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 52 - 58, 9 – 15 December 2009

Motueka River – McLeans Picnic Area  – 1 night

Wakefield – Edward Baigent Reserve – 1 nights

Nelson Mitre 10 – 1 nights

Springrove – Drill Hall– 1 night

Nelson City Motor Camp – 3 night

As I had to be back in Nelson to fly to Wellington on business we continued our one nighters working our way back to Nelson.

MOTUEKA RIVER – McLEANS PICNIC AREA

From the POP at Riwaka just north of Motueka we decided to follow the Motueka River in a roundabout route back to Nelson. 

First night stop was at the McLeans Picnic Area.  This is a free site right by the river where a one night stay is permitted. 

The river was quite low and it was easy to walk a few hundred metres either way.  I did catch a small trout which I let go.

I have subsequently learnt more about trout fishing from Hamill’s Sports in Nelson that should increase my catch rate.

WAKEFIELD – SPRINGROVE - NELSON

The rest of the period up to day no.56 really didn’t present to many pic opportunities, partly due to locations and again unfortunately bad weather.   The following are some of the pics taken more or less randomly.

For those of you into Geocaching we found this one at Wakefield.  Not our The Italian Job was here…. Sign that we leave.

So what is this tree.  Pic taken at the Founders Park, Nelson.

 We were there for the market.

As were others.

The Founders Park is a replica town.

With all business and industries.  Inside each building was a comprehensive display.

Free coffee and cakes outside the Free Trade Shop in Hardy Street, Nelson.

Time for a nap when the sun came out.

Richmond, south of Nelson, has a very modern shopping area.

 This old building was spotted on a back road just out of Spring Grove.

For those interesting in traveling this park for the night was on a ‘coin donation’.  Nice and quiet.

 We left a salad of carrot tops for the family of rabbits that lived under the Spring Grove Dill Hall.

No this is not a new door for The Italian Job.

Finally getting back to Nelson we parked up at the Nelson City Holiday Park for the for days 56 & 58 as I had to fly to Wellington for a business meeting.