Our first port of call was Ophir Post Office. Built in 1886 for £323/6/9 it still has many of its original features. We were lucky that the post lady was there to show us around. We saw the old safe, the postal boxes, the government regulation chairs and clock. Brigid was even allowed to frank her postcards with a special Ophir date stamp.
Outside in the back garden were the old police cells. Again we had a good snoop around.
We spent some time wandering around the town following a guided walk of all the original businesses and features.
At last we made our way into Pitches' Store for tea and coffee and, believe it or not, Wifi! Oh joy! How we have missed contact with the outside world! One of the problems was that we have booked our next B&B but without Wifi, we don't know where it is! It's all in the cloud! Problem solved.
After Ophir we then made our way along to St Bathans, another mining town in the Dunstan mountains. Here were further mine buildings including a billiards room, pub, gold store, pipe house and post office (closed). Also a church, imported in sections from the UK and, inside, two harmoniums.
Of course, respecting an old Bradwell tradition, I had to try them out.
Outside the church was a single bell and again, following tradition, I had to give it a ring - but quietly!
We then discovered the blue lake where we had lunch and Brigid had a refreshing swim. For refreshing read freezing cold. But nonetheless, refreshing.
To return home we followed some back routes, mainly unsealed, and saw Hawks circling lazily in the sky above us.
The drive ended back in Omakau for tea and coffee in the Muddy Creek Cafe where we got chatting to two Kiwis, one of whom now lives in Canada.
Loved this sign in the shop next door.
If you enlarge the brass plaque it reads: In 1832 on this spot nothing happened. A person after my own heart.
Then back to Ophir for supper which was rather special.
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