A very long line snaked down the main street of Bluff as we left the café where we had just had coffee. It was only 10 a.m. but 6,000 visitors were expected at the Oyster Festival and this collection of very happy tourists were just a small percentage of those.

There was a family of three generations in front of us in the line. There was grandma and grand dad, who had always had the Oyster Festival on their bucket list. Daughter and partner who had hired the large van so everyone enjoyed all the travel together. Lastly there were late teenage children with accompanying girlfriend/boyfriend. It was really lovely to see how they enjoyed each others company and also looked after the “oldies

As we stood in line, chatting to all and sundry, packed bus after packed bus arrived from out of town. All the passengers adding to the long line already formed, stretching down the street. We finally started to move . All very orderly. The weather was crisp and cool but fine so moods were high. Lots of laughter and chatter.

As we walked through the gates, a large corrugated iron shed greeted us with stall after stall around its walls, offering many types of seafood. Because of the numbers the venue was really crowded so it really was just buy your food quickly and move away which was slightly disappointing.

Vendors were looking slightly harassed as they struggled to keep up with orders being shouted out by the excited and impatient customers. Lines were not very orderly as voices made themselves heard. No time to browse the other stands as the food was selling so quickly, it may have been completely sold out if you waited.

One of the most enjoyable parts of events like this are the friendly snippets of conversations as you pass different groups – Weather – Oysters- where do you come from. Strangers/Friends who you will never see again.

We had, had a taste of oysters and Blue Cod, the night before when we had discovered Foveaux Hotel, an older hotel, beautifully preserved and with a roaring fire!!! On the main street of Bluff. The owner said the community had been very concerned as due to the weather, the boats had not been able to go out for ten days. However Mother Nature smiled and on Thursday the boats had returned with very successful catches. At the neighbouring table were two guys from Brisbane, who were staying at the hotel. They were over just for the Festival. A really interesting conversation with them covering politics, weather and the economic situation

We decided to share a platter which was a combination of most things offered at the festival. Oysters both raw and battered, blue cod, crayfish, paua, shrimps and the ever present chips.

It certainly was a memorable event but I think it is one of those occasions when you would only visit once. Our next stop was the tip of Bluff where we had coffee in the same venue as Tim Shadbolt, the iconic mayor of Invercargill. He has held the role since 1998,andhas done a lot to put the city on the map, including “getting his kit off” to support a friend to who wants to see a national cancer plan set up. (Southland Times 6th June 2019)

Over the next few days we spent time with friends in Wanaka, visiting the Clyde Dam and spending time in Roxborough which I had cycled through when completing the Otago Rail trail, as we passed through. Coffee was calling so we sadly said goodbye, promising to catch up again as soon as we possibly could, and popped into the wonderful touristy town of Wanaka, set on the banks of Lake Wanaka. Checking the real estate made our eyes water, so with many a dream we travelled over the Coronet Range to Queenstown, with again many stops along the way calling into a most delicious distillery – Cardrona Distillery. Definitely worth a visit if you are passing.

As usual Queenstown welcomed me with open arms. Some people are finding it too touristy but I have so many wonderful memories of the numerous times I have stayed there either arriving to hike or just having completed a track. I will never tire of its beauty and vibrancy. A beautiful dinner out. Then back for breakfast and a sad goodbye to the city I love. Car dropped off with many 100s of kilometres added.

A most enjoyable time away.