On smaller trips, I don’t usually blog, but Jetpack keeps sending me reminders.

AND it seems Air New Zealand had a mechanical issue before our Sunday night flight, so we are still here.

For a bonus day.

Here being Invercargill.

We travelled down Friday afternoon to spend the weekend with Southland besties Doug and Annabel.

Annabel of course had a full itinerary planned.

I love travelling and being with these guys cause firstly I never have to plan a thing.

Annabel does it all for me, and us.

And for that I am grateful.

Secondly they are just good company. Much like many of our friends, we can just ‘be’ with them. Which is rather nice.

Although I am sure, not so nice for them when I randomly break into song 🤪

Friday afternoon we walked out of the Invercargill airport and hopped into their car, but not before I could mention, once or twice, how frickin cold it was.

To be fair, Invercargill has had some fantastic weather, last summer being outstanding. Of course it’s only spring, and at the end of winter, so this weekend we haven’t been privy to that.

We headed off to the new Invercargill Central Mall.

Designed to create a new and vibrant shopping central for Invercargill it takes up nearly a full block and has your usual blend of retail stores along with some very nice eateries. The architects have managed to retain some of the historic facades but still blend the old with the new. What I liked particularly was the use of the darker wood and the second hand bricks.

After a wander around, (photos below of a couple of cool places in town) we headed off to check out InverVegas’ only rooftop bar – 360.

On the seventh floor of the 4.5 star Langlands Hotel, the concierge ‘allowed’ us into the elevator but only, and I mean only, if we removed our puffer jackets. Apparently bogans with puffers are not allowed.

With the promise of a fine view and a well earned drink, we were good with that, sort of.

The decor of the bar is quite cute, a bit of a 20’s feel, rich velvety textures, booth or tall seating.

Given the booths were all gone, we managed to get a table of 4 tall chairs with a westerly view.

The literature states, ‘Prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking panoramic view that unfolds before your eyes, offering a truly spectacular experience’.

Readers, I think you can judge that for yourselves.

Of course I jest. Maybe. The other three windows had nice views of Invers and surrounds.

After a drink, we headed off for a wander around town before our meal booking at Banh Mi.

Vietnamese street food, and very nice.

Next morning it was a walk around the Winton Loop Trail, about 6.5km according to my strava, which meant a sleep in the afternoon before heading to Jacob’s River Bakehouse in Riverton for dinner.

Jacob’s River Bakehouse is situated in the old post office at Riverton. They serve (with a lot of friendliness) organic fresh, locally sourced and bloody delicious food. All their bread and hummus is made on site and they grow many of their vegetables. Possibly the best meal I have had for some time. And I should know. I do like to eat – three courses.

There were no left overs within those three courses.

Next day we headed off for a tiki tour to Orepuki, taking in a few places none of us had been before like Cosy Nook Cove. We also checked out Monkey Island, Gemstone Beach, Mullet Bay, and Colac Bay. I may not have got that in the right order……It was interesting to see the way the trees are growing sideways and how green everything is. The countryside is actually spectacular, green rolling hills and snow capped mountains in the distance.

Lastly it was a drive back through Riverton to enjoy a decadent afternoon tea at our now favourite Bakehouse, Jacob’s River Bakehouse.

The weather wasn’t the best but we were lucky it didn’t really rain most of the times we wanted to get out and explore a little further.

A great day to be sure.

With that, it was time to head off to the airport for our non flying flight out.

And now we sit in the Southern Institute of Technology – Te Pukenga, at the School of Music, like two old pensioneers.

Feeding off their free internet and free power to charge our devices, with MoD conducting his business meetings at the (free and quite comfortable) table in the foyer.

What an amazing space – my Intel tells me one of Dougies projects.

What an amazing facility for budding musicians.

And let’s just hope our plane flys out tonight.