feeling positive about the day after yesterday's disappointment in not being able to find the habour trail. 😡 Left Dunedin after the obligatory coffee stop and traveled the short distance to Beautiful Lake Waihola via Mosgiel because we'd never been there. We have a nice grassy site with a stunning view across the lake, all for $10. Wish the sun was shinning so we could pump up our kyak and go for a paddle. At the moment it's pouring with rain. Fingers crossed its dry tomorrow for our full days ride from Lawrence back to the lake. 🤞Forcast is looking 🌞Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    Day twenty nine

    March 13, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    On the subject of 'the people you meet', yesturday we were sitting indoors minding our own business while it was raining outside when a couple of Chinese young men came wandering over to our motorhome. When the Driver popped his head out the door to see what they wanted, they told him they were sheltering under our awning. 🙃 Which I must say was only about 1/3 extended so really not much cover at all. Right up against the outside wall they were and I noticed one peering in the little window on the door. The rain stopped quickly so it was all over in a couple of minutes and gave me my buzz for the day😂Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY TWENTY NINE X 2

    March 13, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Rode 63 km today but on heading to bed last night I really wondered if we would be getting on our bikes today. The wind blew a gale, rock'n and roll'n our motorhome and the rain pelted down too. But suprise, suprise the morning rose crisp clear and dry and so we were able to stick to the plan of meeting our driver at 9am. After a 45min drive to Lawerence then the usual coffee we headed off about 10.15 to cycle back to Waihola
    arriving home just on 3pm. What a great ride, with a couple of tunnels in the mix for some fun 😊
    We are so appreciative of the hours of work and expense to form the wonderful cycle trails the South Island in particular has to offer. Couldn't be bothered cooking so Fish and Chips for dinner tonight with a couple of Bluff Oysters each as a treat/reward 😋    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    2

    DAY THIRTY

    March 14, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    'What goes around comes around' they say. Well this morning I picked up a door mat that someone left at the Waihola dump station, and it's heavier than the one we lost so won't blow away. 👏 Waihola to Owaka on the Catlins Coast his morning where we are freedom camping. Quiet afternoon recovering from big day yesturday. But did manage a wander around the small town for photos. First 3 at windswept but spectacular Kaka point. 4. Did a short walk into Tunnel Hill to view this disused railway tunnel. The most southern rail tunnel. All the bricks lining it were made on site. 5 -10 Owaka town 11. Spot sooty? 12. This horse is at our back door. 13 - 15 Now I know what a Lilliput library is. . (you may remember a photo a couple of days ago) 🤔Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY THIRTYONE

    March 15, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    Perfect start to a misurable damp 10 degrees, cheese scones straight from the oven, washed down with a home brew coffee ☕️😋 Owaka to Niagra today. A day of many waterfalls. The benefit of checking out these falls is you have to walk through beautiful bush and listen to sweet birdsong to view them. So grateful to be fit and able to do so. The weather has been a mixed bag down to 8 degrees at times, but luckily when it was time to walk, it stopped raining. We're sure reminded how far on the south coast we are. We were entertained last night in the freedom camping area with space for 8. It filled up very quickly and lots of people were disappointed. The ranger came and moved a couple of vans on. Then blow me down 2 cheeky monkey vans come sneaking in after dark. How rude.
    Invercargil tomorrow.    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY THIRTY TWO X1

    March 16, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    Very cold 8 degrees on rising this morning and a sure reminder we're in the deap south. Wooly socks on, hats, scarves, gloves, and jackets at the ready for venturing out at the 'must see, must photograph' sites. No waterfalls, bush walks or or lakes today but plenty of stunning coastline. We only left the Motorhome at two main stops today on account of the weather. First Curio Bay where there have been big changes since our last visit. Much more defined DOC camping spaces with lovely screen planting and a very large smart visitors centre with Cafe. I could have stayed all day and watched the magnificent, powerful, tempestuous ,raging seas that this stormy weather has caused. It was awesome to watch the big rollers come in crashing over the rocks. Almost stood on a sea lion when walking out to see what 'number 3' was. More to come.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    2

    DAY THIRTY TWO x2

    March 16, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    Well that was Curio Bay now for Slope Point the most Southerly point of the Sth Is. "So bleak and windswept even the grass can't stand up straight," so my guide book states. It also says "the trick is to walk as fast as possible, dress as warmly as possible, spend the least time possible, take your photo as quick as possible, then hurry back to your car as quick as possible." We did all that and especially as you will notice the Driver was wearing shorts. 🤔 As it was we both had to change our bottom half clothing cause we got soaked. It wasn't raining when we left the car. Lots and lots of tourists about which is good to see. The other notable piece of information (for those who havent been there) is you'll notice the Macrocarpa trees have no greenery on their south side due to the wind and they only grow the height of a hedge. You'll need to zoom the 2nd photo to see the lighthouse.Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    1

