Peel Forest

Peel Forest

After  camping  at Oamaru we headed towards Christchurch but decided to bypass it and headed inland to Peel  Forest. This is another DOC camp in a beautiful area. The bird life, particularly the Bellbirds was marvellous and the most melodious we have heard. We did several bush walks there and really enjoyed it but after a couple of days we woke to rain and decided to move on.

We drove on out to the coast via the scenic route to Parnassus and camped there. Met some lovely people and had a nice time but the call of home is getting stronger so after one night we moved onto Kaikoura and had a night there but again woke to rain.

Headed to Picton where we are camped out and looking to getting a ferry over the strait. It is raining again. Ray is watching the forecast for the calmest time to go prob ably tomorrow before a new blow and more rain comes.

The blog will end on this note as we hope to be home soon and possibly before some of you get to read this.

Lake Paringa to Cromwell

This blog is being written in retrospect as we can not update it every day as we find in places the computer gets such poor reception it is better to wait until we are in a better range, hence we miss a day or so.

We set off from the Lake Peringa and headed south to Haast, where we had morning tea and then travelled on through the Haast Pass after a good look around.

At this stage we both decided we were both getting a little homesick wanting to see the family, check out the house etc. Our plan for this trip had been to cover the West Coast and we had done that. We did not want to retrace our steps so we moved on across to Wanaka where we had visited 18 months ago in the car.

Lake Hawea
We were blessed with wonderful weather for our trip through Haast Pass and down the shores of Lakes Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan
We set up camp just to the east of Cromwell on the shore of Lake Dunstan and tried for a trout again but with no luck (some tuition is obviously needed as well as patience!

We had a lovely meal at the Cromwell Club as a bit of a treat and a break from our own 'gourmet delights'

Lake Paringa

We camped at another DOC site at Lake Paringa about 45km north of Haast. Another lovely spot but we had to break the rig (take Jim off) to turn around. We also had to break out the the repel as the sandflies were big and hungry. We are really grateful the van was built in Oz as they cover every window and the door with screens. Ray went kayaking and fishing but got no bites but the pleasure was in the boating. We would have stayed longer if it had not been for the Keas. Those mad birds came in screeching at dusk and proceeded to screech and fight on and off all night. The lady in the caravan next to us got up about 3am and watched them. She said there was 1 on the prow of the kayak and the others were trying to push it off but as soon as they succeeded that one flew around to join the rest pushing off the next one, and so it went on until Ray was soooo fed up he got up at 5am and put a spot light on them. They must have thought there was a bullet coming because they took off and did not come back.

A fellow camper caught a lovely brown trout the following morning but was really there for the 'Roar" as were many other hunterrs

Lake Mahinapua to Franz Joseph

After a couple of days at the Lake we headed to Franz Joseph, The scenery was beautiful, the verdant bush, the wild beaches just breath taking.

We took two walks up to see the glacier from  high vantage points but passed on going to the ice face as we have done that in Canada.

We stayed at the Top 10 Camp in Franz and it was really lovely with great facillities

Greymouth to Lake Mahinapua

We took a walk and tiki tour of Greymouth, but it was full of lawyers as it was the opening day of the Pike River enquiry.

The road on to Hokitika gave us a combined road rail bridge in a different form and there can't be too many of these left.

We set up camp at Lake Mahinapua about 16 km south of  Hokitika, this was a camp operated by DOC and was peaceful in an idyllic bush setting. The entrance was along a narrow bush archway we just managed to sqeeze through opening out into a lovely grassed area surrounded by bush down to the lake shore

The weka's, which we have seen plenty of on the West Coast, were particularily cheeky. There was a family of Mum , Dad and 4 youngsters. They are so fearless and the Mum even got up the first 2 steps of the van to come inside before Shona spotted her and told her it was bad enough with leaves and dry grass coming in the van without weka poo being added to it. The weka was most offended, and went of grunting to her babies, as they do.

Punakaiki

After the rain in Westport the weather cleared up as we headed south, we took the coastal route via Punakaiki and were so glad we did the swell was running high (3-4 metres) and some of the surf was very impressive, Al would have been stoked.We arrived at the Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowholes right on high tide when they are at their best and they were putting on a great display

Westport

3/4/11
We stayed two nights at Westport the second day the drought broke and we had our first real rainy day, which allowed us to catch up on chores and take a breath. On the way from Karamea to Westport we visited the site of the old Denniston coal mine which is 1500 feet above the coastal plain it is a wind swept spot and must have been bitter in the winter. The site has been preserved and a mine railway for tourists is under construction.

The rail incline which took the coal down the hill was very impressive
We had dinner with David Barnes and his wife, the ex Harbourmaster at Westport who we just bumped into as we were driving into the camp site (another coincidence).

