Curling in the Middle of Summer-Naseby and Ranfurly

 After stocking up on the most expensive chocolate bars in Oturehua...$3:50 each at Gilchrists store..



We set out into the rain for Ranfurly. With weather cold and wet we didn't fancy road riding into and out of Naseby, so we arranged a shuttle to pick us up and return us to Ranfurly. The Red Barn at Wedderburn supplied us with hot drinks and an informative video. I asked the owner how the family swimming pool was working out... they had just built it last time I was here and I just can't imagine weather in which it could be used... she said the kids were at home cleaning it now, ready to fill.  Today is the 20th December, and waaaay too cold for swimming. 
There is a Solar system installation with the Sun in Ranfurly and planets at various distances along the trail. Here you can see reflected in a stainless steel Earth that even on 20th December I am wearing thermal gloves, raincoat and waterproof overtrou.



Halfway between the equator and the South pole... feeling a lot closer to the pole!
The weather wasn't too bad by the time we got to Ranfurly, but we took a cabin anyway. Next was our side trip to Naseby to try Curling.

Naseby... where even the postboxes need hand knitted winter woolies.


It didn't take us long to walk right round Ranfurly, shop at the 4 Square and discover the amazing Maniatoto Bakery and their loaded scones... Oh how I wish I had a photo... and had bought a few more for the next day!


Pretty Ranfurly in the late evening sun... still chilly though.


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