FreeSpirit : We reach the centre of New Zealand

Tuesday 20 December 2022

We reach the centre of New Zealand

December 19th

I just don't understand some folk. They have no qualms about waking everyone up at a silly time in the morning (1 am) by starting the van engine and then instead of moving off, talking loudly on the phone for ages. Ian was furious, he crawled out of bed, got dressed and banged loudly on the van door. He was greeted by a quizzical look when ~~demanded~~ asked nicely what he thought he was doing by starting the engine at that time of night. "I'm leaving" said the guy. "Then blooming well go (I'm being polite as stronger language was used) and don't just sit there running your engine!" He went, peace was restored although neither of us went straight back to sleep. The rain still noisy on the pop top and the drips falling from it kept as awake a lot longer.

I forgot to mention that one of the locals at the Waiau Tavern gave us a small joint of pork! Didn't want payment, said he had a freezer load and could never get through it all himself. It was frozen so went straight in the small freezer compartment. What we forgot was the fridge gets turned off every night, saves the leisure battery, and of course it defrosted. That in itself was okay, I had plans to cut it up and make three meals out of it. What I hadn't realised until this morning when I went to get the eggs out for our breakfast was that the joint had leaked! Blood juice all over the bottom of the fridge and a plastic box containing the salad vegetables, which luckily had the lid on. Spent a good 30 minutes yesterday morning with hot soapy water giving the whole thing a thorough clean.

So back to today. With the amount of rain last night, first thing was walk back down to the Maruia Falls. Wow, the rocks we had crossed to get to the front had completely disappeared. Difficult to tell in this photo but the volume of water cascading over the ridge was amazing.

Ian had the top down and everything stowed for the journey to Nelson by the time I got back. Rain was still falling, would it ever stop? The colour of the river showed how much it had risen and the mud it was now carrying downstream.

More roadworks on the SH65 but why two traffic lights and both on red? Suddenly this yellow cover appeared as if all by itself. Freaked me out somewhat! Ah, but then it all became clear. There was a chap trying to cover one of the lights. He had been hidden from view, phew I thought some unexplained phenomena was occurring.

At Murchison a launderette was spied, good-oh, we could get the washing done and dried in under an hour. Enough time for a wander around Murchison.

'Tis but a tiny place, has a café, op shop, clothing shop, small grocery store, garage and a gifts shop. It also has an antique centre. Talk about nostalgia. Everything there from way back Victorian times to early 60s. Ian was particularly interested in the rusty old vanguard bottom left of the photo. His dad had one, and he remembered a dent in the nearside wing that his sister had put there whilst learning to drive. Chris, Sheilas boyfriend at the time, and Ian repaired it with a welder and big hammer!

The time went quickly, and back onto the road once more to head for Nelson.

Along the Kohatu Kawatiri Highway there is a lookout called Hope Saddle. It was a great place to stop for a short break, the lookout was a 10-minute return walk along a small track.

Finally arrived in Nelson and the first place to go was to the centre of New Zealand. Yep, 2 islands, one centre! Gosh, it took some finding though, eventually parked at Botanical Hill. A board showed which track to take. What it didn't mention was the climb! 1 km and a 20 minute hike. Yea right! For those fit and could walk fast, maybe, but for like a geriatric like me, more like 35 minutes! I suppose it does depend on where you start from. We started from the Maitai Road. at Branford Park. That climb was brutal and over some very rocky ground with gravel paths only on the hairpins, and there were loads!

From the 'you are here' sign we followed the blue path along the top of the sign and then to the yellow path outlined in black.

When we eventually made it to where a road took us to the lookout, I'm not exaggerating when I say without my poles I wouldn't have made it up to the top. Even Ian was breathing heavy, and he is so much more fitter than me! The views were worth every bit of the agony of the climb, shame benches had been put right by the needle that depicts the centre. Can't but help to get strangers in the photo if they sit on them. This from the web page nelson 360 and by the way, that was not actually the centre of New Zealand. That lies 50km South West in the Spooner Range.

In the heart of Nelson is Montgomery Square car park. From there the shopping centre can be reach with ease. It was here we chose to spend the night. Self contained vehicles are permitted within the blue lines only and a fine of $500 if the rules are breached. We arrived to a near full car park of cars only. Not a single motorhome or camper in sight. There was one space found behind the blue line, so we took it quick. Opposite was the 24-hour public toilets and a building with more toilets (20c) and showers but only open between the hours of 5 pm and 8 am. We arrived minutes after it had closed. No shower for me tonight then! This is the first time we have stopped in a city car park overnight, so it is yet to be seen whether it was the wisest move to make.

And wildlife,