A Walk Along The Beach

For the two mornings while we were in Kaikoura I would get up for a walk along the beach before breakfast.

There was something special about getting out there in the morning and with so many new things to see there was no hesitation to do so. I was out for an hour and Harry was almost going to send out a search party as I had been gone for so long - but it was more the stopping to take photos rather than the distance I had walked!

I walked beside the road side on the way out to warm up as walking on the beach is a little harder on the legs.

Notices were all along the beach line to discourage motor homes and campers from stopping over night on the grassy banks.

There was this big old chair so I sat for a moment and took a snap of the view from it.

Then there was an Asian tourist fascinated by the fact that he could hand feed the scavenger seagulls on cold chips.

There were lots of plants and flowers on long the way.

 The New Zealand Christmas tree (Pohutukawa)

If anyone knows what this little pink flowered plant is I would love to know. It was growing like a weed.








Each day I would walk back along the beach. It was more pebbles than sand and the tide was coming in at that time of the morning.

On the first morning I could see a flock of seagulls quite busy in a spot below some beached seaweed.

As I watched it was fascinating to see them feeding off what ever it was that was exposed once the wave went out to the extent that, when the next wave came in they were often knocked off guard.

The incoming waves didn't even scare them off and at times some were quite showered with the breaking wave

I couldn't see what they were eating but I imagine it was little sea bugs or something in the sand.

As the waves came in my footprints were being washing away so no-one would know I had been there. It meant that for each new change of the tide one could feel like you were the first person to walk along the shore.

And On To Kaikoura

Once at Picton, on Thursday afternoon, we picked Steven and Theresa up for the journey to Kaikoura and the wedding tomorrow.

Driving south  we were viewing country side we hadn't seen in many years.
At first it was just taking in the new lie of the land of the South Island but then the horror of the drought was all too noticeable.
Hard to believe the green of Picton was just a few kilometers north.

The only green is a vineyard

Little pockets of green became less and less

How farmers survive I will never know

Finally we reached the shore of the northeast coast of the South Island. Not long until we would be at Kaikoura.

We dropped Steven and Theresa off at their motel and went to find our little cottage I had booked for accommodation.
Driftwood Cottage was owned by an elderly man who rented it to couples for a great price and although it seemed like we had stepped back into the 70's, it had everything we needed and straight across the road from the beach.

Once unpacked and settled I wanted to take a photo of the view from the gate. But people were strolling past all the time to take in the last of the evening sun.



But then there was a couple and one of them run in front of me jumping up and down to be funny. And as I looked I saw it was my father and sister out for a walk!!

They came in to look at where we were staying and then went on their way, and I was able to get a photo of the view of the bay looking north.

Kaikoura beach with the Seaward Kaikoura Range

And then Katrina's moment had arrived in the form of Callum, a special man who she had met 7 months ago to the day. They had longed for this day and it bought a tear to the eye to see how special it was.

It was getting late so we all climbed into the Isuzu and went off to look for some fish and chips for tea.

Crossing the Cook Strait

On the Thursday morning the alarm went off at 5.30am!

Wellington docks from Tinakori Hill

We were up and ready (a little longer for Katrina) and traveled down to the ferry terminal as the sun tried to poke through the clouds.
I was glad of the sea sickness tablets as the sea looked like it was going to be a rough cross from the North to the South Island.

Lining up with the other vehicles I suddenly thought I would need my jacket as you are not allowed to go back to the vehicle once the ship is moving and it felt cold, but alas it was nowhere to be seen, I had left it at my brothers. Fortunately Harry had two so I used one of his.

By 7.00am we were all boarded and the ship was on its way. Even in the harbour it was rough with a swell but the sun tried desperately to shine through.

Heading out of Wellington Harbour

Once we had left the safety of the harbour and into Cook Strait I decided enough was enough for me and it was time to head in for a coffee and get some reading done.

Not before I took a quick (that's why it is blurry) photo of the InterIsland ferry that was following us all the way. Theresa and Steven were on it and were coming with us on the drive to Kaikoura. And the reason for this pic, you can see a plane in the top left corner as well!!

After about two hours we were entering the Marlborough Sounds, the sun had come out and the sea was beginning to calm down.
I ventureed on deck and found Harry sheltered from the wind and near one of the generator vents so it was warm.

Entering the Marlborough sounds

Harry in the warmth of the sun

And sure enough there was the InterIslander following close behind but not able to pass due to the restrictions of traffic flow in the sounds.

 The sounds are quite beautiful and many people boat, fish and find little bays to rest in.

And then you come around a bend and see Picton ahead so the journey is nearly finished.

Suddenly there is a hive of industry on the deck as the deckhands start preparing for docking.

As we approach the docks the loud speaker system starts up and we are given instructions as to the pattern for departing the ship.

Note the green of the hills in the background

Before long we are heading down below and getting into the waiting vehicles.

Waiting in the Isuzu

But to be quite honest I was a little concerning as to who was going to be moving first - us or the trucks and in which direction!

These trucks are just meters away from us

But it is all a three-times-a-day process for the shipping company and before long we are all off and on our way.

On the Way to Wellington

Kaikoura

We have just been to a nieces wedding in Kaikoura. What a wonderful time, but to get there was no mean feat.

We live in the Waikato in the central north of the North Island of New Zealand; Kaikoura is on the upper Eastern side of the South Island. There is the Cook Strait in between.

On Wednesday, a little later in the day than we had hoped, we set off on our way south for the (477 km, 6 hours 7 mins via State Highway 1) drive to Wellington where we had booked to travel on the Blue Bridge ferry early the next morning.

Fortunately the traffic for a middle day of the  week of the holidays, was not too busy, so we made good time.

Mt Ruapehu

One would usually take a pic of the mountains on the Tongariro Plateau

but I also took some of the plateau as we raced through on the desert road.

Then we were on the bit of road I find almost boring as it doesn't have many towns and you drive for ages seeing the same sort of thing. Except it you are lucky you can glimpse the  Rangitikei River.

After a good few hours our travel led to more familiar roads (We used to live in Wellington) and were reminded of the care needed on the roads.

 

Overtaking lanes on both sides of the road here are closed due to a recent fatal road accident.
This created a bottle neck jam and at times, quite a way back, we were driving at a snails pace.




On to the Kapiti Coast and more views that are from my childhood even.

Kapiti Island off the coast from Paekakariki

Then over the hill and down to the harbour of Wellington.
A cruise ship was going out but not for us. We are due out tomorrow morning early on a smaller ferry.

I wasn't too sure about it as the sea was looking rough and this is in the calm of the harbour!

We met with Theresa and Steven at their apartment for a lovely roast lamb tea and then up to my brother's (who were letting us use their place) for the night, setting the alarm for 5.30am.

What a welcomed place of rest 

Please note that most of these pictures were taken in our vehicle, as Harry doesn't like stopping often on the drive, so the foregrounds are a bit blurry!