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Published: February 10th 2012
New Zealand – Wk 5
Monday 6
th Feb
A bright and sunny start to the day. Every intention today to go Salmon fishing so we are up and organised early and set off. On the way i detour along to Tata Beach to view the multiple landslides that have occurred along the route. These slips happened the week we arrived in NZ and were the result of torrential rain in the NW area of the Island that lasted for over a week. It’s no surprise really that these took place as the ground is made up of 90%!s(MISSING)and.
Apparently the road will not be repaired due to the many millions of Dollars it would cost so it is likely future access will have to be on foot or by boat. A real blow to the residents and holiday cottage industry.
After Tata we unfortunately missed the turning to the Salmon fishing at Anatoki so instead of back tracking which i never like to do, we carried on to Collingwood a little further north. Here we had lunch and walked up to a historic grave yard set on the
side of a hill. Not everyones cup of tea i know but this grave yard is the resting place of the early settlers from the UK and early Gold prospectors so it was interesting to read the inscriptions on the stones.
As we were now only 25kl from Farewell Spit, the most Northerly point of the South Island we decided to carry on, arriving at the roads end in the early afternoon. Plenty of time for a quick walk.
We set off walking along the edge of Golden Bay looking in the distance at the vast sand bar stretching out and around Golden Bay. After an hour we came to a point where we could climb up onto the dunes and walk across to the west coast and the Tasman Sea. Neither of us was prepared for the sheer expanse of sand that stretched out before us, mile after mile of nothing but pure golden sand, absolutely stunning, a desert with sea on two sides, all that was needed was a few Cammels and a Palm Tree or two. After taking a few photo’s it was here that my camera decided to pack up
due to some fine grains of sand jamming the lens. After spending time on the dunes we turned around and retraced our steps for a kilometre or so then found another path through the bush that took us to the west coast beach, again miles of sand as far as the eye could see topped with a clear blue sky.
We walked the beach for another hour eventually reaching some towering cliffs of granite which blocked our path. After checking to see if any Seals where around the cliff rock pools it was time to head back across to Golden Bay, this time crossing green farm land which eventually lead us back to the car park. Our short walk covered approx 15kl and took us 4 hours. For me maybe the best walk to date. Feeling somewhat exhausted we drove back to Takaka for fish and chips, Hoki for me and Shark for Sue then made our way back to camp for a deserved beer and a seat on the beach to watch the sun go down over the mountains behind. The end of a great day.
Thursday 7
th Feb 4.347.2 kl 20 c
Awoke again to a beautiful sunny morning. This time i checked the road atlas and found the right turn off for the fishing trip. On arriving at the lake we were given a rod, plastic container and landing net and a verbal what and what not to do then it was down to the lake to fish.
We were fishing in a lovely setting and a well stocked lake, but the Salmon were wise and didn’t bite. A trip back to the office for some extra ground bait proved successful as ten minutes later we hooked a goodun and dispatched it into the box. When we arrived we were given with the box a metal spike on a wooden handle and told to drive this into the head of the fish just behind the eyes to kill it cleanly. I held the fish and Sue stabbed the fish. Better watch my back from now on ! As it was plenty big enough for the two of us we called it a day and weighed it in and arranged to have it smoked while we waited. It cost us $41.00 but was well worth it
and good fun.
After this we drove back over the mountains between the Abel Tasman N P and the Arthur Range and found a camp site at Marahau called Old Mc Donalds Farm Camp. Maraau is the start of the A T N P coastal walk that runs along the coast up to Takaka. That afternoon we walked out across the LW sands of Sandy Bay, probably our longest walk ever to reach the sea about i kl. On reaching the wet stuff it was in for a swim and a cool off before venturing a little further to Tinline Bay to soak up the late afternoon sun.
I think i forgot to mention the background noise here along this coast. In the trees live small green flying beetle’s that all day and all night create a deafening buzzing sound. So much so your hearing is seriously affected.
Back at camp that evening we tucked into fresh Smoked Salmon and Salad before diving into the tent and safety from the dreaded Sand Fly. Oh how they bite. Actually i’m ok but Sue is suffering.
Wednesday 8
th Feb 4.434.0
kl
Today i will keep the blog short. The weather was beautiful this morning so we set off for a 15kl tramp along the A T C Track heading to a secluded beach at Stillwell Bay, a small cove with golden sands set just inside Adele Island in Tasman Bay. We had an absolutely stunning day with stunning views out across the bays coupled with some great swimming, although fairly cold. We also took the opportunity to top the tan up.
