30th December – Road Trip

On the 30th we headed over on the car ferry to go for a run and see what we could see.

Te Waimate

First up we headed to Te Waimate Mission house.  This is where Nan works.  It is also the second oldest house still standing in New Zealand.

(Picture: Te Waimate Mission House)

The Rt. Rev. George Selwyn bought the redundant Te Waimate Mission House in 1842 to establish St John’s Theological College.  This only lasted for a couple of years though because his wife being a female of the species moaned about it too much.  She called it ‘comfortless and untidy’ and poor Selwyn moved the College to Auckland, where it still is today.

(Picture: Looks comfortable enough to me)

(Picture: iBook, Google Maps, Graphics Tablet and External Storage)

Next-door was the Kirk and graveyard, always good for a wander around.

(Picture: Da Kirk next door)

Missionary George Clarke helped design & build Te Waimate house.  Here he lies, next door.

(Picture: Missionary George Clarke in his final resting place)

Rainbow Falls

After that we headed towards Rainbow Falls for a wander.  You get a good few from the top of the Falls.

(Picture: Rainbow Falls)

(Picture: Bart framed)

(Picture: Yet more water falling)

The real beauty is when you take a walk down to the bottom of the falls though.  It is at times like these that you wish you had brought the tripod and some ND filters.  The rest of them wandered off to the car and got annoyed with me taking so long.  Can you blame me?

After that we headed back to Russell for yet another barbecue.  Yum

Coming next – New Year!