Daily Photo – Hasborough Place, Balclutha

Arthur Strange Reserve sits on the northern side of the Clutha River, just before you cross the Balclutha Bridge and enter the town itself. I wanted to like Balclutha, I really did. It’s the gateway to the south after all, with the mighty Clutha River – the largest by volume in New Zealand – flowing right through its heart. But on the day I arrived, the town wasn’t showing me its best side. A grey blanket of cloud hung low, pressing down over the streets. The river ran high and heavy beneath the bridge, its wide surface reflecting the same dark and moody tone that lingered in the sky above.