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South Island Odyssey
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South Island Odyssey

A 80-day adventure by OverTheHillsAndOnOurWay Read more
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  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    11

    Ranfurly

    May 28–29, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    After touring the Hayes Engineering Museum, which was well worth while seeing and we thoroughly recommend anyone doing, if only for a glimpse into early pioneering life in rural NZ, we drove through to Ranfurly.
    Once we were parked up, we jumped in the ute and drove out to Naseby, a very cute little town, but the main attraction was the curling rink.
    Paul enjoyed a play with the stones while I was in charge of recording his efforts! See our videos!
    When we arrived we were greeted by a beautiful huntaway dog who was super friendly!
    It's quite an impressive set up there and they recently hosted the Australian champs. This is the only indoor curling rink in both Australia and New Zealand.
    In addition to the curling rink, they have skating and luge.
    We didn't feel like cooking so shouted ourselves a parcel of fish and chips for dinner.
    We're moving on to the Catlins now and will end up in Mosgiel at the weekend to catch up with a swag of nieces and nephews and their families ❤ Can't wait!    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Fortrose

    May 29–30, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 8 °C

    Big day today. We woke up rain in Ranfurly and had decided to move on to the Catlins.
    We didn't get away as quickly as we'd hoped to and by the time we were ready to leave we still had to do all the emptying and filling up.
    We stopped in Balclutha to do shopping and laundry so more delays!
    And then there was the weather! Cold, rainy, windy etc, etc!!
    This all meant we didn't get to Fortrose till after dark!! Still raining and cold outside. Snuggly and warm inside though!!
    Looking forward to seeing the Catlins in some detail over the next few days.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Mosgiel

    May 30–Jun 1, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Thursday was all about the amazing scenery of the Catlins. We ended up doing a quick trip around the area in just one day. We had been going to take a few days but the weather was pretty miserable and our nieces and their families were going to be all together on Friday so we just flicked around in the single day. It was stunning. We took a few side roads to Slope Point, Curio Bay and Niagara. Slope Point is the southern most point of the south island. Curio Bay has spectacular scenery. All very wild and rugged. The petrified forest is there and some huge bull kelp. Also a cafe for a very welcome hot drink!
    Niagara has an NZMCA camp and a very mini version of the big Niagara Falls!
    We'll come back in summer to explore properly.
    However our adventure for the day hadn't even begun!! We'd had Brighton beach recommended to us as a good place to stay so we asked Mrs Google to take us there!! By the time we got close it was dark so imagine our reaction when the road she took us on was over hills that were extremely steep!! Not much fun towing a giant caravan over. Then add in switchback roads and when we got there, the caravan parking was filled up with little vans!! Some short anglo saxon words were flying!! We found a lesser hill and came across to Mosgiel. We were very happy to be finally parked up!
    Friday was all about people. We had a morning tea appointment with our nieces and their families. It was just delightful!! Wee nearly 4 yr old Phoebe presented me with some artwork that will be very precious!! We had pikelets for morning tea and lots of fun with the kids. Paul went for a walk with Noah and Alice. No ducks but lots of chatter and great company!
    In the afternoon we visited my cousin, Roger and his partner, Shirley. We had a great time and reminisced about a lot of our shared past.
    Late afternoon we met up with my long time friend, Lyn Chapman and her husband, Tony. Again, great remembering going on and Lyn even had some photos to share.
    Today we had planned to move on but it's blowing gales here so have decided to have a caravan day!! Bliss!
    First photos will be Catlins and a separate post for the kids etc    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    Brighton beach where we had hoped to stay while in Mosgiel
    BrightonBrightonWarringtonWarrington

    Warrington NZMCA

    Jun 2–4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Yesterday and today have been quiet days.
    It was blowing a gale yesterday so we opted for a caravan day and stayed put. It was lovely to just relax.
    Today we have attended to all the caravan tasks and moved on to Warrington just north of Dunedin. It sparks a lot of memories for me. As a young teen our church youth group would come here for weekends. Lots of fun to be had and many relationships were born, some even stood the test of time.
    We'll stay here at least 2 nights and do some tiki touring around Dunedin.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    Thomas MulveyJJ Connor1Mad kowhai! Don't they realise it's winter!!

