Wharariki Beach

Someone at work recommended Wharariki Beach as one of her favourites. I was able to spy out the lie of the land yesterday, as we headed for Farewell Spit.

I had decided I was going to be lazy and take the 20 minute shorter option for the walk to the beach, but the joke was on me, as I misread the arrow. I should have started on the track that headed uphill. I am very much in holiday mode now, so wasn't wearing a watch, but I began to wonder how unfit I really was if I had walked seemingly for far more than thirty minutes, but no beach was in sight.

However, the longer route was very interesting, passing both farm land and bush.

And then the track went past a small lake.

Finally a sign appeared that let me know I was indeed on the longer track..

It was an interesting skedaddle down to the beach, and I was glad I'd been warned to go near low tide, or else the route across to the rest of the beach would be tricky or not passable.

Such a fascinating array of rock shapes and types. The lower level had conglomerate rock. The tilting told a tale of uplift and earth movement, and of course, erosion by the sea.

It was a very beautiful beach to walk along.

My friend had told me I'd be likely to see seals, but it didn't at first seem likely. However, at the far northern end of the beach there was about to be some drama. An overseas tourist had just told me the seals looked cute. I told her she needed to be wary as they could be quite vicious. She didn't look convinced. Suddenly all hell broke loose, as a nearby large male went for a female. She wasn't having a bar of it, and quickly took off up the rock, where some pups were resting. The male followed.. Not sure what the outcome was...

It was a great walk to a stunning beach, but do check the tides. The hardest bit on the shorter route home was climbing up the sand dunes to reach the track!

 

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Farewell Spit

Today I took an eco-tour to Farewell Spit which was wonderful. It was expensive, but is the only way to travel right out along the Spit to the lighthouse. Today dawned not nearly so fine, with some heavy showers on my tent. But we were lucky that the weather improved, and the clouds and wind made things quite atmospheric.

After a short drive on the inner beach, we 'crossed' to the outer more exposed part of the spit. Down under the cliffs we spied several fur seals 'resting'. (No, I didn't go close: this was taken with the zoom lens.)

Near the end of the spit, we saw the lighthouse with its unique structure.

And we enjoyed our lunch break in one of the old lighthouse keepers houses.

It was just windy enough for us to understand a little about the forces that built the dunes. I was amazed to learn that the spit has been built in quite a brief geological period, and the sand comes from fine material eroded from Mt Cook and other mountains.

We had a brief distant view of the gannet colony, unusual because it is quite 'low'.

Some people went up and down one of the sand dunes, but I decided to wait that one out!

And on our return, we saw the viewpoint above Cape Farewell, the northernmost point of the South Island.

It was a great day. Thanks Farewell Spit Eco Tours.

 

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Collingwood

A friend lived her early years in Collingwood so yesterday afternoon when it had cooled down a little, I went wandering to take some photos for her.

This is the view from my campsite right near the waterfront. I was sitting in the deckchair hiding in the shade when I took this.

Pohutukawa tree flowering in the campground.

I am always a bit of a woodpile freak, and spied this one not far from the camping ground.

I learned today that there have been several serious fires in Collingwood that destroyed many of the old buildings, but several remain.

Then it was time for a small Beach wander.

And a chance to paddle my feet before bedtime!

 

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Picton to Collingwood

It was forecast to be in the mid-30s near where I was camping last night, so I was on the road early to escape some of the heat!

I drove south as far as Spring Creek, then headed to Renwick, to take the road down the Wairau River Valley. It was a beautiful drive, initially past lots of vineyards, and always with mountains as the background. It was very dry though, away from the irrigated vineyards.

I know there has been some controversy over irrigation, and it was indeed hard to understand where so much water could come from. I passed a historic memorial to a water trough by the roadside, put here by subscription and public funding along a route without water.

Even more vineyards are going in. It must be a more profitable use of the dry land.

There was a small scenic reserve that let you get closer to the Wairau River. I had no idea how far this valley extended back, along the edge of a mountain range. At this reserve I read a plaque pointing out the river was flowing along the edge of the Alpine Fault. That was a scary thing to know!

I had brunch, a delicious omelet and hot chocolate, at this cafe, as I turned off down Motueka Valley Road.

There were several old suspension bridges over the Motueka River. Of course I had to drive over one!

The drive over Takaha Hill was even more tricky than I remembered. And the car thermometer said 32c at one point. But I have arrived safely at Collingwood and after putting my tent up in the baking 30c sunshine, I have been relaxing in the sunshine under a tree watching the view out in the estuary as the tide has come in.

Finally, after 5pm, it might have cooled down enough for me to take a quick walk ...

 

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Ferry trip

It was very calm in the inner harbour, and not too much swell even in Cook Strait, but the wind was fierce. I love being outside on the decks, but you certainly needed a wind jacket out there today!

I got a 'reverse' look from last weekend at these pointy conical rocks in Wellington.

I always love seeing the raised shelves of the landforms on the eastern side of the harbour, though I prefer not to think about the scale of the earth movements that brought them about!

This lighthouse, (Pencarrow?) looks more like a memorial until you use the zoom lens. Then you realise people cycle there: might be a Good place to check out one day!

With all the wind blowing up moisture, there were lovely rainbows near the bow.

This is a view near the southern end of the North Island.

Remarkably quickly we reached the South Island, entering the Marlborough Sounds.

People crowded the decks to see the beauty of it all.

Tonight my little tent is having its first outing of the summer at Picton Top 10 camping ground, a lovely peaceful place. Lots of birds singing their evening chorus in the bushes near me as I write (and my first lot of sand flies circling for blood too!

I had a quick walk down by the Picton waterfront, and tomorrow I am off to Collingwood via St Arnaud.

Pleasant dreams y'all from Picton!

 

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Departure for the South Island

It was "interesting" packing all my camping gear in my small Yaris, though in the end not much was left behind. The trip to Wellington went smoothly, and I was lined up to board the ferry in ample time. More than ample as it turned out, as the ferry has been delayed by 45 minutes or so. But it has just appeared in view in the harbour, so hopefully it won't be too late departing.

The sea looks fairly calm here in the inner harbour, but there is quite a stiff breeze, so as always it will be interesting to see what it is like when we hit Cook Strait.

It's been interesting people-watching in the interim. There was a floating red bucket and people were trying to aim stones into it. Then a French family appeared, and the lady has walked the Chemin de Compostelle as far as Ronceveaux.

Here is the ferry Aratere arriving- and this is what I will be leaving on.

 

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