Westport to Karamea

The trip from Westport to Karamea took us along the coastal plain and miles of pristine beaches, past Ngakawau where coal is brought down the mountain on an aerial ropeway, then over the Karamea Bluff which was another twisty narrow road through beautiful bush before dropping down to the coast again at Little Wanganui and on to Karamea and the start of the Heaphy track at Kohaihai, which is in the Kahurangi National Park famed for its Nikau Palms

We stayed at the Karamea Domain, the grandstand is so typical of the commitment to Heartland rugby in NZ

Nelson to Westport Day 2

The road through the Buller Gorge proved to be quite exciting for our 12.5m rig but we came through in one piece with one way sections and severe overhangs as well as a selection of one way bridges, the scenery was fantastic and the driver was pretty relaxed so we decided to go on to Karamea

Nelson to Westport

We spent three days in Nelson at Tahuna Beach whist Ray went home.
We then headed towards the West Coast, stopping in the Upper Buller Gorge at the swing bridge which was a bit scary and then took the quick way back on a flying fox over the river which was scarier but a lot of fun

We then spent the night at Lyell the site of a gold mioning project where NZ's biggest nugget at 108 oz is said to have been found

McKee's Memorial Resrve Ruby Bay

Another beautiful spot set right alongside the beach in amongst lots of native trees, very relaxing and the morning chorus was great. Only 3km north of Mapua and the crafty shops and cafes on the old wharf. The beach is pebbled but there are a few narrow sandy areas which are easier on the feet when swimming.
Heading back to Nelson for a couple of days then the West Coast

Pohara to Kaiteriteri

We came back over the Takaka Hill in fine style and went to the Kaiteriteri Beach Camp, another large and popular camp,set amongst beautiful trees and across the road from the beach. We met some lovely people from Whangerei, and had some great happy hours.
We had our first real rain on Sunday at Kaiteri but used the time to clean up the van, lunch in Motueka and trip up to Marahau at the South end of the Abel Tasman Track. By the time we got back the rain had stopped, the sun was out and Ray went for a paddle around the Bay

Totaranui

Whilst at Pohara we took Jim for a trip to Totaranui, once again 20k of unsealed and windy narrow road, The Totaranui DOC camp is huge and a great spot right alongside the golden sand beach and in the Abel Tasman National Park. This camp is so popular that you have to book for a site by July for the Xmas holidays and then they are balloted.

The road to Totaranui

Golden Bay

After two nights at Pakawau we headed south again, t

through Takaka to another POP at the Pohara Boat Club in Port Tarakohe.

Golden Bay

We left Nelson on 20th heading for Farewell Spit in Golden Bay and camped at a Pop Over Property at Pakawau. These POP's as they are called are for the 'Camping / Motorhome Ass.' people only and are usually free or only a gold coin donation to stay at, and usually for 2 nights only.
It was the site of a closed down school and the owner has turned it into a cafe / restaurant. It was a lovely setting. It was here that we met a nurse from New Plymouth who works in the hospice.
The next day we drove to Farewell Spit and Cape Farewell in the Jimny. The roads were rough and Jim handled them well and we were pleased we left Winnie at Pakawau to rest.It was beautiful weather and we had a picnic on the cliffs watching the seals below us in crystal clear water chasing fish for their meal. We then climbed over the hills (DOC land) and picked about 1/2 kg of mushrooms, beautifully white with pink undersides. That is something we haven't done in years!!
We then drove to Whanganui Inlet and on the way we saw about 50 pairs of Paradise Shelducks in one field.Apparently these ducks pair for life. The females have the beautiful white heads.
This was the time of the king tides and in places the sea had come over the road leaving bits of driftwood behind.

After Cable Bay we went to the Tahuna Beach Camp at Nelson and left Winnie there whilst we went home for a couple of days, we then celebrated Ray's birthday by having a lovely dinner at 'The Boat Shed' in Nelson, right on the waterfront.

Cable Bay 20K North of Nelson

Cable Bay is the site of the first Trans Tasman telephone cable coming ashore, at that time the South Island had the larger population and wealth

Okiwi Bay off fishing

Helped Mel Ross with a set net 5 Gurnard, 1 Sole 4 Flounder, but no room in the fridge, great Day

Girls in charge whilst boys have a beer!!

Trip to D'Urville and Stephens Islands from French Pass

The smile says it all

Okiwi Bay Marlborough

We moved from Momorangi after six nights and headed through the Rai Valley turning off towards French Pass, Okiwi Bay is a little holiday settlement about 25k from the main road.

We took Jim on a day trip to french Pass 25k of unsealed rod after Elaine Bay twisty, rutted and very scenic with large vertical drops

 Cissy Bay Mussel Farm

The French Pass Road

French Pass

Third night Momorangi Bay on the Marlborough Sounds

We stayed at Momorangi for six nights settling in to the lifestyle and soaking up the atmosphere, biking and paddling the kayak. Momorangi Bay is 13km from Picton on Queen Charlotte Drive and the road was probaly the first challenging drive.

Chef de Cuisine!!

We were going to go and stay in Kenepuru Sound near the Portage but  our reconnoitre in "Jim" showed the road had had a washout that we didn't like to take WinnieB over.
WinnieB is proving a real drawcard and getting rave reviews