Waiau River

On Thursday, David and Catherine took us on a trip to the mouth of the Waiau River to see where David and James' go fishing and white baiting.    White bait are tiny white fish that you catch in a net, and put into a   batter mixture, containing mostly eggs.   A local delicacy and very delicious.

They have a section of land there, which has a shack and a shed on it, at present, but there are plans to include a septic tank, bathroom and a patio to sit on, when there is sunshine.  

The mouth of the Waiau is a wild and rugged area, windy, and not conducive to swimming at all.   You would not last long if you tried to step into the water there.

My apologies, the photos are out of order, due to me talking as I was uploading them!

The shack has a tiny bathroom.   James, who is very inventive, installed a metal tank, with an open cupboard underneath, in which stands a small gas ring.   He then attached a shower nozzle to the tank.  When a shower is required, he lights the gas ring, and hey presto, lovely warm water for a shower.    Apparently you have to watch the contraption when you rise up from the porta loo situated below it.  I am very impressed! 

 The shack is very cosy, when its old stove is well stoked up.

 Walter, Catherine and David standing in front of the shack.   They are going to turn it around to face north, so that it catches the sunshine (when it appears) and gives the occupants a view of the mountains.  

 A view of the part of the river mouth, with the sea on the other side of the stony bank.  

 Their garden?  Allotment?   No, it is a cabbage, the seed must have blown in on the wind, and it is surviving against all odds.  

 A view of David and James' section, looking towards the shack and shed.    The sea is behind the shed.  Plenty of room for development on this plot of land.

 One of their neighbours has a swing seat made out of bits and pieces.    I do not think I will bother to linger here.

The shack next door.

 A caravan, with attachment, and rusty car.   It was all used during the last white baiting season.  Keeps the elements out, yes, but comfort, no.

 After lunch at Tuatapere, we followed the Waiau River to Lake Manapouri.  The Waiau was once a fast flowing river full of rapids, but it is now a gently flowing river.    This is due to the weirs that have been built on two sections of the river to stop Lake Manapouri from losing too much water.    Lake Manapouri feeds the huge turbines in the hydro electric scheme on the west side of Lake Manapouri.    A huge quantity of water pours through the tunnels out to the sea.

 The quayside at Lake Manapouri, where the Waiau River begins its journey south to the sea.

A great day out.