30 August 2017

Lake Clearwater


Lake Clearwater (Wikipedia) is a small South Island lake which can be found some 34km north west of State Highway 72 with the turn off near Mt Somers. Half the road is sealed although the unsealed section was of pretty decent quality the day I drove in even though from the water lying about there had been some serious rain in the not to distant past.


The sealed section during peak traffic.


There are actually a series of lakes along the road - I couldn't find the name of the one above which is about half way along the unsealed sealed section and on the northern side.


Evidence of the recent rain was vast amounts of water flowing along beside the road.


Expect to see a lot more sheep than people and come prepared as there are no shops, toilets or facilities of any kind at the Lake which is mainly popular with fishermen and die-hard windsurfer types due to its wind-swept reputation. These days there is quite a settlement at the lake with two "streets" of these modest holiday homes. These are pretty much "off the grid", solar power, gas appliances, log fires and definitely no cellular service - sounds ideal


South-eastern end of Lake Clearwater not far from the settlement.

Typical of those braided South Island rivers



(Showing a little silt after recent flooding in Canterbury) 

27 August 2017

Oaia Island - Gannet Colony



...and in the far distance 


Swing bridge over the Hurunui River (Blythe Road)





Not so many of these left in service and not so many places you stand on a bridge that's quietly vibrating with no traffic....

(Google Street view)

What to do with all those surplus citrus fruit we have in Auckland




Chop it and soak over-night 


Boil it with sugar 


Bottle it - lovely orange marmalade 

The Three sisters at Tongaporutu




River mouth at Tongaporutu






Black sand on the west coast of the North Island

Black iron sand - yes it literally sticks to a magnet 



Awakino 


At Murawai 

21 August 2017

Gore Bay



Gore Bay on the coast a few km east of Cheviot in North Canterbury. 
As my friend Geoff describes "typical South Island - no people" !



As a stony beach it is exceptionally noisy even when waves are small (above) 


A little south of the bay are these formations known as the Cathedral. 



04 August 2017

South Piha Beach






South Piha beach and home to the famous Piha Rescue TV series. 


Above and below - I think this is locally known as "The Gap" (Google map ) and these photos were 
taken at full low tide.




I understand people try and surf or boat through here at full tide......