253492kms 15:33. After helping Kirsty move this morning got at home 13:45 an
d decided we’d go – probably to Naseby somewhere. So on the road again! Got some groceries and diesel (253503) 40L, left Alex 16:09. Decided not to go to Naseby tonight, now 16:39 and sitting enjoying the warm sun at 1st Galloway – oh, and a beer, of course! Had 2 delicious crayfish for tea – cooked on board. Cleaned up straight away, no smells. Thanks for the delicious tea, Steve & Sally!!!! Now 21:07 and having a hot drink before bed. Temp in 23.6⁰, out 1.1⁰. Not bad!! Will be cold in the morning, though. And while I was reading today’s log back to Mike, temp out dropped to 0.8⁰. Mike’s reaction "oh, my God” x2!!!7 September 2008
Up at usual time! Decided seeing as we’re so close to home we’d go and have a shower etc. there, then carry on. 09:59 Showered etc, on road. 12:10 Have had brunch (bacon, eggs, hash browns and mushies) parked at the Swimming Dam, Naseby. Now off to explore and find somewhere to park up. 13:47 Went to check out the museum at Naseby – closed unless you buy tokens – didn’t really look worth it, so went and had a beer at the very smelly (need to fix their extractor – we now reek of greasy food!) and not so friendly Royal Hotel. Now exploring again. Got to Dansey’s Pass, had a beer.
Now 14:42 – got talking to a couple from Patearoa and they suggested staying at the Waipiata Domain, so off to check it out. Not many campervan facilities in the Maniototo – not many places at all to pull over for the night. We did stop to check out a potential spot along Scott’s Lane beside the Kyeburn, but decided against it simply because it is so incredibly wet everywhere and we don’t want to get stuck – no huff loaders nearby here! So cruised along roads we’d never been along before and got to Waipiata. Had a (wee!) cruise around and then to the pub – turns out it’s about the only pub in the whole of the South Island, but definitely Central, that Mike had never been to!!! All set up in the Domain – not the prettiest spot but not too bad – in time to feed the dogs at 17:00. Played euchre, had tea, bed at 21:00!8 September 2008
Up at 6:30, thanks to Roxie’s guard duty, barking at who knows what! Went for a 1 hour walk up rail trail towards Ranfurly, then had showers, cleaned up and on road at 10:15. Wa
ndered round Ranfurly – spent most of the time looking around the information centre – really cool. Now 11:27 and on road to see if we can get to the Coal Pit Dam. Had lunch at Coal Pit Dam and went for a wee walk round. Found swings and seesaw and had fun being kids! Cool spot, no camping allowed signs everywhere though. Went to Forest HQ to see if they’d allow it, but no. Then checked out the Ice Curling Rink, left there 13:13 down Channel Road, which goes who knows where? Well, straight back to Waipiata – it becomes the Naseby-Waipiata Road. What a laugh, gone full circle without really knowing it, back to somewhere where you don’t really need to go back to any time soon, let alone 2x in one day! Carried on to Gimmerburn, just to see what was there – a very impressive sports hall and fields, and that’s it. Now 14:17 and on Gimmerburn to Wedderburn Road. 
Went to check out Falls Dam and at the last hill we wondered if we should go up – maybe we shouldn’t have – very steep over top and no where to turn – well, we did, a 6 point turn, nose into the wall and back end hanging over a drop off! Raised the heartbeat just a little! Carried on to St Bathans, found spot for night before St Bathans, by the Manuherikia. Now 16:15 (got here about 15:30) and all set up – had a bit of a whoopsie filling the oil on the gennie – overfilled and went everywhere! Good day of tiki-touring in our own backyard but have decided the Maniototo’s pretty boring for driving around in, really. Did manage to put 97 kms on the clock though. Played euchre, and after 3 games each night this trip, it’s official: Mike is the EUCHRE KING! He won by 2 games. Revenge next trip? Then played 3 hands of Canasta – a first for Mike. Now 20:00 and cooking tea. In bed at 21:30.9 September 2008
Up at 7am – sleep in. Drizzled overnight but good sleep although Mike was ready to get up at 05:30. 3.9⁰ out, so almost tropical! Drizzling still, so packing up to go home. 08:00 – rolling. Now 8:51, just had a pie from Muddy Creek. 9:13 Home 253859, 365.7 kms travelled.