    Warrington NZMCA

    Jun 3–5, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 11 °C

    Today we tiki toured around Dunedin. Found Forsyth Barr Stadium. It's pretty amazing. Had lunch in Bayfield Park and watched seagulls diving for food. Then we visited my great grandfathers in the old cemetery. It's an interesting cemetery containing a lot of Dunedin history. It's also very steep!
    We returned home after that and had a drink with our neighbour who, it turns out, knows Helen (my sister) and Daniel (my nephew)! Small world!!
    The kowhais are crazy in bloom here!
    Tomorrow we'll explore the coast a little further north.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    Just past Warrington
    Close up previousPretty ex church in SeacliffLooking down to KaritaneKaritaneSelfie!WaikouaitiWaikouaiti againAnd againI just liked this reflectionGround fog coming into moeraki

    Moeraki

    Jun 4–5, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    This morning we went for a drive on the coast road between Warrington and Waikouaiti and were thoroughly rewarded with stunning scenery and a reminder of some very important NZ history.
    We drove through Seacliff and Karitane. Truby King was in charge of Seacliff Lunatic Asylum and revolutionised the care of his patients. He also founded Plunket for the care of children, a service that still exists today.
    We're staying at Moeraki tonight and will probably move on again tomorrow.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Moeraki 2

    Jun 5–8, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    We decided to stay another night here. It's small and friendly and the waves are nice and close!
    We drove up to Timaru today to pick up a generator as we're finding our solar likes more sun than we're getting currently! We're going for the comfort aspect in this!!
    Hardly any photos today but we did get a good sunset!!
    We think we'll go with a caravan day tomorrow. I have about half an hour of housework to do and Paul has a couple of blokes things to do! After that we'll go hunting moeraki boulders! I have yet to see any and I'm beginning to think they're a myth!!!!    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    Just out of Moeraki
    2 big fish!!It was big!1st glimpse of the elusive bouldersBoulderBoulder 2Boulder 3More bouldersAn intact onePaul there for perspectiveMe as perspectiveA broken oneSeals at Shag PointRock face at Trotters GorgeOur sunset

    Moeraki boulders and more

    June 6, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Well, what a day!! It's sure been a good 'un!
    We started out with a beach walk to see if we could hunt down some moeraki boulders. And we did!!!!!!! They're not a myth after all!! Photos to follow. I was very excited to finally see them.
    After lunch we went for a quick trip down to Palmerston to buy the cord to go with our generator and on the way home we scuttled down a few side roads, but first we learned a little piece of local folklore and Paul helped a damsel in distress!
    The damsel requested the assistance of knight Paul as she couldn't start her rental car. Turns out she can only drive a gear shift and didn't know the complications of having it in neutral before starting it!
    We noticed a monument sitting proudly atop a hill and asked a knowledgeable looking lady about it. It's called Mckenzies monument. Mckenzie was the bloke who surveyed the area and must have impressed someone enough that a monument was built in his honour. Subsequently, the area was home to a policeman, Sgt Kelly who had a habit of running up the not insignificant hill. In his honour, every Labour Weekend the locals have a race up the hill. The race is called Kelly's Canter!
    Right back to amazing scenery!
    First side road we took was to Shag Point, a tiny community perched above the sea side. Lots of cute cottages and right at the end of the road was a group of NZ fur seals and they were napping on the rocks. We also found a colony of shags on a rock out at sea.
    The next turn took us to Trotters Gorge. We wanted to check out the DOC camp there. Again NZ rewarded us with scenery to die for! Amazing rock faces and a very lovely looking campsite. We will keep it in mind for our next sojourn in this area.
    Arrived home, unloaded the groceries we purchased and sat back to enjoy the stunning sunset!
    We've decided we're not done with Moeraki yet so will stay another night tomorrow!! This must be one of our fav places.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Moeraki 4

    Jun 7–11, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Today was a glorious day! Brilliant weather, starting with a beautiful sunrise. We celebrated with a bbq brunch after Paul had test run the generator (runs like a bought one), and I had done the housework!
    After brunch we went for a drive to Moeraki village which is so pretty! If only Fleurs was still open!! By way of compensation there were some surprisingly close up seals.
    We also drove out to the local light house which was built in the 1870s and is built of wood.
    We arrived home in time for a short Nana nap!
    We're moving on tomorrow, probably not very far though!    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    The chapel
    ChapelThe main gatesHuge treeAnother huge treeThe main buildingChapelSister Philomena who taught meThe chapel altarStatue of Our LadyStatue of Our LordMain buildingSundialBoarding accommodationsBoardersGroundsGroundsGrounds

