Daily Photo – Riverton

In the time that it took me to drive to Riverton, the entire Romanov dynasty in Russia collapsed and Bolshevism took over. When you think about it, that’s a lot to happen in 20 minutes. In actual fact, it took more than 20 minutes. It took about 300 years, but it’s amazing how history can be condensed into a podcast, and how consuming it can get while you’re driving.

So, while I listened to the tale of how the last Tsar of Russia (Nicholas II) and the rest of his family were being shot in a cold basement somewhere in Russia during 1917, I was rolling into the small Southland town of Riverton. A town that proudly claims itself to be the “Riviera of the South.” A splendid place it is too.

Like most New Zealand towns it has a single long main street, with all the major shops branching off it. It also used to have an oversized paua shell that greeted visitors on their way into town, but upon my arrival I discovered it had been moved – to the far end of town overlooking the river. Rather fetching it was in its new home. Mind you, if I’d paid $30,000 for an imitation marine mollusc to be repainted, it better be dazzling as all hell! 

The last time I was in Riverton I filled the afternoon by wandering around the paths that flanked the river and realised two things. Firstly that Riverton is a charming town and the second that it had occurred to me while walking across the town bridge, that I didn’t have any particular reason to be there. So, on this occasion, as I crossed the town bridge, I took a moment to park my car and look back across the estuary to the town. It really was a nice little place!