Dunedin/Waitaki, 26 to 29 September 2008

26 September 2008
13:51 253912 25.5⁰. Off to Dunedin, via quick stop in Alex. Going to check out the Boat & Outdoor Show. Now 18:55, parked at Doctor’s Point. Came via the Pig Root, stopped for a smoke just past Dunback, then went and tiki-toured round Warrington, back a bit along SH1 to Evansdale Glen, but people there and no camping anyway. So on to Doctor’s Point, took dogs for walk along beach to check out what used to be “mussel” rocks (30 odd years ago!), then back to van, fed dogs – we left Warrington at 17:28, so they were fed very late! Cool spot but very busy with people walking dogs – awesome beach! Mike picked me some wild daffodils – told me to close my eyes and gave them to me and they smell so beautiful – the inside of Maggie now smells like a flower garden what with the home grown daphne as well. Hours (not sure of time!) later …. John & Alice got back from walking their dog (now dark) and having a wine on the beach – invited them in for a beer and an hour or so later they had to go – great night. Bed at 22:30 – late again! Oh, forgot to say, train goes by just behind us, up the hill.


27 September 2008
Up at 07:30, good night’s sleep – train woke us up a couple of times but straight back to sleep. And wouldn’t you know it – it started to piss down the moment we got up – it had been blowing a bit, but then it hit, hard – wind, rain – straight from the South and it turned really cold. Temp was 14⁰ last night, 10⁰ when we got up, now 5.8⁰!! Still raining 9:37, ready to roll. 220kms yesterday, by the way. 14:30 - been and checked out the Boat & Outdoor Show – some pretty awesome campers and boats.
Come on Lotto! Had Burger King for lunch at Lookout and now heading north. It’s not raining, sun’s trying but freezing cold southerly. 15:11 Just stopped for a smoke at Shag Point – nice spot to stop for night, but not today as muddy carpark – and we need water. 15:45 Oamaru, filling up with 53.3L diesel (254292 Kms). 17:10 Got to Lake Waitaki – below Aviemore Dam at Fisherman’s Bend and decided great spot. Set up, chilled with a beer, walked to point. Gennie no go – no spark – AGAIN!!! And might need it tonight as it’s now 4.3⁰, time is 18:48 so will be a cold one. Decided they can have it back and we’ll look at other heating options! Oh, at show we bought 2 remote control helicopters – one indoor, one out. 19:10 – cold already (about 3⁰) and Roxie’s been swimming and obviously got cold, because she’s just squirmed underneath the blankets that cover the back seat – completely covered herself up with no help from us! Bed at 10:30 (daylight saving time) after WOK Creations chicken stir fry for tea.

28 September 2008
Up at 8:15 – NW got up during the night so much warmer than anticipated - 6⁰. Beautiful sunny day but blowing straight off the fresh snow (Lindis Pass was closed yesterday) so a bit chilly. 11:45, explored camping area – absolutely awesome. Lots of toilets, rubbish areas and even a portaloo emptying area. Off to buy some milk and check out the other side of the Dam but may come back – for starters, its gorgeous and 2ndly there’s a couple of sheltered spots, as it’s still blowing. 16:00 Have been parked up just below the Benmore Dam since about 13:30 – moved spot once ‘cause we found a good spot but there was a car there. They moved so we nabbed it. Before we left 1st spot, Mike had a good look at the gennie and got it going – the microswitch that turns it on wasn’t working. So it can freeze tonight! Taken dogs for walk, watched people water-skiing – beautiful day. Bed at 21:00, after pork, broccoli and rice for tea.

29 September 2008
Up at 7:30 after good night’s sleep. And thanks to daylight saving we woke the dogs up, not the other way round. Cloudy but little wind – was 7.5⁰, now 8:54 and 6.6⁰. About to have breakfast – Mike cooking bacon, eggs, mushies and hash browns – YUM. 10:30 On the road, heading home. Bit of a worry – the battery light on the dash keeps flashing intermittently. Time to go home and get that sorted! 13:25 – had lunch beside Lindis, then have just done big shop at Cromwell, now on last leg home. 13:43 670kms later (254458) home.