Day 11 - The Catlins in BAD Weather!

Our night in the DOC camp was OK but after dark a number of small so-called 'self contained' cars arrived. It's a bit weird as we sit in comfort with the heater on, TV or stereo playing enjoying a glass of wine and a great meal. Outside we can hear the opening and closing of car doors as the inhabitants of these other vehicles have to keep getting out and in again to do whatever their evening requires. That sort of travelling must be pretty tiring and uncomfortable when the weather was as bad it now is!

It rained off-and-on through the night and we were occasionally rocked by wind gusts. After a mushroom omelette for breakfast we re-traced our route from yesterday around to the Curio Bay Café for a late morning coffee. The trip was quite slow as the weather was terrible and the wind gusts make it tricky driving a large vehicle like ours. I kept the speed to a very sedate 65-70 kph and we had no drama.

Next stop was the southernmost point of the South Island - Slope Point. By now driving conditions were even worse so the speed was more like 55 kph. From the carpark it was a 20 minute walk through farmland to the small lighthouse and marker sign post. I donned my clean trousers, parka, gloves and set off. It was very unpleasant but had to be done! When I got back I had to change trousers as they got a bit wet and muddy. Miriam, meanwhile, stayed warm and dry in the van.

Next stop was further along the coast at Waipapa Point. By now it was mostly just very windy so Miriam did make the short walk to the light house. The wind strength on the cliff edge was even stronger and very cold. As we drove up the hill on our way to our overnight stop it was wind and hail!

At Fortrose we had lunch in their café before driving the 12km to Tokanui for some bread at their general store as we had run out a couple of days ago.

Then it was back to Fortrose and we parked up at a friendly couple's park-over-property for the night. There is a also a free-camping area near the park on the shore of the estuary but I abandoned this idea as we nearly got stuck driving through the designated parking area. Our host here is Harry and he seems a very cheerful and friendly guy - no charge to park.