Wildlife Reserve 23 to 26 February 2014

23 February 2014
13:30, 18.5 degrees.  Despite blustery, somewhat cool winds and fresh snow on the hills this morning, we are off. Forecast is for ok weather, but much cooler than the last week (had 39.7 on our thermometer on Thursday!). Mike finished nights this morning. Maggie now also has new back tyres, after splitting one coming back from Mavora. Off to Wildlife because that's where the weather is looking to be the best.  And as Mike was getting takeaway pad thai there was a report on the news of possible severe thunderstorms in Canterbury and North Otago for this afternoon. Oh, well, she'll be right.  Got to Otematata just after 16:15.  No signs of thunderstorms but odd squall in the distance. But, oh boy - we have never seen so much traffic through the Lindis - in both directions!  Had a drink at the pub, got to wildlife reserve and bugger: a permanent caravan has moved into our spot from last time.  Oh well, back to another old favourite: on the left by the trees. And while setting up we remembered that we had no water - just as well we hadn't completely set up!  So off 100 meters forward, fill up and back again.  And then 3 attempts at getting up on the levelling blocks! One of them was on stones and kept being spun back underneath Maggie! Never had that happen!
Spent the days doing our usual: Mike trying to catch a fish, Marielle looking after dogs and stitching. Got very windy on Monday afternoon from the north, then again on Tuesday afternoon from the south. Spent Wednesday morning enjoying the fabulous weather before packing up and heading home via The Wrinkly Rams and Cromwell New World.

Mavora Lakes 7 - 11 Feb 2014

7 February 2014
318095 kms, 23 degrees, 12:30pm. Off to join the Miller clan at Mavora Lakes for the weekend. And we now also have new back shockies and again, what a difference!
Got to Mavora just before 18:00 after shopping in Alexandra (no cans!), lunch in Roxburgh (takeaway from China Rox - yum - eaten at the Roxburgh Rugby Club grounds and a loo stop in Lumsden.  Greeted by Blair as we stopped to register and found the rest of the group nearby our "normal" spot. And then, as we went to position us for the night: the right front tyre on Maggie is flat. So poor old Mike sent the first while of our long, long weekend changing a tyre instead of sitting relaxing with a beer (which was earned by this stage given that he finished nights only this morning!). And then, as he was finishing up with the tyre, I discovered some wires hanging from underneath the trailer! Sure enough, no tail lights as the block had rattled off on the way in! Thankfully it was dry and warm. In fact, so dry, everything is covered in a thick layer of grey dust!
After all of that we finished setting up camp and joined the group for a few beersies. Left over Chinese for tea and in bed at 11:00.

 

8 February 2014
Up to a foggy morning, 9 degrees but barometer and forecast both tell of a beautiful day to come. Which did happen - sort of - as the fog did burn off but left us with a sometimes cool southerly.  Mike spent day pottering on bike and boat while I stitched, read and kept an eye on the dogs. Mike did team up with Blair & Rob (Blairs brother) to help right a terrano and pip top which had rolled off the road as a result of the shoulder giving way!. Had fresh blue cod and paua fritters for entree thanks to Rob and now (21:15) going to have some corn and broccoli salad before heading to bed.

 

9 February 2014
Up late (07:45). On our way by 11:00 as we didn't want to be the last ones out in case of another flat. Stop and dumped at Tuatapere - GREAT facilities with rubbish, recycling, water and dump station all in one place. Bought fish and chips from The Hungry Hippo and ate them at the fisherman's camp by the Te Waewae lagoon. On to Monkey Island where we had hoped to stay for a couple of days - I don't think so! The place was packed and not our idea of a nice spot!  Shit, now where? Onto Colac Bay, which has a campground, at least. But also a spot at the very end of the bay which is gorgeous.

 

10 February 2014
Up at 07:45 (late again!). Beautiful morning. Mucked around & then took dogs for walk along road/beach right into Colac Bay township to get a coffee at The Pavilion. But they are closed Monday/Tuesday so oh well. Carried on, bought a beautiful scarf from Isobels Weaving Studio and then  checked out the statue of the surfer at the entrance. Oh, and saw Hectors Dolphins!  Went for another walk later on in the arvo and got a dozen mussels for entree.  What an awesome spot.  Dogs happy, humans happy. Sat outside admiring the flat sea in super warm conditions until 8pm.

 

11 February 2014
Up and off. Stopped for breakfast at the Zookeepers Cafe in Invercargill,  got diesel and went to New World in Gore before getting home just after 3pm. Awesome trip of 674kms!
PS - the tyre was unfixable as it had a split caused by the famous sharp stones on the road in to Mavora!