267093kms, 12⁰C, 10:22am. Yay, we’re finally off again – it feels like ages since the last trip. Haven’t been away for a while because we’ve been busy re-designing the veggie garden. That’s all done now, and we’ve earned a break from chores so we are off – north and east, as that’s where the weather forecast says we should go! Filled up in Alexandra (267104kms, 50L) and did some shopping, now off to the Pig Root. And once again decided there really aren’t many places to stop – virtually no roadside picnic areas right through until you get to past Kyeburn. Stopped at Palmerston because we’d forgotten to buy ice (again!) and then north towards Oamaru. Turned off SH 1 at Maheno and headed off to Kakanui, as we’d seen some good spot
s along Beach Road. Unfortunately, the road has been washed away by rough seas, and it was closed. Nevertheless, we stopped at the northern end of the closed bit and let dogs out for a run – and saw 2 Hector’s Dolphins – looked like mother and calf. Really awesome. Nice weather too – sunny and 17⁰C, but a cool breeze off the sea. Anyway, nowhere really suitable to park here, and if we carry on north we’ll end up in Oamaru, so south
along Beach Road ‘til on the other side of Kakanui, where we found the mouth of the Wanakarua River and a perfect spot to park. 14:145 – all set up. Lovely spot, right on the beach. Couple of other buses parked a bit further along (whitebaiters) but we can’t see or hear them, so not bothering us. Beautiful sunny afternoon, sat and enjoyed 24⁰C (in the sun) and first day of wearing jandals! Walked the dogs round a bit and checked out the area and then had a few beers and brie and crackers. Played cards and monopoly (Mike won both!) and went to bed at 21:00 (no dinner, the brie and crackers filled us both up!)9 September 2009
Up with the sun just before 7am – beautiful sunrise. Only 2⁰C outside, but fortunately the temperature rose as quickly as the sun. Had showers, breakfast and walked the dogs along the beach for an hour or so and then headed off to Oamaru at 11:25. Weather fun and
sunny, and to start with it was warm enough in just a T-shirt, but then the breeze got up so now feels at bit cooler. We were going to stop in Oamaru to do some “shopping” (we didn’t need anything, but Mike fancied buying something)
but we overshot the parking spot so carried on. We did have a look round the Blue Penguin Colony centre before leaving Oamaru though. We put some more diesel in Maggie (267377kms, 35L) and then headed off down a bit of road we’d never been on – from Oamaru to Weston, Enfield, Ngapa
ra and then Duntroon and discovered some country like we’ve never seen before. Pretty much the whole valley is limestone, with lots of fossils along the way. Stopped to check out one site, and it was just amazing. Whale fossils, kilometres inland – this area was once upon a time a seaway and the scenery really is 
something else. Got to Kurow at 14:15 and stopped for late lunch. Then checked out the 2nd hand shop – can’t move round it for all the junk in there! – then had a jug at the pub (Mike hadn’t been in there since his apprenticeship!) and on to Fisherman’s Bend for the night. Parked up in our usual spot and did some fishing – and Mike got a nice looking fish first cast into the lagoon! Had pork korma for tea, bed at 21:00-ish.10 September 2009
Up at 07:50 (sleep in!), 5⁰C and nice to start with, but then the wind got up, so decided to make tracks home. Stopped at Wendy’s for a cuppa and then in Cromwell for some shopping, home at 12:21 – 267641km s, which makes for a 537km trip this time.
