South Island 10.4.15 Stewart Island to Te Anau

Up early again today to get the 8am ferry back to Bluff. Another lovely sunrise and a flat calm morning which augured well for a happy crossing of Foveaux Strait. Max and Chris were waiting for us on the wharf and as their ferry was delayed we were able to have a decent chat. They are also having a wonderful trip. After collecting the car we drove straight through Invercargill and on to Riverton where we spent some time in the museum recommended by Max and Chris.

Sunrise over the Bay from our balcony at the Bay Motel, Oban

A mob of sheep that we had to stop for

Oban from the ferry as we were leaving 

Excellent display of the Maori and European history of the district. Lunch in Mrs. Clarks  Cafe  est. 1891.  A more innovative menu and I had delicious fish cakes. Bill tried the equally good Mexican corn fritters. An unexpected find in a tiny somewhat run down little village. But when we emerged it had started to rain! And the rain came down harder and harder. We stopped at the Clifden Suspension Bridge ( now closed to traffic) that was quite an engineering feat in 1890. At the time it was the longest span suspension bridge in NZ. The concrete pillars were all mixed and poured by hand in buckets. The rain eased off fortunately and after checking in to our motel in Te Anau we went down to Real Journeys to check in for tomorrow's trip to Doubtful Sound. Te Anau has changed enormously since our last visit. Much development and many more shops etc. heaps of accommodation all seeming to show no vacancy signs. We walked down to dinner at The Moose in the freezing cold. A nice dinner in a very busy restaurant, lamb shanks for Bill and melt in the mouth pork belly for me.