I Blame the Tomkinsons!

May 9, 2025
2 min read

Wednesday 30 April

They drew us north into Cyclone Tam for Esther’s wedding, and now they come south and we are hit by a weather bomb 💣

Woke to find Banjo was sitting in a bit of a lake but Harley needed a walk so Jez and I wrapped up and headed off round the Methven Walkway - opposite direction to the night before. Louis went off to find a pool in Ashburton - I’m unsure which of us got wetter 💦💦

Walking through the forest by the cemetery we spotted these weird alien pink squid fingerlike things protruding from the bark - then saw a red coral like version of the same, and then realised they had exploded from the large garlic clove like fungi - our friend Julie informed us online that they are a form of stinkhorn and smell like rotting flesh... we thought this was just the cemetery!)

As we came back through town I popped into Primo Secondo in search of a ginger slice - a very funky cafe/retro/vintage store where you took your coffee and slice & sat amongst the store goodies on mismatched chairs at retro tables. Such a great vibe! Will return without Harley one day… when the ginger crunch has come out of the oven!

Passing the big lot selling old trucks and farming vehicles Jez decided his next project was to convert the $60K truck with the "built in spa" (or skip) on the back!

Lunch in the big room with the wood burner drying all our wet stuff and heating us. Early afternoon pottering then it was time for our treat - 2 hours at Opuke Thermal Pools 🤩 Can honestly say they are our favourite hot pools in all of NZ - and even better with a BookMe discount! It was wild sitting in the 39*C water, drifting through the starlit caves, floating under bridges and around gentle bends in the stream as the rain poured down and steam rose into the 8*C air temperatures! Naturally we had to take advantage of the "swim up" bar with bubbles for 3 of us and a lovely hot chocolate for me. Best way to spend such a miserable afternoon!