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01.02.11 Upper Moutere to Marble Hill Scenic Reserve Camp Site (Lewis Pass)
Another beautiful morning. We took our time to pack up the car, sat chatting to Jana and Colin, and left just after lunch. It was a peaceful 4 hour journey with a afternoon tea stop at Murchison, a very small and interesting little village. The information centre there was one of the best we've seen. We've booked to go and see the whales in Kaikoura on the 9.30am boat on Thursday when the weather and wind are forecast to be good!!!
En route we stopped to look at the waterfalls before turning down the N65 towards Springs Junction. The camp site is at the start of the Lake Daniells Track walk, but once again there are only 2 other campers here, a farmer 75 year old ex farmer and his wife, boat, fishing rods, a 4x4 and camper van. (they've sold their farm now) and a cyclist cycling round New Zealand over a 2 year period, again, a retiree.
The site is on the alpine fault line which is apparently a sudden movement fault line. Hmmm, hope it doesn't move tonight! We'll go on tomorrow after we've walked up to the lake for lunch.
02.02.11 Kaikoura via hammer Springs, Rotherham, Waiau and Mt Lyford Village
The fault line didn't move but we woke up to mountain drizzel…hence we scrapped the idea of walking to the lake and dismantled our tent before driving on Hammer Springs for a brunch stop. Hammer Springs is a very small adventure resort with bungee jumping, rafting etc in summer and skiing in winter. It also has hot springs. The place was absolutely deserted with lots of 'for sale' signs …the recession apparently. It was blowing severe storm force (130mph winds) with branches of trees falling down and swirling about the place. We tried to walk up the high street, but I was literally unable to walk as I was being blown over. Signs from shops were even blowing of their wooden canopy fixings.
We left for Kaikoura via the small N70 road. It was still blowing 130mph and we passed 2 cyclists trying to battle the elements. There is absolutely no habitation along this 72km of road except Mount Lyford Lodge. We pulled in for refreshment and were the only customers…we were able to sit in a lovely lounge overlooking the mountains. We said to the host that in about an hour he would have 2 more customers…the cyclists. Well, sure enough they arrived, completely windswept and wondering how on earth they would make the other 50km to Kaikoura in that wind. They were Irish …..it hadn't even occurred to them that they could stay at the lodge and phone to say they wouldn't be at their accommodation in Kaikoura!!! A German couple came in and we giggled as the Irish couple said that they had hired the bikes and weren't sure whether to go back to Christchurch and hand them in. The German couple suggested that they could always put their bikes on the train to get to Greymouth which was apparently on their route! Mow I know why there are so many Irish jokes.
We carried on past acres of cattle, sheep, llama, and deer grazing land, but only passed 3 farm houses. Once we were over the last mountain we met clear skies and the wind dropped. We found a very good campsite called Alpine Pacific Park. It even has hairdryers in the shower block and a small swimming pool and spa pools as well as wi fi….first we've found in the whole of NZ that actually works to a decent speed. It is very busy by our standards…there are 6 camper vans and 5 tent units in tonight as well as 2 studio ensuite motel cabins are being used…there is acres of space and a big newly equipped kitchen dining area with 6 kitchen areas including microwaves, toasters and ceramic hobbs. The fridge freezers are those larder type.
Enough of that domestic twaddle…we are going to have strawberries for supper as jana sent us away with an ice cream box full!
Tomorrow we go Whalewatching on the 9.30am boat so I have fingers and toes crossed for some sitings.
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