We're always finding interesting places to stop and this was no exception: an impressive-looking hotel built in the late 19th century, full of atmosphere and memorabilia.
Inside, a collection of toy vintage cars.
There was only one other customer so inevitably we fell into conversation with him. Incredibly his surname was also Wright! Bill told us he was born in Queen Charlotte's Hospital, Hammersmith (where his father was an obstetrician), but has lived in New Zealand all his adult life. He's a barrister in Dunedin, and was on his way to a family wedding. He gave us his contact details and invited us to look him up when we got to Dunedin.
A copy of the original licence........
......and the original licensee.
How the hotel looked in the 1920s. What wonderful cars. Real Bonnie and Clyde.
And the snug today.
And, of course, a cup of coffee.
Next door, but not owned by the same person, was a vineyard. The South Canterbury foothills is a relatively new area of viticulture but an obviously expanding one.
No 'Dreaming Spires' to be seen in this Oxford.....
......but a pleasant stream.
We stopped further along the road at Rakaia Gorge, a steep-sided defile created by an ancient lava flow.
We stopped at a lookout and in the car park was a 1919 Rolls Royce.
Then we walked up to the bridge..
......to find a spectacular view of the river valley...
......with striking clear blue water.....
.......and some trout fishing .
Steve had to be dragged away to our destination.
Geraldine: In our last blog we said there wasn't much to write about this town (apart from its huge jersey and replica Bayeux Tapestry!). But at least the place we stayed in was comfortable.
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