Glad to see I was missed a bit.  I had to call for HELP at one stage and thanks to Derek and Poddy for their quick responses, not that they helped much   but we all have our own demons  

Sparky is not the most understanding of males and as I am usually looking for red and purple treasures he has this subconscious habbit of putting his foot down every time we approach a country town that just might have a Sallys, St Vinnies, Op Shop or similar that I need to search.   He was not much more understanding now that I have changed horses and was in search of cast iron treasures, in particular I was after two ginger gem iron trays.

At Omaru the lady that managed the Red Kettle Cottage said she previously worked in Antiques and there were not many ginger gem cast iron trays around anymore.  Most were keeping them as family heirlooms.  

Always up for a challenge I continued my search with no avail.  We even went into a small town museum and there before my very eyes was one, not for sale of course, one of the lady volunteers who worked at the museum had one at home, also not for sale.  She felt I would have trouble getting one.  She most graciously let me move their specimum and take a photo of their cast iron collection
I kept seeing likely places... well as many as there are in south NZ.....mostly always told.... "we used to get them but havent seen them in a long time".



I reached Invecargill and thought I would try the "Antique Shop" just up the road from the YHA.  He opens the shop to gentlemans hours and asked the man ahead of me what he was looking for to help save time....so when my time came with baited breath I asked the question...."Do you have a ginger gem tray"...... "I have a few I think", he replied.   I was jumping out of my skin with joy but sadly came back to earth when he said, "gosh the other day I had three here ... and three there but they seem to have been sold".  With tears close to my eyes I looked at his other cast iron stuff but it wasnt really what I was wanting so I resisted the temptation to buy a scone griddle.  He had the only camp oven I saw outside the museum but in terrible flakey condition and far too big and heavy for hand luggage

We arrived at Queenstown without any luck and talking to a lovely lady from Auckland she asked me had I tried "www.trademe.co.nz? I looked at her blank and she went over to the computers and brought it up......there was about 5 for sale at that time but unfortunately only for sale to NZ buyers and pick ups from towns I had visited.  Keep trying she advised you must get one somewhere.  She said she had a camp oven from her old camping days that had legs and a name inscribed but would keep it.

Anywhere and everywhere I popped in and asked, I got the point of feeling like sitting in a small town with a sign saying "WANTED GEM TRAY!!!!!!!!" Those Kiwis are just so friendly. Most knew someone who had their grannies or aunties etc but all said no one would part with one.

Ross and further still no luck.  Advised of a man's shop at the next town and visited him, he said he had them occasionally and had owned a coffee shop in the old days and cooked the ginger gems to sell.

We arrived at Greymouth and I saw another "Antique Store"  I made Sparky go back and saw a heap of cake tins and kitchen bits so I kept looking and as I worked my way out of the store went through them again.  There one was hiding camoflauged by its rust, how could I have missed it!! it was waiting there for me.   Of course I told the lady she was asking too much and would I ever be able to get all the rust off it   she dropped the price a little, threw in two wine glass Sparkey had picked up and said kindly, "Keep looking for another one they come in more than one size you know, but people are selling them on Trademe now and you have saved the postage."  I had checked postage and was told it would cost around $38NZ to post one to Australia.  YUK  

........ Instead of feeling happy that I had one, I felt spurred on to get another as I knew Voiletmay wanted one, and then maybe I might be able to find the one with eight larger compartments.....so the hunt continued.

I went to a farmstall and this old bloke came out, looked like a batchelor   so I asked him did he have one!!!!   well you cant blame a girl for trying, this guy didnt look like he would cook gems , he just looked at me rather oddly and said "Nope".  Poor Sparkey drove away as quick as he could.

I didnt see much at all after that and back in Christchurch visited at least three likely shops but they all said they just didnt get them anymore.

One lady told me that they were popular with MEN for melting lead in for sinkers!!!!!!!!!!!!

For me the saga has ended    , when I bounce back from getting a 4 a.m. NZ time pickup for the airport, I will start to clean off the rust and have a go at the ginger gems.

Oh and Derek I kept a look out for enamelled dishes and found one just the right size for a cobbler for two....but they were also something in short supply.  The lady at "Sallys" was amazed at what use I would find for it  

.... I will be off to SA in a week or so....wonder what I might find there???????????  


P.S. I know a few of you in here enjoy outdoor sports and so you dont think I have it all my way on holidays.   Our last day we drove north of Christchurch and just happened upon these boys fishing.  No doubt they should have been at work, but the salmon were running ....I am sure you understand  .   To bring it all back into line with this forum one of them said he would be smoking his and I know some of you do that also.  A lady I think who was his mother said they also put it in jars with vinegar, oil and herbs, sealed it and cooked it for hours and then it kept for a long time.

In case your wondering I didnt ask them if they had a gem cast iron tray!!!