After packing up and checking out, we swung by Will’s friend Jason’s place to pick up a chilly bin (aka cooler), a stop at a fruit stand for more apricots for the road and then some ice.
Heading south, we made a quick stop to view the Clyde Damn. Will warned us the landscape would change along our drive every 30 minutes, and he was correct. Such a beautiful country. Twisty roads and steep mountains, turned into farm fields and SHEEP! After not seeing a single sheep in my first week here, I was starting to believe the rumour of a 50:1 ratio of sheep:people was incorrect! Not so!
We drove through Alexandra, en route to Roxburgh where we stopped for a quick lunch and coffee. We all tried the “space age” public toilets! So strange! Upon entering and using the button to close the door (we were unsure to trust that it was locked), an announcement warned of a 10 minute time limit. The radio began to play for your voiding pleasure! After doing your business, some investigation was required to find the sensor to have TP dispensed. Then the soap, water and paper towel required some magic to get the sensors to work…so strange, but good for a laugh!
We proceed on to Gore, where Will reminisced about childhood memories of visiting when the brown trout statue was unveiled! A walk to find a Chemist (pharmacy) was in order (nothing serious Mom and Gloria), but it appears Gore shuts down at noon on a Saturday. While we couldn’t find a pharmacy open, Will managed to find a Flat White and Jody had a conversation about finding God and having his soul saved by a stranger on a scooter!
More awesome views of rural New Zealand farmland, sheep, deer, cows were taken in, while farm equipment provided entertainment in the form of the tractor game – 1 point for spotting a stationary tractor, 5 points for a moving tractor and you win if you spot a tractor “shop”!! Hilarious! Note was also made of the regular appearance of directional arrows on the road to keep “foreigners” heading in the correct direction. I am still confused when crossing the road (look right, left, right!)
After passing through Lumsden, we arrived in Te Anau, or just outside and with a quick call to our host, we landed at Cottage 45. OMG! Such beautiful respite! I could spend a week here. We asked the ducks and cows and they confirmed no sign of Covid-19 here!! The cottage is so sweet and the moutain vistas are awe-inspiring. The moutain range to the right of our deck is the Kepler, which we considered when the Routebourn was closed due to significant rain (+1m in 24 hrs) and slips taking out the trail and huts. Our host Ian delivered us 4 slices of bread for breakfast, to have with the fresh eggs on the counter.
A short 10 minute drive into Te Anau to get our bearings around town was in order. We landed at the Fat Duck Gastropub for supper, which was a happening spot. Jody and Will both savoured Venison Medallions, Michelle enjoyed Lamb Shank and I devoured Wild Hare Gnocchi! All animals we spotted on our drive today!
Tomorrow we will rest up, do laundry and get provisions for our hike on the Milford Track…all while soaking in this lovely location in Te Anau.
It all looks amazing, bringing back memories for me of my trip many years ago to NZ. Thank you for bringing me along with you!