Feb 28 Alexandra to Dunedin
At Clyde I had discussed the Alexandra Museum with the ladies. They were somewhat disparaging about it, making comparisons with Te Papa. The first problem I had was finding it. My street map turned out to be a year old so I had to make enquiries at the Council offices. They pointed me back towards the motel, where there was a smart new building.
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The fact that I hadn’t spotted it was explained by the fact that the large sign on the front said “Central Stories”. There was a very small sign saying “Museum” but this was hidden.
My worst prejudices thus aroused, I ventured inside and was reasonably impressed. They had lots of “stuff” and some good information boards. There was even an excellent working model of a gold dredger. There was very little on the town, itself, although some discussion of the origins of the name.
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I drove straight upwards to the viewing point overlooking both the town and the Manuherikia Valley, stopped to take photos and then drove on to Galloway Flat, to visit the station on the Rail Trail where I hit my lowest ebb a few years ago and nearly expired. The temperature was rising fast and I was glad that I wasn’t walking.
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From there I followed the rail trail into the Ida Valley. This was lush and pretty with lots of yellow flowers illuminating the sheep. Everything that wasn’t irrigated was brown – but it normally is.
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At Ranfurly I stopped to buy postcards at the old Railway Station, had a quick look round the town and then drove across the Maniototo to Hyde for lunch. The old pub is now a café and hotel and the resident dog was busy trying to catch a sparrow as I arrived. Being a somewhat rotund Jack Russell, it failed in its attempt and returned to begging for sandwiches and crisps. I had a good sandwich & a long chat with the owner, who gave me more horror stories of people getting heat stroke on the walk.
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From there I went downhill all the way to Dunedin, over the amazing rocky landscape, onto the Taieri Plain and into the city. I encountered Charlie, considerably bigger than when I last saw him, and then drove across the city to Paul’s for dinner, dog walking and bed.
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