Fond farewells

Today, Saturday, saw us bidding fond farewells to Pat & Bill. Bill was so upset that he went off to the Blokes Shed so that we wouldn't see him cry when we finally drove off. Mind you, they could well have been tears of joy as they would be getting their house back to themselves! 

Once again we set off along SH1. Passing through Waihola we saw a sign with: No doctor; No hospital; One cemetery. 

Shortly after, Brigid shouted out: 'Stop the car, I've found a place just for you'. 

Old Sod Cottage! 

This cottage is an original made out of mud blocks and has been restored by a preservation society. They have done a wonderful job and inside is just as it would have been in its heyday. 

We then drove on to Gore where we stopped for lunch in The Thomas Green, a very smart pub. 

I finished my meal with a flat white. This is a white coffee, like a cappuccino but less frothy. 

Gore is a large town with plenty of shops. 

We stopped here to get some supper items to take to our first B&B. We're not sure how it's going to work out because there are no cooking facilities where we are going. 

In the afternoon we had a bit of time to spare so we made a detour to see the Mavora lakes. This involved a drive of about 18 miles along unsealed roads. These are roads that are just gravelly and dusty. What was a red car is now a grey car! Plenty of slip sliding around corners and dust clouds from other cars. But, when we got there, the scenery was out of this world. 

It was around here that they filmed the Silverlode River and Fangorn Forest (below) for The Lord of the Rings. 

Then we drove off into the hills to find our B&B. And look what we found. 

On our arrival, Lynne, our host, greeted us with a welcome pot of tea - picture below. 

Our room is west facing and gets all the afternoon and evening sun. A fact I find strange is that the sun rises on our right hand side and sets on our left. But then, we are upside down here. 

This is the view we will wake up to tomorrow! 

We have a little outside sitting area and I have been promised a swinging chair for tomorrow. 

Here's madam enjoying her afternoon tea. 

And, lastly, our view across the Fiordland National Park.