I stayed up late last night and watched Margaret Thatcher's funeral which I was glad to see went off without any major incidents.
Jon on the other hand was up sorting Bertie out three times and ended up taking some tablets. Not sure what is upsetting him.
I slept we'll once I warmed up but it was a bit chilly last night.
Of all the places we have stayed so far last night's was the worst. Not that it was bad but it could do with some modernisation. The thing is there is not that much choice around there so they are assured of customers whatever the standard. Our place was all pine walls and polystyrene ceiling and pine furniture. It wouldn't have taken much to 'update' and with the lovely friendly owner, Gaynor it is a winner.
After breakfast we went across to the supermarket to but a few provisions then came back and packed up and I made sandwiches for our lunch. After checking the room we were off again.
Our first stop was to Jack's Bay and the blowhole. The drive, ten minutes or so was fine and very pretty. The beaches down here are spectacular with beautiful sand. The DOC sign said a 20 minute walk so we set off!! It was a really hard walk up and down hills and over styles after 20 we got to the top of yet another hill and could see we still had a long way to go so, in view of the fact we didn't have much time, we turned back. Shame really but we could have gone on and then not seen anything anyway. We have to realise we can't do/see everything.
Worn out back at the car and I read one of the local leaflets I had picked up and it said an hour's walk to the blowhole! Never mind we wouldn't have started had we known.
Our next stop was to be some waterfalls and we ended up going on unsealed roads for ages. The falls info says they are the most photographed in NZ! Such a disappointment. I know we are in a drought but really? Watch out for photos on FB.
We then had a long drive to get to Slope Point which is the most southern tip of the South Island. Once again it was mostly gravel roads which are pretty slow going.
We stopped off at a holiday park and had a coffee. It was in the middle of nowhere and a very Kiwi sort of place although the coffee was not the best.
This was worth the trip as it was lovely. You have to walk across fields where sheep graze and yes, I did slip and nearly ended up on my behind! From the fields you can see across to Stewart Island and it was such a lovely, clear, calm day.
At the point there is a sign saying Equator one way and South Pole the other, pretty cool. There were not many people around and we had to wait for a couple to come down and ask them if they would take a photo of us both. I think we only saw about six people there.
Back to the car and we sat and had our picnic. There are far more birds down her in the SI and you hear them all the time which is lovely.
There is a sheep farm near the point but it is so isolated, I would hate to live there. The wind must be very strong, too as all the trees are leaning over.
We continued along the coast and I really wished we had more time as it is very beautiful on the
Catlins as the beaches are the best I have seen in NZ.
We arrived in Invercagill and I was told there was nothing much to see there. We had intended to go to Bluff and then across to Stewart Island tomorrow but the forecast is not good so we sadly decided to give it a miss and press on up to Alexandra. We did stop at the Tourist Information and buy a magnet and take a photo.
The drive to Alexandra was lovely. Back up in the mountains, the trees are all a lovely golden colour and there is so much fruit grown here. Lots and lots of sheep in fields with beautiful rock formations. It must look magical when there is snow on the mountains.
We arrived in Alexandra. A pretty place which gets some of the hottest temperatures in the summer but some of the coldest nights.
We found a motel which is very nice and just been refurbished with views to the hills though that is probably quite easy here as we are surrounded. A bonus is the free wi-fi again.
We decided to have dinner in and went to the supermarket. I was just about to settle on salad, jacket potatoes and pork steaks when I saw they had a meal deal on of half a chicken, pot of coleslaw and garlic bread so we went for that with the salad and potatoes.
I set to in my little kitchen but as I had no oven I improvised and cooked the garlic bread, in the foil in a frying pan (my girl guide skills I think).
We both really enjoyed a home cooked dinner and, fingers crossed, so has Bertie!
We watched some TV and then I started my blog which has taken forever as the iPad was being silly and would not let me type! Probably me pressing something without realising if the truth be told.. Still it is done now so I can go to bed knowing all my blogging fans are happy!
Night, night all.
WEATHER
Lovely day, mostly sunny with light cloud 18 degrees
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