CATCHING UP!

Well, I ain't had access to the internet for a while, so my blog's a bit behind hand... No photos in this post I'm afraid, as I'm in an internet shop!

The drive from Takaka to Westport and Cape Foulwind was very pleasant, esp thru the Motueka Valley. Sat and watched some very impressive waves from the safety of a cafe deck. Incidently, the Kiwis REALLY do a good hot chocolate - far better than anything I've had in the UK! Went and had a look at the local seal colony (brown slimy rocks with shiny brown lumps lying about on them) and then played the harp on the beach by my motel room as the sun went down...

The West Coast is very dramatic and spectacular, scenery-wise: the huge, steep mountains are all clad in green chenille and come right down to the road. I'm afraid I have found it terribly claustrophobic and have just wanted to get out of the area as fast as I can. This has meant, effectively, four days hard driving which is far from ideal.

There were some lovely 'bits' on the journey down: the wonderful, clear lake behind Hokitika and the backroads drive to get to it, a delightful little hamlet by the sea whose name escapes me right now (Oamaru or something) anyway - very quiet and peaceful. A truly fabulous setting sun at Haast Beach, a walk in the woods beyond Haast Pass - the almost total silence in these places is awesome; the beautiful Lake Mararoa, etc etc. Photos will appear in due course, when I can access via my own laptop.