We left Picton at 8am to drive south and west over to the coast. The first area we drive through is the Marlborough region, famous for its vineyards. New Zealand wines are best known for their Sauvignon blanc. No tasting for us though - only 9am and a long drive yet.
Our first stop was in St Arnaud for coffee at the Alpine lodge and our treat was watching a couple of tui birds feeding on the nectar in the flowers on the flax bushes. It was raining when we left there for Nelson Lakes National Park where we watched some of our group feed a swarming mass of long fin eel some chunks of bacon that Steve, our driver, had brought along just to show us how they can smell it in the water and come swimming from under the jetty where they hang out.
We did a short walk in the park on a woodland trail, getting our first taste of what it is like to hike with nasty sand flies that hangout on the west coast of New Zealand. We are now all using insect spray and long pants. We looked in vain for the bellbird which is often seen on this walk.
Next stop was a lovely walk along the coast at Cape Foulwind. It is a beautiful section of the west coast, a bit reminiscent of the coast of Cornwall but with taller shrubs, ferns etc. The walk was about 45 minutes from where we started until we got to a seal colony. This is a place fur seals come to rest and give birth. We saw lots of big mamas and their little ones nursing and exploring the rocks below. Apparently they are born in the water, then their mums push them onto the rocks until they are ready to learn how to swim. It's her job to teach them how to swim. Fun to watch.
We carry on down the coast to Pancake Rocks at Paparoa National Park. Another excellent walk down to the ocean. Amazing rock formations and blow holes.
So it looks like we are quite away from home, but we were very close to our next hotel, Punakaiki Lodge. It was a lovely place, certainly our best for views. Great night's sleep listening to the waves crash on the beach in front of our cabin.
No comments:
Post a Comment