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South Island Odyssey

April - May 2024
An open-ended adventure by OverTheHillsAndOnOurWay Read more
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  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    Day 44–46

    Pinders Pond

    Yesterday in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Before we departed Gore this morning, we called in to Keelow Craft so Paul could give us a guided tour on making jet boats. It was so good to spend a decent amount of time with the Cross family!
    On arrival back to the showgrounds to pick up the caravan, we were very surprised to find a takeover had taken place. A school was there for their annual cross country run. Parents cars and busses everywhere and we were blocked in! After a quick word with a friendly bus driver, he moved his bus and we could get on our way.
    This time we're heading in the general direction of central Otago via tapanui and Raes Junction. The countryside through this area is stunning. The photos just do not do justice at all! We detoured off for a couple of nights at Pinders Pond near Roxburgh. Again a place of spectacular beauty!!
    Tomorrow we'll probably go meandering in the area and see what we can find!!    Read more

  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    Day 43–45

    Gore 2

    May 20 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ -1 °C

    Bit of a drizzly day today but that didn't put us off!
    We popped down to Mataura this morning to say hello to mum and dad. It was very pleasing to see how clean all the graves were in the cemetery. We usually have to scrub the headstone down but not this time. The ute was beginning to look clean again so we opted to return to Gore via a gravel road on the other side of the river!!
    This afternoon we tiki toured out to Dolamore Park which I had never visited previously. We were very impressed and look forward to camping there one day.
    After yet another gravel road and dirt on the car, we made our way back to the caravan. Sarah popped in and we had enjoyed another great chat! Such a special time!!
    We haven't quite finalised what we're doing tomorrow but probably moving on towards central Otago.    Read more

  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    11
    Day 42–44

    Gore

    May 19 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    Yesterday Paul put some extra little bits of insulation in the caravan and boy were we glad of that this morning! We had a good solid frost! The stream behind us was frozen and the grounds white! Beautiful sunny sky which always makes us happy because it charges up our solar!
    After breakfast Helen and David and Paul and I went to watch our great nephew playing hockey which was a real treat! Good to see Sarah, our niece, as well.
    Next up was lunch with our long time family friend, Brian. We had a good catch up and recalled lots of fun times!
    Lunch done, we all went to the cemetery to visit Bernard and Katharine (my sister and brother in law). I still struggle a bit to think they're both gone. I try hard to remember the good times and all the fun we had.
    We went back to our camp where Helen and David left to go home and we packed up to move to Gore.
    Dinner tonight was at Sarah and Paul's and we had a fantastic time. Played with the dogs, loved getting to know Ryan (the hockey playing nephew) better and enjoyed generally talking and catching up. Special mention must be made of the yummy roast dinner!!
    Tomorrow we'll idle around Gore and see what we find!    Read more

  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    1
    Day 39–42

    Invercargill

    May 16 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    We arrived in Invercargill yesterday and had a very quiet day. Nothing really to report.
    Today however was all about nostalgia. We ventured out this morning and visited my grandparents homes, my old schools, our local park, my family home and my friend's family home. A home I spent a large amount of time in. Hence there are a few house photos. A quick supermarket shop and back to the caravan for lunch and to meet up with Helen and David who are here for the next few days.
    Appetites satisfied, the 4 of us were back on the nostalgia trail. We tracked down our old farm, drove out to Omaui where I holidayed once with my friend's family. It was so good to remember all the crazy antics we got up to! Then we went to Bluff where we took the obligatory photo by the signpost that points to many points on the globe.
    We enjoyed a 5 o'clock party with Helen and David and then back to our caravan for the night.
    Tomorrow is shopping, laundry and lunch with some of my old school mates.    Read more

  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    Day 39–42

    Invercargill 2

    May 16 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 9 °C

    It rained cats and dogs last night and we woke up to a mini lake behind the caravan. It didn't cause us any issues however so we set off on our day. First order of business was to look for Tara's birthday present. We were partially successful but still need to sort out more.
    Then it was off to lunch with a number of my school friends and Helen and David. It was a fantastic catch up. Unfortunately we all omitted to take photos!
    After lunch I spent a productive hour at the laundromat and then we were back to the caravan and a 5 o'clock party with HandD and another couple, Mike and Sue who are traveling very closely to where we're going.
    Tomorrow we move on to Gore after watching my great nephew play football.    Read more