    Teschemakers

    Jun 8–9, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Teschemakers used to be a sister school to St Catherine's in invercargill, the school I attended. That meant I was very drawn to having a night here! And we're not sorry!
    The grounds are gorgeous, the buildings are beautiful and the chapel is extraordinary.
    We were offered a tour of the buildings and I was delighted to see a photo of one of the nuns who taught me! It was her family that donated the property to the order so the school could be established.
    Then we were offered a look at the chapel. It's stunning!! I will definitely let the photos speak for themselves!
    After this we went for a wander around the grounds.
    It's such a lovely place to be. Very serene!!
    We'll be moving on tomorrow but not entirely sure where to!!    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    Silo art in Waimate
    More street artLovely old building in WaimateAnd anotherPretty house in WaimateSt Patrick's Basilica in WaimateWainono lagoonWainono lagoon 2Wainono lagoon 3

    Waimate

    Jun 9–11, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Not a lot to share for these 2 days. Yesterday we simply shifted from Teschemakers to Waimate and did all the emptying and refilling jobs, laundry and shopping. So we're satisfactorily all processed!
    Today we started lazy and then went for a tiki tour around town and then explored the countryside a bit.
    So, all in all, we were a bit lack lustre, but we'll be raring to go tomorrow. We're going to head north and maybe a little bit inland. We're sticking to the east coast as the middle and west has not got a great forecast.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Castle Claremont

    Jun 11–12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    If it's not the scenery wowing us, it's the architecture or even both. I feel we owe a debt of gratitude to those who went before us and built places of residence or schools or whatever and we now get to enjoy them and their way of living that is so foreign to us.
    Tonight we're staying at Castle Claremont which was originally built as a residence and was eventually purchased by the Marist Brothers as a training institution for would be Priests and Brothers.
    It's now owned by 1 man who is retired and enjoys his days pottering around with occasional help, parking guests like us and if he has to, the odd wedding.
    We enjoyed our drive through the mid canterbury countryside and couldn't believe our eyes when we arrived!
    Tomorrow probably Fairlie.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    Typical countryside
    Church in CaveRock paintingsRock painting 2Rock painting 3Rock painting 4Rock painting 5Rock painting 6Rock painting 7

    Pareora

    Jun 12–13, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Today we tiki toured from Castle Claremont to Pareora. We traveled via Timaru so we could update our RUCs which we discovered were about 5000ks late!!
    Leaving Claremont we headed out to Cave and discovered a site of Maori rock paintings. They were amazing.
    Cave has a very pretty church too.
    We found a massive construction site which we were told was a new limeworks.
    We rocked up to Pareora early afternoon and after setting ourselves up we did a little more tiki touring. It's a lovely area all up!
    We'll continue our travels tomorrow heading towards Ealing, taking our time along the way traveling on as many back roads as we can.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Ealing NZMCA

    Jun 13–15, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Yesterday didn't give us much to talk about. We just wandered around the countryside but we didn't cover any new territory. Only one thing to comment on for yesterday was the disappointment I felt when I saw what was the very pretty church at Winchester (I always called it Winchester Cathedral!) It's now missing it's steeple and is a house. Truly disappointing!
    So onto today, a much better day. We set out late morning to explore Temuka. We checked out the Temuka Pottery shop and didn't discover anything we wanted to buy. It's improved over the years but not enough to want to own it. Further wandering through town brought us to the local cemetery where we went for a walk and we found some relatives- my father's uncle and cousin.
    Our next stop was Mt Hutt. Wow!!! It was very high, a mucky road, and lots of cloud, above us, below us and all around us!
    There was even snow!!
    We explored Methven on our way home.
    All in all it was a good day discovering some interesting new places.
    Tomorrow probably Kaiapoi.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    Ground fog and sunset!

    Kaiapoi NZMCA

    Jun 15–17, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Today we moved on from Ealing and are now parked up in Kaiapoi.
    This afternoon we took care of chores, me in the laundromat and Paul in the car wash after our very dirty drive yesterday up Mt Hutt!
    We then took a little tour around Kaiapoi and then went on to Rangiora to get KFC for dinner! We've been away from takeaways too long!!!!
    On the way out to Rangiora, the ground fog was coming up and this is something we're not overly familiar with in the Bay of Plenty. We were fascinated!!
    We'll be here for a few days and tomorrow will spend some time with Chris and Allan and Julia and fam.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Kaiapoi day 2

    June 16, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Lovely day today! We spent most of the morning with Julia, Niamh and Aedeion, hanging out at the caravan.
    Then we picked Chris and Allan up and we went out to New Brighton for lunch which we had in a restaurant overlooking the pier. Time for a walk out to the end. It really is a great structure.
    We had a quick look at New Regent St and had a gelato ice cream where we met a strange new friend!
    After a quick stop at the caravan we carried on out to Chris and Allan's for dinner- a very good meal it was too!!    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Kaiapoi day 3

