Success is getting what you want; happiness is liking what you get

Saturday 31 March 2012

Back to Central Otago

The Kingston Flyer put on a bit of a show for us as we were packing up and getting ready to leave.  There is a big charity weekend taking place, with funds being raised for the Stroke Foundation.  The engines, there are two, were puffing away and billowing steam in the cool morning air, and one was backed up to the carriages ready for the first excursion. 

 DSCF0332 Steams up!

And as bit of fun, there will be plenty of mayhem happening on the train rides today.  I caught a glimpse of the “great train robber” as he was getting his Appaloosa horse ready for when he stops the train.  All in the name of charity, you understand.

DSCF0335 Hand over your valuables

We have been having problems  with our caravan batteries lately and spent a good part of the morning in Queenstown trying to find an auto-electrician who works on a Saturday.  No such luck, it seems that they make plenty of money working Monday to Friday so don’t need to work on Saturday morning as well.  While we were here we took the opportunity to stock up on some essentials.  How’s this for a view from the supermarket car-park?

DSCF0338 “The Remarkables” viewed from the car park

With no luck getting our problem sorted in Queenstown, we went to “Plan B” and headed off for Cromwell, travelling through the Gibbston Valley.  There are many vineyards planted in this area, all covered in netting to keep the birds off the fruit. 

DSCF0342 Rows of grape vines covered in bird netting


Travelling through the Kawarau Gorge we stopped at the “Roaring Meg”, a turbulent stream which drives two quite small hydro electric stations.  Originally known as Kirtle Burn, legends suggest that it was named after Maggie Brennan, a turbulent and voluble red headed barmaid from the local hotel.  Roaring Meg is certainly a good description of the waterway when it is in flood.  Another story of the origin of the name involved a party of diggers who were accompanying two ladies from a dancing saloon.   The diggers, being gentlemen, carried the ladies across.  One of them made so much fuss that they named the stream Roaring Meg after her.

Roaring meg & Kawerau River Roaring Meg Power Station

There are no guesses where we are here.  It must be Cromwell, an important fruit growing area of Otago.

DSCF0351 We made it to Cromwell

Another 20km up the road and we reached out stop for the night.  We are staying at a POP in Lochar Burn, a rural property with lovely views of the surrounding hills.  It certainly should be peaceful here tonight.

P3311820 We are in the country tonight

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