Saturday 9 November 2024

INVERCARGILL to KINGSTON

 SATURDAY, 9th NOVEMBER.

More rain today, heavy at times but we left Invercargill at 10ish for the drive to Winton, just 27 miles north, intending to stop there for coffee.  When we arrived in the town, we found that there was a cycle time trial, Day 8 in the Tour of Southland,  in progress and some streets, including the main road, were blocked off. We parked in a side street and walked to the nearest cafe and had our coffee, then watched the cyclists for a while before going for a wander along the main street.  There were about 130 cyclists involved, plus their support crews, media, medical people etc. and best of all, the sun came out!  We spent an hour and a half in Winton, enjoying the atmosphere, the old buildings and the cycling.








On our walk we discovered a few murals




A tempting pizza sign!


As close as we could get to the gardens across the road 


and on the way out of town, a lovely old house for sale


On the road again




and a stop at Lumsden for our picnic lunch.  Although the sun was shining, the wind was bitter, going right through us but we had a look at the old train and station








before we were on our merry way again





On the way, we stopped for a closer look at the very impressive Returned Servicemen Memorial in the shape of a book at in Athol



then called at the nearby shop for icecreams, and continued on, enjoying the almost straight road, little traffic and the lovely scenery,






and shortly after, arrived in Kingston, where we'll be staying in a log cabin for tonight



Ours is second from the left, and it's been most enjoyable sitting out on the deck in the sunshine, not going anywhere, just having a break from travel.







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