I wanted to show anyone interested what some small New Zealand towns are like. As a bonus, you can see our day at the beach when it rained.
We took the Kiwi Flyer to Rabbit Island near Kaiteriteri hoping for a day of water sports. Richard wanted to fish from his kayak, Mary Anne and I wanted a turn paddling, and we all were ready for a swim. The weather had other ideas.
We left the next morning bound for Reefton, which is in something of a rain shadow. This gave us hope for warmer, sunnier days. We stopped in Murchison for lunch.
Reefton, the first town in the southern hemisphere to get electricity.
A visit to the Tourist Office led to a trip through this “gold mine”.
The Thermette is a device used for heating water (as in, for tea). One builds a fire at the bottom and the hole in the middle acts as a flue. Water in the container is quickly heated. These were very popular with New Zealand troops during the Second World War.
Wondering . . . is it Reefton or Reeftown? This is the confusing sort of thing that happens when you get electricity!
Very charming either way. And great pictures!
Especially liked the name Quartzopolis. Thinking of many places I can re-name.
On my body, if nowhere else. (“I’ve got to go shopping for some new water-proof Toe-opolis covers.”) . . . has a ring to it.
Or a duck pond: “Fowlopolis” (where The Ducks are Good!)
The Thermette–An Improved Quick-Boiling Picnic Kettle–works on the same principle
as a Russian samovar! But how clever to have it easily portable!
Best used where there is air circulation, I imagine, or wear a canary on your shoulder (or “Tweetopolis” . . . ) Love, MEB
Happy travels.
Reefton (pop 970) gets its name from the (gold containing) Quartz reef discovered near the town.
Richard’s father was born there in 1912.
They had electric street lighting before London or New York!
The system was initially only switched on at night but then all day Tuesday was added to the schedule – Monday was washing day and the housewives needed to do the ironing! True fact.