19 August 2008Off on our first trip to find somewhere nice to park up for the first night. Filled up with 60L at Cromwell (251985 kms). Had ham sammies and Caesar salad and mushroom soup beside Lake Dunstan at Lowburn. Beautiful but cold crisp day.
Left lunch at 12:45. Headed off towards Makarora after stopping in Wanaka because we’d forgotten the Bushmans!
Decided to stop at Boundary Creek DOC site at 15:00. Absolutely stunning views and great spot but boy, were we glad we’d borrowed Brownie’s generator – freezing cold.
Mike built “buffalo” fire but it was way too cold to stand round it for long. Discovered the curtain from cab to house too short and allowed a big draft in to house, so hung up Roxie’s blanket and figured out we could lengthen this curtain to improve this for next time.
20 August 2008Left at midday and travelled to Hawea via Kidd’s Bush. No dogs allowed at Kidd’s Bush so even though it’s quite cute we won’t be staying there. Had lunch just past Gladstone Gap (same as yesterday food wise). While there we decided round the lake towards Timaru Creek would be a good place for the night, so back to Hawea to get fuel for genie (used 5 litres keeping warm (almost) last night!) and milk. Back past where we’d had lunch, through a couple of fords (slowly Mike!) got to “No camping past here” sign, turned around and found a perfect spot at 15:15. Very warm compared to last night and when we spoke to Kirsty she told us it was -8⁰C in Clyde last night, so no wonder we thought it was cold!
21 August 2008
Great night’s sle
ep – woke up at 5:37 thinking it was around 2am again! Had coffee, fed dogs and back to bed. Woke up again at 8:51!! Shower, breakfast, walk dogs, pack up and into Wanaka to pick up our new generator! Had 2 minute noodles with tuna, ham and veggies beside Lake Wanaka, then off to Cromwell to fill up on gas, diesel (35L, 274Kms) and groceries. Then in to Alexandra to get Russell to look at the left rear axle seal (which was leaking and was duly replaced) and bought bits and pieces we’d discovered we needed (dust buster, hooks for towels etc.) Home around 16:00 – AWESOME FIRST TRIP!!!!