Oamaru

Wednesday morning, up with the lark (ish) and on with filling, emptying, tidying and general checks prior to hitting the road. Front nearside tyre had been looking like it needed some air for the last couple of days. Not a straightforward job on Debussy as the wheel trims have to be unbolted to get to the valves!
Drove into Kurow to the only garage that was open, but the mechanic was out on a job and the pump attendant didn't know when he'd be back. We parked up on the street and waited, and waited and waited!! I went for another look at the wheel hoping for a miracle to happen when a guy walking past with his family started a conversation with me about all things tyres and wheels! Turns out he's a tyre fitter (a miracle!). He had a look, thought I should be able to get at the valve to put some air in and told us who to see in Oamaru to repair the puncture.
Sure enough, I managed to pump it up, then raced off to Oamaru hoping it would hold out for 65km, which it did.
Most of Oamaru was still closed so had to wait another day (staying at a POP just north of town) before the puncture was repaired. The inner tube burst when the mechanic was looking for the leak, so I think we were lucky not to have had it happen while driving!
After lunch and fitting a new radio antenna we drove to the North Otago golf course just out of town and had a round on their hilly and interesting course, which has a footbridge over the road to the 13th to 16th holes. Distant thunder was coming closer and the rain started on the 16th so the last 3 holes were played at a running pace to try to get off the course before being struck by lightening! Stayed overnight in their car park and since the mens changerooms had showers, I enjoyed a higher pressure wash than normal.

The lull after the drenching thunderstorm

Today, after having Debussy's nipples greased, we walked around the historical centre of Oamaru. Some impressive Victorian architecture in what was a thriving wool, grain and meat exporting port; even exporting frozen meats to the UK in the 1870's. The old mills are now being used as art galleries and craft workshops.

 The town went into a major decline after a sharp drop in commodity prices and it is easy to see signs of both the "boom" and "bust" periods of its history. We also enjoyed walking through the pretty town gardens. There was even a kids playground with a digger having levers and a front scoop you could operate. Wish they'd been around when I was a kid! Also wish we'd remembered the camera so I could have taken a shot of Trish playing on it! -L