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22.02.11 Journey to Pancake Rocks
Not a lotto report really, it was still pouring with rain, made a couple of coastal stops looking for penguins(little blue penguins) drove to Hokitika for our lunch stop. This is the small town where the jade carving industry and crafts people are. We visited a factory and watched the local craftsmen. There was a fresh fish and chip shop so we succumbed!! Then, I visited the washrooms in the Jade Centre just as news broke of the earthquake in Christchurch. Everything stopped, a tele with very poor live reception went on and all visitors and workers watched. It was pretty horrid viewing and of course some of the people at the factory were in tears as they either lived there or had family there. South Island only has 1million inhabitants and Christchurch is the largest town with nearly 100000 residents.
We drove on in a more sombre mood and tried to contact the friends we stayed with, however there was of course no reception.
On a positive note we arrived at Pancake Rocks in sunshine and in time for the 3pm high tide so we saw the most amazing fountains of sea as it was forced through the blow holes.
We drove a few kilometres up the coast and camped at Tiramoana. The site was right next to the beach sheltered by a thicket of hedges with a rocky cliff behind us. A well looked after sight with a restaurant and bar close by. We walked along the long stretch of beach viewing the stormy and powerful Tasman Sea rollers.
We heard from our Christchurch friends who were driving North to Nelson as their house was badly damaged and unsafe, though neither they nor their 2 boys were hurt.
Graham rang to say that Rachel's waters had broken and they were heading to the hospital..7pm our time, 6am their time. We did a sweep on time, weight, sex of baby before retiring with phone next to ear, though the signal is very poor here.
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