Coalgate, Whitecliffs Domain, Methven

After our 2 nights at the Hororata golf course in Glentunnel we drove around the corner, through the tiny settlement of Coalgate, to the circular Centennial Coalgate Bluff walkway which our golfing partners had suggested we do. It was a little difficult to find as there was no signage visible from the road but after driving past it and then back we did guess where it might be which luckily was correct. Pauline said it only took her 50 minutes to do so we didn't bother taking any water but after walking about 200 metres and finding the sign we found it said 2-3 hours! 

Anyway we decided to press on, doing the climb up to the Bluff first. It was very windy but after a steady climb there were great views out across the Canterbury plains to the Port Hills. It was sunny and hot with plenty of dragonflies about.

By the time we reached the edge of the large plantation of trees with farmland still on our left we were more protected. However the track coming down through the trees to the river was very steep and slippery with pine needles and the trees were creaking a lot with the wind.  Originally there would have been  steps on the steepest parts of the track but only the remains of these could be seen suggesting that no maintenance has been done since the millennium! We didn't see any other people on the track so I guess it's not used much. Once down to the Selwyn river we could hear the water and get glimpses of it every now and then when the shrubbery and trees were thinner. We could hear people playing on the golf course across the river. I think we ended up taking less than an hour and a half so we were fine without the water. Besides there were plenty of wild plums about even though they were still a little bitter.

Following the walk we drove back through Glentunnel to Whitecliff's Domain, a large virtually free (donation only) camping area amongst lots of trees next to the Selwyn River.

Lucky to get TV signal here

How to lose that spare tyre!

It was busy with what looked like a whole streetload of friends, complete with their own cable drum bar, camped down the far end. It seems they come and go from there all summer (for the last 27 years!) although 28 days is meant to be the max. It was a great camping spot and the long drop toilets were kept very clean which is a change from a lot of places. Luckily we are very happy with our bus loo though.

We had planned to drive up to Lake Coleridge the next day but needed to dump first and fill up with water so we had to turn back to Rakaia where there is a dump station by the river. Unfortunately there was no  water and the little camp ground up the road, being on tank water, had barely enough for it's own visitors so we had to go back to Methven where we knew there was water. The only problem there was that it was a different kind of tap and neither of our 2 hose fittings were small enough. Luckily the couple who had filled up just before us kindly lent us theirs. After their 10-15 minute wait for us to use it they were very pleased to be the recipients of our one and only cake of chocolate! And we were very grateful as the only hardware shop in town - Hammer Hardware - didn't have that hose fitting in stock.

I'm in need of a haircut but both the hairdressers in town were closed even though it was a Friday. I remember that 6 years ago I went to a hairdresser in Methven who worked from her own house but she doesn't seem to be about anymore.

So, being back in Methven we decided to play golf again on the course that we played 6 years ago in the thick mist and light drizzle from memory. A different day this time with blue sky and hot .  We couldn't really remember the course from last time except for the pretty and pristine stone edged little lake near the 14th tee.
We found the fairway grass a little long so the ball wasn't running like at Hororata and the ball would be enveloped in longish grass and dried clippings if you couldn't stay on the fairways. We were both disappointed with our games especially me after my amazing score at Hororata! A come-uppance I think!

Leaving our accommodation 

We stayed the night in the carpark which you can do when you play. No showers in the Clubhouse unfortunately so the bus one was the fall back.