Waimate and Waitaki, 21 to 26 October 2011

NZMCA Park, Waimate

Decided that we might go over towards Waimate, as they are having the Waimate 50 weekend - a weekend of car racing events.  So spent the first night at Ohau C, Mike caught one tiddly fish but seeing as the weather was not nearly as warm as we thought it should be, we carried on. 
Got to Waimate and after driving around looking for parking spots, decided the NZMCA park was the only suitable place. 
Spent that night and the next day watching the racing, and left Waimate on Monday morning (Labour day).  As we were driving just past Waihao Forks, there's a signpost pointing down a road we've never been before. 

Maybe should have read
 this more carefully first!

So, in typical Mike fashion, off we go, saying "I wonder where this will take us?"  Well, over hill and down dale - on a very narrow dirt road! 

Got to a ford after several steep climbs, tight corners with major drop-offs and stared at it for quite a few minutes, wondering if we'd get through ok.  Thing is, we couldn't turn around, and we couldn't reverse all the way back to the start, so here goes. 

Oh yes, the AB's won!!!!!

No problem in the end!  Got to the Hakataramea Valley and parked up at a park not far from Te Akatarawa Campsite.  And just as well we did - we were ok all night, but there were such strong winds that there was damage everywhere in the lower South Island - and we never felt a thing!  But next morning was cold and windy, so we decided to head home.  Only thing is, we stopped at Neville and Wendy's for a coffee and ended up staying the night!  Another too late and too much to drink night, but oh, it was good!