I was so busy writing about Stewart Island that I didn't include anything about Invercargill before we went. On the Sunday we drove from Fortrose straight to the Isite in Invercargill where the very helpful lady had accommodation and return ferry tickets, leaving the next day, booked for us in no time. One night at the South Seas Hotel on the waterfront and then 3 nights in a quaint self-contained sleepout, with water views, just up the hill.
Then we popped down to the fruit and vege market at the College and had a wander through the city before settling into the Central City camp ground, a nice little spot with new owners - very clean and an easy walk into town where we had a very hot and spicy curry at Little India - nice restaurant and the waiter was very attentive bringing us raiita when he knew our mouths were on fire. Medium and med/hot are usually fine for us but not this time even though we still really enjoyed it. The restaurant has a couple of customers on Stewart Island whom they deliver to by air occasionally!
We drove to Bluff the next morning in plenty of time for the 9.30 ferry to the Island and parked the bus in the secure parking area down by the wharf.
When we arrived back later on Friday it was nice to see that it was still secure however. We decided to park in town at the Workingmens Club which is one of the free parks in our NZMCA book. However when we got there we found that there was a wedding on so their were no spare parks although there was already one motorhome settled in. So we joined another one on the roadside of the busy street which was very noisy until about midnight at which time we could start to get some sleep. The worst problem for us was that our house battery died even though there has been lots of sun to charge it through the solar panel. This meant that firstly there was no TV, then the water pump wouldn't work and then the lights failed. Thank goodness for my big plastic water bottle and my headlamp!
So Saturday morning saw us off on a battery chase and it was 3rd time lucky with AJ's having one of the exact battery that we needed. We were pleased that we were in Invercargill when it failed and not out in the sticks.
After I had a much needed haircut we spent the rest of sunny, hot Saturday biking around the city, lagoon, down the river and through Queens Gardens where we felt sorry for the two frail imprisoned Kaka in the aviary after seeing all the strong healthy ones on Stewart Island.
On leaving the city for Riverton we popped in to see Carlene's brother and sister in the lovely house that her Mum and Stepdad own just on the outskirts of the city. It was really nice to catch up with them both and they coped with the surprise visit very well!
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