    Jun 17–20, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Quiet day today.
    I met Chris and Allan and we went out for morning tea. We took nearly 2 hours for that!! Lots of words needed!
    Home again for lunch and then out to do a grocery shop. Lucky for me, Nexii was working and about to go on a break! So she came back to the caravan and had her break with us. So cool to spend some time with her.
    After we took her back to work we were pretty much done for the day.
    Not sure what our plans are for tomorrow. We're waiting for a delivery to Chris and Allan's, hopefully tomorrow. If that arrives, we may move on. If not, we'll stay another night.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Kaiapoi 4 and Parnassus

    Jun 19–20, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Yesterday in Kaiapoi was mostly a caravan day, hence no update.
    This morning, we went out with Chris to The Tannery which is a gorgeous shopping centre full of boutique shops so lots to browse through. After a morning tea stop we came back to the caravan to pack up and head out on the road again.
    We're parked at Parnassus tonight and maybe tomorrow as well.
    We're looking forward to catching up with Helen and David again over the weekend before we cross back to the North Island on Monday.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    Moody morning at Parnassus
    More moodinessPretty countrysideLovely countrysideBeachsideMore beachBeachVery old bridgeTiny waterfallSpectacular rainbowMore of the rainbowLove these cloudsBeach at Gore BayAmazing cliffsThe rainbow again

    Kaikōura

    Jun 20–22, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We went tiki touring again today. This time we drove out to Gore Bay and then south to Port Robinson and Domett. We'd been told Gore Bay was really lovely and we were not disappointed!! Even in the pouring rain!! Crashing waves, towering cliffs, good company. We loved it! We ate our bacon and egg sammies there and then carried on south via, of course, another dirt road some of which is classified as 4wd. Fun, fun, fun! The car was clean a couple of days ago and now it's filthy again!
    We decided to move on from Parnassus so now find ourselves at Kaikoura for a couple of days.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler

    Kaikoura 2

    Jun 21–23, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C

    We spent today exploring Kaikoura. It's a gorgeous spot! We had beautiful weather and took advantage of it. We drove up to the lookout for 360° views. Then down to town to check it out more closely. We even found a seal!!! After lunch, shopping and some more driving around we called it a day.
    Tomorrow we're moving on. Not sure yet where to but we've only got 2 more nights in the south island.
    In the meantime, our wonderful daughter, Vicki is at our home, airing it out and getting it ready for when we come home!! She's a treasure !!!    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    From the mountains...
    To the seaTeepee on the beachUsHelen and DavidBoth vansBeautiful moon. The pic doesn't begin to do it justiceMoon a little later

    Kekerengu

    Jun 22–23, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    So we packed up the caravan this morning ready to move on but got sidetracked chatting to a bunch of people some of whom were also supposed to be moving on and others who were staying put and were trying to convince everyone to stay so we could have a 5 o'clock party! As attractive as that proposition was, we all moved on!
    We continued on our way north to Kekerengu where we met up with Helen and David. In spite of our good intentions to do some housework and laundry, we didn't!! It was more fun to chat and catch up!
    We're staying right on the beach tonight and the surf is so loud! I'm definitely in my happy place! And it was all topped off with a spectacular moon!!
    Tomorrow we'll be at the top of the south and cross over to the north on Monday.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    Marfells
    Moody hillsLined up for the ferryThe crossingThe crossing 2The crossing 3The crossing 4

    Blenheim and Plimmerton

    Jun 24–25, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Not a lot doing the last 2 days. Yesterday we said our farewells to Helen and David and moved on northwards. We had thought we would stay at Marfells Beach near the saltworks, but it was hosing down with rain and the ground was very sloshy so we canned that idea. A hard stand was more appealing so we made our way to the Blenheim racecourse. The only other eventful happening was having to queue to use the dryer at the laundry and having people standing by for us to be finished!
    Today we crossed over to the North Island and are looking forward to being home in a few days.    Read more

  • OverTheHillsAndOnOurWaySouth Island OdysseyTraveler
    A quick glimpse of Kapiti Island
    Sambucca the first!Sambucca the 2nd!!

    Taihape

    Jun 25–26, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    We met up with Gerard and Sue in Taihape today and spent a most enjoyable day with them just catching up on each other's news. Oh and having the odd shot of sambucca!!
    Weather is still cold and rainy.
    Home tomorrow which I think will be quite strange!! We're definitely convinced that caravan life is good.    Read more

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