[Tuatapere, New Zealand] A less hectic day today but we did do more driving than average. Our total distance is now just short of 2000km and the van is doing fine. We left Curio bay after a luke warm shower and under perfect blue skies (it was even hot). We headed for Slope Point :gps:(GPS)::-46.67388::169.00143:gps:, the southern most point on south island and by default the southern most point on our trip. A short stroll across sheep filled farmland got us to the markers and the obligatory photo. The wind was starting to pick up and by the look of the hunched over trees around it is not a wind to do battle with.

Invercargill was our next ‘city’. It’s the 3rd largest city on South Island (Southernmost city in the world) but the wide streets devoid of traffic made it feel like a dorp as we drove past the outskirts on our way to Bluff at the end of the peninsula. We lunched at the Bluff view point with sand-flies and the smell of a burnt clutch (the road up was almost too steep for the van). After taking in the 360 degree vista we headed down to Stirling point and the very end of the road. A sign post indicated 18 958km to London (it’s only taken us 8.5 months!). We were also lucky enough to spot a small pod of dolphins playing just off the point. The public loo deserves special mention with it’s automatic door complete with Star Trek sound effect, 10 minute usage countdown and bowel relaxing music. I just want to know what it does to you when you have used up your 10 minutes ?

We stopped briefly in Invercargill on our way back for fuel and supplies. We like the ‘New World’ food stores – you get a discount coupon for petrol from them which comes in handy. We took a walk/run along the main street just as the rain started to bucket down, snapped a few photos and bailed back into the van. Seems we are getting fussy. Campsites at Riverton (the oldest town on the South Island) and Colac Bay did not reach our ‘standards’ so we just kept driving.

On the way to Tuatapere is a ‘Gemstone Beach’ where you’re encouraged to collect a few stones. We were the only ones there. Not surprising the rain was pouring down. I think we lasted around 5 minutes. Tuatapere is another tiny town but declares itself ‘Sausage’ Capitol of the world… Hmm… Wonder what the Germans have to say about that? Anyway we found a campsite (after checking 2 that were wither closed or not acceptable) and took shelter from the rain in the common kitchen. ‘Shooters Backpackers’ campsite was empty but the rooms were full of much older folk and a young German couple on touring bikes. Riding in the rain today could not have been much fun! V made good use of the kitchen baking us up a pizza as I relaxed at the dining table. These camp facilities never cease to amaze – you really don’t need your own stove, pots, pans, cutlery or crockery when you go ‘camping’ in New Zealand.

[Pictures: A view from Bluff (yip it was overcast). It’s another sign ! and Invercargill town centre in the rain]

Some Not very extreme sheep herding

– Posted from my iPhone via 3G