South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Day 129 – 132 23 - 26 Feb 2010

 MARFELLS BEACH

These few days were spent at the DOC park of Marfells Beach which is in Clifford Bay south of Blenheim.  The following are some pics of the location.  This blog is best viewed in conjunction with Raewyn's email episodes.

Close to running out of bread so some serious action was required.

 The result wasn’t half bad.

 Our park up was fine even though for a couple of days there was a strong nor-easterly blowing.

That bought ashore literally tons of seaweed.

That flattened the waves much to the enjoyment of the seagulls.

Interesting plant life, almost triffid like, marching down the barren cliffs.

And intriguing wind blown plants, you decide what it looks like.

Beach walks included one to the wharf from and to nowhere.

 Whilst being observed by a ….local?

The succulents grow in the barren countryside of the Lake Grassmere, the salt lake.

Salt works at Lake Grassmere.

Geocaching, our newfound pastime that gets us visiting interesting places that we might miss otherwise.  Visit www.geocaching.com

South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Day 104 – 128, 04 - 22 Feb 2010

We decided to spend this two weeks revisiting the top of the West Coast followed by some time in Nelson as we had booked in for some maintenance and then off down to Blenheim before south again on 23 Feb.  Here are some pics of this time. 

This blog is best viewed in conjunction with Raewyn's email episodes.

Not far out of Westport heading to Kohaihai is the township of Mokihinui on the coast.

This coast through Karamea and on to Kohaihai is known for its Nikau Palms.

Many of which share with wind swept Kanuka and other trees..

Not far from Mokihinui, just off the road to Seddonville, there is a short walk along an old railway track

Complete with a tunnel and a bridge.

Overlooking a beautiful river all the way.

Continuing further up the coast, at the end of the road, is Kohaihai (southern end of the Heaphy Track)

With three days we had plenty of time to explore.

The beginnings of the Heaphy Track.

The lower forest areas that were full of Nikau Palms.

 Up to the lookout that views Scotts Bay that's part of the Heaphy Track.

 With great sunsets every evening to enjoy.

Half way between Karamea and Kohaihai, 16km down a rough and dusty road are the Oparara Arches.  Unfortunately I'm not satisfied with my pics hence there are none.

One of the walk passes he Mirror Tarn.

Past some fascinating trees.

With a friendly Weka putting on a display.

 And in the caves and dark areas of the arches. 

The dark dwelling cave spiders.

 At Granity we stopped to have a look at a mining museum and had to cross some tracks. I find railway tracks, especially long straights, fascinate me.

 As do old derelict houses.

 Lone fisherman.

 And old churches like this one in Wakefield that’s 160 years old.

South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Day 98 – 108 23 Jan – 03 Feb 2010

This is the last blog of the six weeks that we have been touring with friends, Mike and Lynne, who have made a quick wiz around the South Island.  It has been snaps of places that we have passed through.  There are many that we will revisit and some yet still to visit and of course spend more time. This blog is best viewed in conjunction with Raewyn's email episodes.

Countryside Lake Wanaka.

The night we stayed at Lake Benmore we had to drive along the dam.

 Which gave us a great view over the power station.

 The area below the dam where we stayed really looks like something out of Australia.

 The next two nights were to be spent with Aoraki (Mt Cook) as our wallpaper.

It’s presence stunning. Next time around we will drive up to it.

Next stop Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd. 

With its iconic panoramic view over the altar.

 Stopping for lunch at Fairlie we encountered one enterprising local.

The road to Hanmer Springs provided some great views.

Including the bridge we had just crossed.

Ending up at Kaikoura we found plenty to maintain our interest like this stone whale.

The huge limpets were tasty adding to the crayfish and paua we had.

 What a life!

 An interesting view looking north from Kaikoura.

I always find railway tracks fascinating.

Hello, the crumbs clean up has arrived.

 The last free nights stay of this period was at Ward Beach.