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Published: March 21st 2009
A couple of photos of Taiaroa Gorge Railway.
Friday 20th March - Camped just down below Trotters Gorge last night and did our usual U turn this morning to take some photos of the Gorge plus photos of wonderful deep red toadstools! We headed for Oamaru via the scenic coastal route and stopped for a flat white coffee just outside Kakanui - lovely menu but too early for lunch. As we left we spotted a tremendous natural rock arch plus a colony of Shags. Before reaching Kakanui we turned off the road to see the Moeraki Boulders - there are about 50 of them and they are huge - the largest being 4 metres in circumference and weighing an estimated 7 tonnes! They are thought to have formed some 60 million years ago when lime salts adhered to fossil shells, bones etc - hope you’re impressed with this info!
Arrived at Oamaru and were surprised to find this beautifully restored Victorian town, wonderful buildings and lots of antique shops. Came across the workshop of a limestone sculptor, Ian Anderson, liked his work so made a spur of the moment decision to buy a piece of sculpture entitled “Starstruck” for
the garden. It will be boxed up and sent to us at the beginning of May. Then it was off to find the yellow eyed penguins. Went down on the beach but could only stay until 3.00pm when you had to vacate it so that the penguins could come ashore. In the 45 mins we were on the beach we saw lots of seals dozing and sunbathing and collected an assortment of shells including Paua shells. Went up towards the hide on top of the cliffs to wait for the penguins to come in from the sea and couldn’t believe our eyes when we found them walking to the very top of the cliff (100ft +) where they nest in the vegetation. They passed within a couple of feet of us. Yet another wonderful privilege to see such lovely creatures in their natural environment. Watched them for ages before returning to the harbour. Decided to give Blue Penguins a miss and set off for a remote DOC (Dept. of Conservation) site at Otaio Gorge reached by yet another gravel road at the foot of the Hunters Hills. Only one other tent - a local couploe with their Rottwieller dog. There
was also a stray Pointer dog running round (lovely dog) - local guy said it probably belonged to farm up the road and chased it off by throwing a brick at it! Tony & I were going to put it in the van and drive it to a local farm!! After dinner sorted out the presents and papers to send home - can’t believe this is our last weekend in NZ and will miss it so much. Tomorrow we head for Christchurch and Akaroa.
Saturday 21st March - Away by 9.00 and onwards along the gravel road to Mt Nimrod and beyond. We love these gravel roads - you can be in the remotest parts and then see a ‘School Bus Route’ sign! Amazingly no punctures (touch wood). Long straight roads across the Canterbury Plain to Christchurch so Lyn drove and trusted the navigation to Tony - dead simple! Got to Christchurch about 2.00pm and remembered our way to Jane & Andrew’s house to bid them farewell and left them a bottle of wine and our fishing rod which we had used over the last 8 weeks and caught a tree branch and a boulder but that was all!
On to Akaroa for our last 2 nights. Called in at the Little Rivers Art Gallery on the way and saw some lovely etchings and one gorgeous pastel but decided to just settle for the lime stone sculpture! Camping at Akaroa tonight and tomorrow will stop at the very quiet Manaia Native Habitat site which we checked out on our way through - thanks Jane for the tip off.
As we say a very sad farewell to NZ this will probably be out last blog from this fabulous country. We keep running out of superlatives to describe the scenery, the wildlife and the country in general - we know we will miss it tremendously so will need to save the pension to re-visit! Anyway new adventures beckon so watch this space for news from Oz!!!
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Gill & Rod
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How Much we have enjoyed NZ
Thanks Both It has been great have a safe trip It hardly semms possible that you have been there for eight weeks ! have a safe trip we are looking forward to the OZ instalment!!!!!!!!!!! LOL XX