Sunday, 9 April 2017

The Birthplace of Phar Lap!

Leaving Oamaru we headed for the Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru for our next stop. 

IMG_1511This statue of Phar Lap is at the raceway, his skeleton is at Te Papa Museum in Wellington.

Phar Lap was New Zealand’s most famous champion Thoroughbred racehorse.  His achievements over four years from 1928 until his sudden death in 1932 captured the public’s interest.   Born just out of Timaru, he was sold at the Trentham Yearly sales and trained and raced by Harry Telford in Australia.  At the time of his death  he was the third highest stake winner in the world.

IMG_1477Sacred Heart Basilica, Oamaru , New Zealand

IMG_1482Looks like winters on its way.

IMG_1490Caroline Bay beach, one of New Zealand's top 10 beaches.

IMG_1491Now I wonder what this seagull meeting is about?

IMG_1495A lone shag awaiting his next feed on the breakwater at Timaru.

IMG_1501

After a couple of hours wandering around the bay we had lunch before heading to the botanical gardens before returning to camp.  The grounds were very wet when we arrived and we were advised not to park on the grass, so we found a good spot on the seal for the first night..  Returning later in the afternoon we discovered four more vans and our site was gone so we found a reasonably dry spot on the grass and we had no problem getting off in the morning.

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