DAY 27 CASTLEPOINT (Pacific Ocean) to Waikanae (Tasman Sea)

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We departed Castlepoint at 8.20 knowing that we would be driving with extreme care. We met a local farmer when we had stopped to take a few photos of the storm damage and he enlightened us on the height and spread of the river. He lived up high while his neighbours lived low. Their home is uninhabitable. They live with the farmer at present as they did on the night of the storm. Log trucks still speed along the road. We made sure they stayed in front of us.

Coffee and fuel up in Masterton before heading to Greytown, NZ’s ‘Town of the Year’ in 2017. We saw why. We had commented on the preservation of the heritage of the buildings and that they were still in use today. A beautifully maintained and welcoming place. The first place of visitation was the “Schoc Chocolate” house where they make and package over 80 different varieties of chocolate. Naturally, we added to their coffers with a little purchase. We walked about a kilometre either side of the main street photographing the buildings. Jane went wherever, and I went wherever. Jane’s photos are and have been truly magnificent as she really captures the feel of the environment.

Greytown to Martinborough and wine country. We were surprised that the vineyards were all small, next to each other and within a kilometre or so from the town centre. ‘Surprisingly’, we didn’t visit any for wine tasting but settled on the Martinborough Hotel for our wine and the best ever seafood linguine. We came away very happy … and large …

Onto Featherston and the “C’est Cheese” – Artisan Cheese & Deli, where they not only stock cheese from all over NZ but make their own too. Again, it was ‘support’ the local economy. From here the white knuckles came into play.

Highway 2 to Upper Hutt goes up … and … over … and … down the mountain range between Featherston and Upper Hutt. It is windy with drop offs that go on forever (nothing I haven’t said before) with heavy traffic. Well, that highway was a breeze compared to the road from Upper Hutt to Waikanae. Road! One to one and half cars wide … yes … cliff laden with vegetation going up on one side and drop offs laden with vegetation going into the never never … not to mention the hundreds of 120 degree blind corners that twist up or down. Our speed for the 30 odd kilometres was never more than 20-25kph, many times less. We did have to backup once to a ‘wider’ position to let a vehicle through. Suffice to say that it is a very dangerous road to the uninitiated such as myself.

Camped in Waikanae we did a one and a half hour walk to and from the beach … which tested my left leg to the max.

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Photos

Castlepoint sunrise.

Jane on the beach at sunrise.

This calm little stream wrecked havoc when 800m across and 5m deep and flowing with rage.

Uninhabitable.

Tree down ... supporting cast also down.

Another down

Note the fence ... this was 5-6m above the normal stream flow.

A common event ... and ... get out of their way.

Landslide. Many of the trees and soil were strewn across the road and down the other side of the road.

Chocolate fill ... Greytown.

Example of main street buildings ...

Another ...

... and another

Heritage? Just the bookshop.

... another

... and it keeps going

Still the main street

... another

... a street without the butcher ... never.

I knew there was a place for me.

It goes on