Buller Gorge and Murchison
Trip Start
Nov 18, 2009
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68
235
Trip End
Jul 08, 2010
Murchison, South Island, New Zealand
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
We travelled back on ourselves today as travelling back to Westport and then starting our first cross country trip at the Northern end of the South island. Aim is to be at Murchison, about 190kms by 3pm to find good campsite.
Stopped for lunch, rather early but we found a good pulling off spot just after a bridge over the Buller River. We have been travelling down the Buller Gorge with some fantastic views that occasionally I peep at and then find I'm 5 metres from a hairpin bend travelling at 80 km per hour, and have to do a handbrake turn to get around the corner leaving huge black tyre marks smoking on the road……………….. not really I just wanted to make sure Helens mum and dad are awake at this point and trust me to look after their daughter.
We also visited Buller Gorge Swing Bridge, which is advertised as the longest in New Zealand. Rather wobbly and only one way traffic, so Hels loved it. With her new found confidence I can even get her to turn around for photos, but if you look carefully at the eyes you can still see some concern! In fact Hels was so concerned at one point that she actually shouted, yes shouted at me because the bridge was swinging wildly and I was walking behind her. She had assumed that I was doing a bit of break dancing on the bridge until she realised that it was a young lad at the far end of the bridge who was jumping up and down. I have played the poor, hurt me routine nicely and Hels is doing the evening meal as penance.
Booked into Kiwi campsite with resident emus. Took a good picture of one and tried to use him for a Rod Hull impression. He or she wasn’t amused.
Walked into town to find Piriton shop for Hels bites that itch….no luck but we did find a museum of old farm machinery….it was actually quite interesting or the outside exhibits were as the indoor bit closed at 4pm.
About to eat and then plan tomorrow.
Comments
What a shame - missed you by a day. We were in Murchison on Tuesday (well passing through anyway). Sounds like you are having a wonderful time.
If you get to Motueka give Todd a txt (0276978912) - he was a little apprehensive when we left him on Tuesday.
Love Jane
Tony/Helen
Apologies for not entering a comment. Mad at work, investigating an incident in the mouth of Yarmouth harbour. Tony, if you had been in residence, it would'nt have happened?
Anyway, catching up and see what a great expereince you are having. I need a full update on your return, with regard to the camper van tour.
Got to go, looking forward to further updates.
Love to you both
Joyce, George, Stuart & Yvette
Hi did you get my email re accomodation in wellington?? hope so.
It sounds as though you are having a great time I really enjoy reading your blog
Take care Love Trish