Murchison

Yesterday we headed off in not very good  weather and drove back up the valley from Reefton to Inangahua Junction.   This is a nice drive and from there into the Upper Buller Gorge for the trip to Murchison again a nice scenic drive.  Not a lot of places to stop safely through here but we got a good view of the Inangahua earthquake slip up on the hil as we drove through..
Murchison has a very good NZMCA POP located in the town centre with all the facilities available except power on good hardstanding, a credit to the team who put it together.

NZMCA POP 1512 at Murchison

Pauline wandered into the Museum while doing the Laundry in the local laundrette conveniently located next door.

Murchison Museum

We checked out the isite and the ice creams at the cafe – quite good !

Today was a lazy day just hanging around the camp followed by a walk up to look through the local shops.   The second hand shop had to be seen to be believed there was so much stock in there of every type.   A very good hardware/convenience/drapery store completed the walk around apart from a couple of amusing plaques on the wall of the store and local hotel.

  The Hotel took a good hit during the 1929 Murchison earthquake and ended up on a good 18 inches lean until with local ingenuity and no sign of CERA, the EQC or Government  the locals using block & tackle and chains winched it back into an upright position. 

Murchison Hotel (on the Level)            

Pauline has heard from Hutt Hospital that she has to go in for a pre op assessment for her hip operation on 9 may prior to the Op on 31 May so our trip is nearing it’s end fortunately only about a week earlier than intended.   Tomorrow we are heading right through to Motueka to catch up with friends who used to live in Wellington.   The others are stopping halfway to Motueka and we will catch up with them the following day