  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    Day 38–40

    Riverton 2

    May 15 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Day 2 here at Riverton. We started the day by exploring Riverton Rocks starting at the fishing boat harbour. This is probably the most picturesque boat harbour in NZ! Then it was off around the Rocks from the harbour side to the ocean side - spectacular! So peaceful on one side and wild on the other! I love it!
    Then we tiki toured around the country side towards Otautau, turning down all the gravel roads we could find!
    This took us over the Aparima River Bridge and on both sides pretty much as far as you could see were whitebaiters huts. I definitely have to let the pictures speak for themselves!! They were amazing!!
    Found a train fan's large size collection at Fairfax. Well done but I don't think we got any photos. I was too busy trying to find the pub from ages ago. On the odd occasion dad would stop for a beer there, he would bring us out a sarsparillo. We thought we were the bees knees!
    Tomorrow we're off to Invercargill for a few days!    Read more

  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    11
    Day 37–39

    Riverton

    May 14 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    We're now parked up at Riverton and explored the southern coast this afternoon. It was stunning, quaint, wild, windswept and all round awesome!! We saw crazy houses, the most crazy being one that was built into the rock! There was also a seriously quaint little settlement of fishing cottages, trees that are growing sideways because of the wind and Stewart Island.
    We ate out twice, lunch and dinner. Yay, no dishes!!!!!
    Enjoy the photos!!    Read more

  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    Day 36–39

    Tuatapere 3

    May 13 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    We seem to be creating a habit of having a lazy start, having brunch and then heading out exploring.
    Today we went to Bluecliffs and then out to the start of the Humpridge track. Again the scenery was unbelievable and so wild! The trees are permanently sloping from the wind. The people who live in this place must be hardy!
    Tomorrow we'll be moving on further along the south coast and more adventures!!!!    Read more

  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    Day 35–37

    Tuatapere 2

    May 12 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    I have to say that it seemed a bit ironic that we were in the most southern part of the country with 100% cloud cover during the best aurora in 20 years!
    That definitely required a sleep in this morning for Mother's Day including a cuppa in bed to recover from the irony!
    After farewelling our neighbours whoweremoving on, we went tiki touring around the area through the coal mining area of Ohai and Nightcaps. There's Heritage Trail info boards dotted around which help give you a sense of the history.
    The local 4 Square had promised to make Southland cheese rolls for us so we popped in to collect them. Unfortunately for us, they had no sandwich bread so have to wait till tomorrow!! They'll be worth the wait!!
    Will probably do a bit of coastal exploration tomorrow.    Read more

  • TravelerSouth Island Odyssey
    Day 34–36

    Tuatapere

    May 11 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    So after indulging in another breakfast at the cafe, we set out for Tuatapere, the town where I was born. We'll probably stay for a couple of days.
    Once set up, we had a cuppa with our new neighbours and then went for a drive.
    First stop was at the Clifden Suspension Bridge. I remember driving over it when I was just a very wee nipper. We spotted about 20 trout lurking in the river so the great mystery has been solved!! All the fish in the South Island are hiding in this river and the fishing season is closed in the rivers!!!! Of course it is!!
    Moving on we asked Google to set the route to Mulvey Road (my first home). The first attempt would have us going to India! Ah no. Attempt 2 was a little better. Australia this time. Attempt 3 returned no result searching just for Mulvey Rd. Attempt 4 saw us typing in Mulvey rd eastern bush and lo and behold, success!!!!!
    Found my old school site on the way. The building I started school in was replaced some time ago.
    Finally arrived at Mulvey Rd and took the obligatory photo under the sign. Then down the road to the farm. The house is set back from the road so photos are not that good. However, for immediate family, it is still for sale.
    We also went down Township rd, mainly because there is no Township!! We did find an old cemetery however with the best info board. All the inmates are listed and the story of the cemetery. A real gem!!
    Tomorrow will see us tiki touring around some more.    Read more

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