    DAY THIRTY THREE

    March 17, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    Not a lot happening today on account of the weather. However we did venture out for a tiny bit of shopping then a visit to Bill Richardson Transport World where we had lunch followed by a good look around the collection. We had some fun with the camera too as you'll see. 🫠Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    1

    DAY THIRTYFOUR

    March 18, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Today Invercargil, where it was a misty cold damp 10 degrees to Manapouri and sunshine no wind and a lovely 16 degrees. Was so nice to get the chairs out of the boot and sit outside for our coffee. Anyway to back track on the trip here. First stop the beautiful Invercargill Queens Gardens where I was keen to see 'The Stumpery'. So we set off in the drizzle to find this intriguing use of storm damaged trees, old railway sleepers, and ancient roots from peat bogs. Sorry not to spend more time in these beautiful gardens, but the weather wasn't favorable for a walk/ride through on this visit. So back on the road and a coastal drive through Riverton, Colac Bay, Gemstone Bay (no, just some pretty pebbles) and Tuatapere. Yep sausages for the freezer, and last stop Clifden suspension bridge. When built in 1899 it was the longest suspension bridge in NZ. So quite a short but very interesting drive today. Photos will confirm. Enjoy. 1-4 Gardens. 5 Riverton Got to be quick with the camera when spotting these gems along the way. 6-11 Colac Bay. The surfer welcoming visitors. Spot the smiling house. You might get a bargain here if looking for a beach house!
    The yellow school bus shelter needs a lick of paint. Colourful loos.
    12-15 Gemstone Beach house on the crumbling cliff. Zoom in on 15 and see what's behind the circular hole in the rock
    The final photo is a view coming in to Manapouri.    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    Day THIRTY FIVE

    March 19, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    I hope you all spotted the smiley face on the old house yesturday. It was much more distinctive last visit about 7 yrs ago. Beautiful day in Manapouri today.
    . The lake is calm and looking stunning. We are sooo enjoying the sun and lack of wind. Nothing to report really. Apart from a short ride to the wharf to check out parking for tomorrow and a wee 2km wetland walk behind camp it was a day for house work and R and R. Looking forward to our 7.30am cruise in the Sounds tomorrow. Weather is looking promising.🤞Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    2

    DAY THIRTY SEVEN

    March 20, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    Well we sure are buzzing after an absolutely wonderful day cruising Doubtful Sounds. It was so worth the early start and setting off in the cold and dark. The tour involved a 45min cruise to the Manapouri underground power station, then a bus ride of about the same time to Deap Cove where we got on to the ferry taking us into Doubtful Sound. We then cruised for about 3hrs from Deep Cove right out to the Tasman sea and the entrance to the sounds. Amazingly a colony of sea lions have made their home on a tiny rocky island right at the entrance. It was a bit misty and cloudy for a while which affected the photography but once the sun came out so did the cameras. The highlight of the day was stopping, turning off the boat engines, telling everyone to be quiet and no movement. We sat in the quiet and stillness for a good 5 or 6 minutes. No cell phones, no traffic, no lawnmowers, just us and nature. Majestic mountains covered in beautiful green bush and the deep blue calm mirror like water making fabulous reflections.
    I found the experience very special, quite moving and unique. Anyway enjoy my/our photos.    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler
    1

    DAY THIRTY EIGHT

    March 21, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    One last photo from Manapouri on the way out. This wee bookshop is quite NZ famous. I'm sure you've seen it on TV or in magazines. Driver brought us to Gore today. Spotted these two old dears along the way. Took a wee detour to drive pass Samantha and James beautiful farm with gorgeous rural views. Not home for us to visit. ☹️ Then a stop at Mandeville where driver was able to fulfill a dream with a 15min Tigermoth flight. Note the mile wide smile.😄 Crossed that off the bucket list.✍️ The weather was perfect for the flight with a beautiful cloudless blue sky, sunshine and no wind. Actually after all the rain and cold we had last week the 🌞 is very welcome and almost too hot. Driver was very pleased to find the bakery we visited last time we were in Gore is still operating and still has delicious donuts. 😋
    We are free camping at the RSA tonight so will dress up and dine in the restaurant. Very impressive building with a wall of amazing murals. A sit down is always needed after a town walk about in the heat. 🥵    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY THIRTY EIGHT X2

    March 21, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Have to share these wonderful murals. A lot of towns are doing this and I think it's a very cool thing to do. We are rather impressed with Gore. It is very tidy with nice public gardens and pretty council gardens through town
    Also the Baptist Church is pretty smart . The pastor is our friend Mark's brother. BTW Driver seems to have pinched my Leader cap. I haven't been given a new title yet. Watch this space 🤔    Read more

  • Linda McKinlayMACKS MEANDERTraveler

    DAY THIRTY NINE

    March 22, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    You had a lot to read yesturday so I'm giving you a break with a short post today. Gore to Cromwell about 2 1/2hrs. Love being in Central Otago again. Seems strange not to be seeing the Miller's though. However it is great to be with Sharon and Grant for a few days. Cycling together tomorrow.Read more

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