The Forks

Ken had heard a lovely story (you can read it here: waimate.org.nz/ted-dauvergne) about a young farmer from the Waihao Downs who was called up to fight in the First World War and, like so many, never returned.  The essence of this story is that he left behind a bottle of beer at the local hotel (The Waihao Forks) to drink when he came home, and that bottle of beer remains unopened at the hotel to this day.  We had planned to visit the pub on our way from Dunedin to Christchurch, which we did, however we were there a few hours too early for the 3pm opening time.  There is a lovely memorial out the front which depicts Ted d’Auvergne waiting near the railway for his lift off to the War.