Hump Day

We took a wee drive to a wee town called Tuatapere (too-uh-TAP-pur-ee) to check out the Summer Fun Day that was going on to celebrate the participants of this years Stump the Hump (in where athletes take a 3 day, 62k tramp and squeeze it in in under 24 hours). We had an unseasonable cold snap in the days before, and there was actually a wee bit of snow on the mountains.

Just when you think Fall must be coming soon, something jumps out and says, "Nah, not quite yet." It seems that almost every day, something new is in bloom. 

As with every road here, the journey is as much a part of the destination as the place you stop.

And at some point, the road DID stop here. (and oh! can I tell you how much I wanted to take this sign?!? except for it being like 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide)

Nestled under the Takitimus, Tuatapere was once a thriving city as a layover station for the lumber coming out of the Fiordlands, on it's way to Invercargill. Now it's the kick off point for those hearty souls to tramp the Hump Ridge Track.

The railway station sits quietly, a testament to another time. Covered in dust, yet seemingly ready to open on a moment's notice.

I have a thing for old buildings. Clearly, since we live in one at home and I photograph every other.

Seriously, the clutter on my computer is getting a bit ridiculous from all the photos of structures. I can't help it. Buildings can tell as many tales as some people I know.

This guy. This guy is a ham. 

He was sporting these. Antler velvet is quite prized. I suspect there is a reason he and the doe are in this enclosure alone. Wink wink. 

He wouldn't let her come anywhere near us. At first I thought he was protecting her, but then I realized he was just using us to reach the yummy field daisies for him, and didn't want to share with his friend. 

Cad.

Art is a big part of life here. You will find some sort of public art in every town you visit, no matter how small or rural. This mural was done by a friend of ours, and adorns the public facilities.

E's version of a speed shear.

Again with the buildings. A library. The absolute tiniest towns have a library (and a pool, and a squash court...but I'll save that for another day). New Zealand isn't the only country in the world to have a literacy rate of 99%, but the people here might read more than in those other countries. They're incredibly well travelled too, by the way. Most everyone has been somewhere outside of NZ.

This is actually a little art gallery. One of about 6 in a town of just over 600. 

And this is one of 2 museums. 

There is a distinct pride in the lives the settlers were able to eke it out here in the Southland, and it is evident everywhere you go. 

This one has had it with us dragging her all over town. She's going over.

In the end, she thought better of it, so we went to a friend's for dinner. I sat on the deck with a glass of wine and this view.

Jeremy, with fear in his eyes, took her out to the paddock and taught her how to drive Rosie (a right wheel, manual transmission). 

And I had another glass of wine.