A few days of relaxing and discovery

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We were away for a few days visiting old family areas and stayed just accross the road from my great grandfathers old hut where he moved to and lived for 24 years after his wife died in 1939. I remember visiting him there with family in the late 50's and early 60's.
We are members of the MZMCA (New Zealand Motor caravan association) and as such have access to the unserviced sites they have throughout the country for nominal or no cost in some cases. We were the only ones in this one at the Hayes engineering historical workshop site, so it was a nice quiet few days where we spent time in various areas that my great great grandfather was and tought in the first schools in the surrounding gold mining towns. He was born 1839 in Scotland and married here in NZ in 1875 with my great grandfather being the first born in 1878 (first of 7) and who lived in the area all his life.

Our campsite

In the background is the old Hayes engineering workshops and homestead that we had a good look round.

Right accross the road was my Great Gandfathers old hut where we camped with him when he was still there. It is sadly neglected by the present owners but the historical society is looking to restore it.

We had a good look round the old Hayes workshops and homestead buildings

The workshop areas with the steel racks

Forge area with view of overhead belt drive system which drove all tools in the workshop that was originally driven by a large windmill which the workshop specialised in making but in later years by a 3 hp motor.

A small jobbing forge

The company motto

 

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Spent some time in the historical areas and building many of which are still in use today. the 1850's to the 1870's were a booming time for the gold mining towns with many of the expected hotels and service buildings.
Had a very nice meal here in the Wedderburn hotel

The Danseys pass on the road over the hills between otago and Canterbury

It gets mighty cold here and even on the day we were there the 6 ft wide fireplace was keeping the place warm.

Old wool press's serve as the bas for the drinking leaners.

Looking to the Pass over to the Canterbury side of the ranges.

 

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Sign at the site of the old Kyeburn diggings which was one of the schools where my GG grandfater tought.

We spent a very pleasant daya in St Bathans where my GG grandfather first tought school in 1875

The end result of the high pressure sluicing done

Some of the signs showing the town history

 

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Another of the old hotels in the area. This one no longer in use.

Once out of the Ida Vally in Maniototo the Central Otago side of the range showed its views to us.

The wild Thyme was in bloom with the purple haze over the hillsides and the wonderfull smells in the air attesting to.

One of the many old stone or sod cottages that were the homes of the more permanentold miners before they too passed on to other diggings or simply passed on.

The small historical town of Ophir has a living and ongoing life but has also the reputation of the coldest winter temperatures recorded in the country
The road to the original bridge leading out of town was hacked through the rock and is still the main road in and out from that end of town.

From there is was down the Central Otage valleys and into my home range where we parked the caravan untill the next exploring our back yard adventure
From there is was down the Central Otage valleys and into my home range where we parked the caravan untill the next exploring our back yard adventure

 

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A couple of extra's I forgot to include in the correct order.
This is a small stone hut in the yard of the Ranfurly information office that is in the old railway building . Inside there was an room set up with old railway carriage seats with a screen on the end wall with a visitor operated video player that gave the history of the railways in the region and with fottage and explanations of the Hyde rail disaster https://nzhistory.govt.nz/cromwell-dunedin-express-train-tragedy

As noted above the wild Thyme was in full bloom but so were many of the blossom trees with this one in particular offering a stunning show of blooms and colour.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I love history like this. The photos here could just have well been taken in California during their 1849 gold rush starting when gold was discovered in Sutter's Creek. I've been there years ago and the mining photos are very similar. The high pressure water canons were banned in California I believe in 1851 due to the destruction of the hillsides. Thanks for sharing Garry!

 

[Newboomer]

I love history like this. The photos here could just have well been taken in California during their 1849 gold rush starting when gold was discovered in Sutter's Creek. I've been there years ago and the mining photos are very similar. The high pressure water canons were banned in California I believe in 1851 due to the destruction of the hillsides. Thanks for sharing Garry!

Fantastic photos, Garry. You should write a history of the region.

 

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Fantastic photos, Garry. You should write a history of the region.

Many have been written by more erudite writers than I may ever aspire to, but I do enjoy the learning process and in particular when family was involved having that special connection to the place and the people.