Thursday, 4th January 2018
Today we had an early start – Eve had suggested that we set off on our drive to Invercargill by 8 am so we made sure we had everything packed to carry out to the the car before then. Indeed, both Gerry and i were well ahead of schedule but then I had set my alarm clock for 6 am – enough time to shower and tidy up the downstairs apartment where we have spent the last few days! Although the day started off with grey clouds, we did not get any rain on the way – in fact the sun came out so that by the time we stopped at the Old Sod Cottage – a quaint cottage that was built in the 1860s in the vicinity of Milton as a stopping place for miners heading to the Tuapeka Goldfields – we could feel the warm temperatures!
We then continued our road trip and it was time that we stopped for our breakfast – we found a really cute place on our way in Owaka which did a perfect hearty breakfast and which we enjoyed out in the garden – Catlins Cafe. Besides enjoying a hearty breakfast of French toast with bacon and maple syrup for Gerry and myself and pancakes with fruit and bacon with maple syrup for Eve and Ralph, we also enjoyed the signs that were put up at this cafe: Bathroom Rules: Gentlemen, stand closer, it is shorter than you think; Ladies, Please remain seated for the entire performance. And another sign before you entered the cafe: Please remove sandy shoes, dirty boots and smelly socks. Luckily we still had clean shoes and socks and we had showered that morning!!
On our way again after having having feasted on our breakfast! And the drive further was ever so scenic – well Ralph did choose the scenic route to Invercargill, even though it was a few kilometres longer! Our next stop to stretch our legs and to admire a small waterfall was at the Purakaunui Waterfalls which are one of Otago’s iconic, most-photographed sights. However when we visited, this waterfall was not really gushing as it’s the dry season right now but still we got a very good impression and view of the three tiered falls. The track is a mature beech, fern and fir tree forest and the the light of the sun shining through the woods created wonderful light effects.
We continued on the dirt road till we came out on the main road again and after a few minutes’ drive we came to a fantastic spot where we had to get out and get some pictures take. This was at Florence Hill Lookout and overlooking Tautuku Beach and Jack’s Blowhole which is located in Tunnels Rocks Scenic Reserve. A large cavity that’s 55 metres deep and 200 metres from the sea, the blowhole was formed after a large subterranean cavern caved in. At high tide during a swell, waves are compressed through the underground tunnel and explode out of the blowhole. Unfortunately, it was low tide and we could not see this interesting phenomenon !
We still had a further hour’s drive to Invercargill, so we continued with our drive till we got there – parked the car and got tickets for the first of the museums the men wanted to see ( so us ladies joined too) and that was the Motorbike museum. Obviously Eve and I, though we could appreciate both the antique and more modern motorbikes, we went through the exhibition quicker than the men. My interest was to see the Indian motorbike called the Bullet which still had a speed record that hasn’t yet been broken – driven by Burt Munro back in the 1950’s, it is now displayed in a hardware store!
And finally it is time to check in to our hotel and after freshening up enjoy a good meal in the restaurant across the road!
