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Kaikoura to Picton - 20 March 2025

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When we pop our heads out today, we know why it was so damn cold last night - there is a fresh layer of snow a 3rd of the way down the mountains.  The sun is out thank god and we pack up this morning so we can move north to Picton to catch the ferry at sparrows fart tomorrow.  After taking Goochie for a walk, we hit the road again. Definitely snow up there We have gone from 33.6 degrees to snow - it is a bit early for this to be happening it is only March! There is a number of roadworks along this part of our trip but we make it into Picton and get to our camp. Tasman Holiday Parks, which is a good camp and very friendly.  The lady on reception tells us about Waikawa, which is the just down the road we are on and the local pub and marina, so after a bite and we are all set up we go for the short drive down to this side of Picton that we have not known about. The marina is very large and pub looks good - also another nice looking campground there. The Sounds Campsite tonig...
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Amberley to Kaikoura - 19 March 25

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It stopped raining enough this morning for us to pack up of caravan and head off after saying thanks to John & Elaine.  We are heading out for Kaikoura making our way to Picton ferry to head home.  The day is wet and dreary and Kaikoura seems to be getting the worst of it and is very wet.  The Top 10 has moved all campers onto the concrete pads due to the water around the grounds and the temperature is around 11 degrees.  We arrive in camp and set up in the rain.  After getting this done, we dry off and turn the heater on as it will be another day hunkering down. We managed to get a break in the weather in the afternoon and take Goochie for a walk around the town - we have been any many times and not much has changed but the temporary container shops erected after the earthquake have all gone now and the lot is empty. Wrapped up well from the cold Goochie not impressed with the rain Goochie is shivering from the cold when we get back.  Daryl changes the...
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Timaru to Amberley - 18/03/25

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  We head off today in sunshine but soon run into rain, which pretty much was how the rest of the day lasted.  The temperature has dropped to around 15 degrees overnight. Last night we booked on line for a campsite at Spencers Beach Top 10, just north of Christchurch.  Neither of us had heard of Spencers Beach but when we got out there, we remember going to a very nice house just down the road before the turn off the the camp on a rod run a few years ago. When we arrive at camp they are still cleaning up after a music festival and we see a no dogs sign.  We had noted we had Goochie on the booking which had been confirmed twice.  The long and the short of it was, we were not allowed a dog there but they may put us way over the back of the camp away form everyone (and any facilities).  It was raining, the campground was out in the sticks, full of pine trees and we were happy to have the refund and try a POP we were looking at yesterday. We call John & Ela...
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Dunedin to Timaru via Oamaru - 17/03/25

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Our aim today was to get to Oamaru as we have not really stopped here before but rather just driven through.  We decided we would get there and then see how the day was going. Driving along the lakeside Moeraki Boulders The Gooch Along the way we stop at  Moeraki Boulders, which we have been to before but wanted to see again.  They are captivating in their roundness One that has smashed open with different layers exposed A whole one that has rolled down cliff Next, we stop in Oamaru for a look around and lunch. Finally got our cheese rolls to try.  There are amazing old whitestone buildings here with wonderful decorative carved stonework that you just don't see so much nowadays. Oamaru is also the NZ Capital of Steam Punk Gardens in main street Parking our camper in town We decide to keep heading north and we get to our camp at Timaru Top 10 tonight in very hot conditions, we had to wrap Goochie in a wet towel to keep him cool.  The weather showed that Timaru ha...
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Invercargill to Dunedin - 16/03/25

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 It's time to start heading home as Daryl wants to be back for Beach Hop this year.  Today we pack up and head for Dunedin, staying at Dunedin Holiday Park in Saint Kilda, Dunedin. Got very foggy for part of the way We stopped in Balclutha to find some lunch and get supplies as we remember where the New World is from a previous trip.  There is only one cafe open and it was very busy. Balclutha  Arriving at camp, we set up and then take a walk to the beach.  OMG it is like being in American Pie or something - no wonder the kids want to come and study down here, out of the way and they are having a ball.  The beach was crowded with students aged kids everywhere. St Kilda Beach in Dunedin Water was cold Us on the beach feeling overdressed Goochie was hot so we had to entice him to swim The waters cold Dad!  I'm outta here Back at camp there seems to be party building with lots of students, lots of alcohol and cars.  May not be a quiet night!
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