Top of the South
We acquaint Jabula with her home territory.
12.10.2018 - 13.10.2018
12-15.10.18
The organisational gymnastics that is required to coordinate several days off together, has finally come about and we can go with our camper for an extended long weekend.
When we first began this long protracted goal of getting a camper and being able to explore and meander at our heart’s desire, really get to know NZ extensively, this was our dream. We are well aware that we are indeed fortunate to live in this natural paradise, and to date we have not got to know our fair land well enough. So making a wish a goal, this is our plan. All that has gone before, is about taking the time to explore and discover what we have on our own ‘back door’.
The weather that preceded this weekend was awful. A last hoorah of winter chills and southerly rains makes us wonder about the wisdom of taking off and if we really will enjoy ourselves. However Maddie has excitedly gone to Grana and we have bought enough grocery supplies for 3 weeks (let alone 3 days!). So, on with our intrepid explorer hats and positive attitudes. As we left on Friday it was raining steadily, we put our faith in the Met Service forecast and headed for an overnight stay at Pelorus Bridge.
We have stayed numerous times at Pelorus, first in a tent, then our first adventure in the caravan was to this camp.The river was high and we were warned about staying ‘on the hard’ to avoid getting stuck. Needless to say there were very few other campers. We always choose the ‘no power’ side as more sun and those majestic kahikatea (White Pine). In the evening 2 French girls approached us about booking-in difficulties. I was somewhat reticent, but when Sal reminded me that I would want people to treat my children in a foreign country with kindness and generosity, then I softened and was more obliging.
We went for a walk to the waterfalls, as we always do. This was different in that after the rain all the creeks were gushing, and it was not that easy going through the mud. What was more beautiful was that all the forest was looking and smelling fresh. Once we acclimatised our eyes to notice the ‘small things’ we began to see tiny white orchids, new fronds on the ferns and amazing shapes in the bark, ferns, lichens etc.
Another first - we cooked our first roast in the camper, probably not up to standard, but nice on a cold night.
We awoke to blue skies and the river was already cleaner and quieter. The intention was to head towards Nelson and walk the Boulder Bank, neither of us having done that before. It is such a defining landmark for this harbour. Sal had discovered where we could park and unload the bikes for a ride. Thus we put on thick coats and hats and joined all the dog walkers. A big crane truck was lifting a burnt out car from the side of the road as we passed (such an eye sore in this exposed natural setting). We biked past the sewerage treatment ponds, smell not that delicate, and despite the cutting wind it was great to see Nelson from this vantage.
From there it was to locate a free parking area by the sea (for future reference) and then we hoped that by chance we could find a park and visit the Saturday Market. Luckily (or maybe not) we did, and came away with cheeses, a nice dukkah butter, I got a white bait sandwich (I think they swam through!), and biltong. Sal had noticed some nice reclining chairs at Torpedo during the week, so went back there and a 40% reduction meant they had to be purchased also! Needed to get on the road post haste.
We both thought heading for Lake Rotoiti for 2 nights would be a good idea. The weather seems pretty kind currently and there is so much to do there. Thought we’d go via Wakefield. Impulsively Sal decided to turn left up the Lees Valley, which then led onto Wairoa Gorge Road. Yes it was good to see country neither of us have seen before, however our camper now has scratches from branches over hanging and either side of the track (‘road’ is an exaggeration). One bonus was that we saw a large group of people learning to river kayak by what looked like a power station. Very picturesque.
On the road through the Golden Downs Forest, I thought it was overdue that I get behind the wheel of this vehicle. We now have 9500km on the clock, and not one of those has been driven by me. Poor Sal was grasping her seat as she felt so uncomfortable with me driving too close to the edge. No rear vision mirror, so I had to use the side mirror to judge where I was on the road. Obviously I did not stay behind the wheel for long.
Lake Rotoiti is dramatically beautiful with snow on the mountains, there is an icy wind unfortunately. The showers are closed for winter as they keep freezing up. We are on a powered site, and a few other hardy souls have joined us for the night.
Posted by Sallyj66 23:23 Archived in New Zealand Comments (0)