We made it back in the late afternoon both completely knackered and Sue sporting the beginnings of a blister to go with her Sand Fly bites. The cure for this was of course a trip to the local bar and enjoy a medicinal pint or two.
A couple more beers back at camp and a catch up with this blog and it was time to turn in and rest those weary legs.
Thursday 9
th Feb 4.435.1
A quiet night, no tree beetles buzzing away. Have they flown away perhaps! Sue is really suffering from Sand Fly bites to the ankles and complaining bitterly. She
should try having Manflu.
Packed up and left site in record time, 09.00 and headed for Nelson to take a longer look round. A walk up the main shopping street was finished off with a really nice coffee and a Raspberry and White Chocolate muffin. You can’t beat holiday cakes. Rejuvenated we climbed the steps to look at the towns Cathedral and admire the view across town, and then called into the supermarket to buy provisions for the remainder of the week.
Fully stocked up we left Nelson and headed south, our destination Okiwi Bay set in an inlet amongst the Sounds on the NE end of the Island.
The road to Okiwi Bay took us along another winding climb and decent over M.Richmond National Park before dropping into the village of approx 50 houses most of which are holiday homes.
We found the only camp site and hung the tent out to dry before setting it up due to the earlier morning dew. Our camp spot was a patch of grass surrounded by tree’s containing our little singing bugs, no piece here then. It really is affecting
our hearing now and ear defenders should be worn at all times.
We had a look around and agreed it didn’t match the surroundings of Golden Bay so spent an hour or so catching up on the reading before cooking supper and chatting to some locals.
Friday 10
th Feb
Today is our son Alex’s birthday so happy 21
st B/day Alex, hope you have a good one in the Falklands. We will toast you and the ship with a Speights Lager.
A fine drizzle falling this morning as promised by the pessimistic locals last night. Not staying for a second night so pack everything away wet, and drove out of town. Another mountain to climb up and over with Sue’s favourite twisting roads and the odd 50 ton Logging or Mussel truck to watch out for. The Mussel trucks carry the famous green shelled mussel to market, famous in this region. Finally made it onto the straight highway and travelled down to Blenheim where we decided to take the scenic coastal road up to Picton. We joined the road at Tuamarina and headed along the coast and up into
the hills above Rarangi where looking behind us we were rewarded with splendid views of Cloudy Bay and the vineyards in land. Another kilometre and we left the tarmac behind and where now driving on the unsealed road, e.g. without tarmac just shingle. The route took us through dense bush land with occasional views out over the Bay towards Port Underwood Sound and Robertson’s point. Every now and then we would drop down into a small cove such as Robin Hoods Bay and Oyster Bay. In these would be two or three houses and some road side relics from the Whaling days. We stopped at one of these for some lunch a watched a group of youngsters on an outward bound course canoeing and riding the top of the surf. Looked great fun.
The unmade road route was in fact 22kl long and at our steady 15 / 20 kph the trip was not quick. We eventually emerged back onto tarmac and caught our first glimpse of Queen Charlotte Sound, the route of the Cook Straight Ferry. We stopped at Karaka Point to admire the view and watch the many angling boats and yachts far below and
in the many bays opposite. To our right lay the Kahikatea Scenic reserve and the delightfully named Curious Cove.
We pushed on into Picton and found a camp site at the far end of town. We decided on a little luxury and booked a cabin for two nights as the forecast was for more drizzle.
The remainder of the day was spent catching up on the PC and reading before enjoying a Stir Fry and a beer to round the day off.
Saturday 11
th February.
A real slow lazy start to the weekend. Up late, reading, blogging and booking accommodation in Wellington for Sunday evening. Not often we are this lazy but needs must.
As i am writing this in real time our plan today is to first top the car up with fuel, down to our last 100kl in the tank, then walk back into town for a look around then visit the water side to look at the Maritime bits and pieces. Apparently the 1843 Tea Clipper ‘Edwin Fox’ lays in Picton and is open for a look round and i’m sure there
must be a marina nearby to check out. Always good to look at the competition however many miles away!
Ok, i shall publish this now i think and complete the gaps next week.
Cheers,
J
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anne elise
non-member comment
your adventures
Dear both You seem to be enjoying yourselves thoroughly and the summer too. Here it is winter but beautiful weather. It will be spring when you return and missed winter. It is snowing in Rome... Who is actually looking after your house all this time? We are looking forward to seeing you again back here. It won't be long now before you return to our part of the wordl. Keep well and (each other) happy whatever flies by! Love Anne Elise