Monaco, Nelson

Monaco in Nelson, New Zealand.   Pronounced with a 'long a'.    Not quite the same as the principality on the Mediterranean.   But it does have a Rainier Street and a Grace Street.   No doubt token gestures to Monaco, the other one, that is. The only similarity with the other Monaco, is that there is a sea close by and there is an opportunity to do a bit of boating.    

However, this Monaco, in Nelson, is a quiet suburb, very low lying, slightly marshy, and one of the streets can only be negotiated via the sand at low tide.     

      I only found one boat!

 But there is a Monaco boat club.  

And a reserve, which definitely does not allow motor homes to park overnight.    No aires for motor homes 

in this suburb.

But the suburb does have a very upmarket restaurant, and holiday cottages.    The van, beautifully decorated, sits in readiness to take home customers who may have had a little too much to drink.   Courtesy cars, which belong to restaurants and pubs, appear to be a requirement in New Zealand.   Good idea.

This could easily be a street in England.  

I like this Monaco, pronounced with a 'long a', as it is so quiet and peaceful and certainly not populated with people trying to look rich and famous, and no steep hills either.  

Buller Gorge

A walk across the swing bridge at Buller Gorge.   This was very daring, for someone who does not like heights, and especially heights that swing as one walks.    So after parting with $5 I attempted to walk across, without Walter as he had to go back to the car to put on some sandfly repellent.    This was sandfly country, and they certainly liked new blood, especially Walter's blood.    

I had no problems, really, with the walk, but then I had no children with me either. The type of children that enjoy bouncing up and down, and causing me to yell out in fear of us all tumbling down into the river below.   Darren and Emma loved to scare me when walking the Greenstone track.

 Once over the other side I could have sped back on the flying fox (zip wire), but thought I was too old for this caper.

 Instead I took the fifteen minute walk option, which came with signs describing the 1929 earthquake.   This earthquake measured 7.8 on the Richter Scale.    The land was thrust up by 4.5 metres, as can be seen on the sides of the gorge in the photograph below.

 The narrow faultline, cut deep into the land.    I felt very uneasy walking along this path.

 The peaceful Buller River, very green and  very deep.    Apparently it is not wise to swim in this river, due to the strong current under the surface.    There is also a chance that a speedboat may come hurtling around the corner at full speed.    This river is a popular place for jet boats.

After walking at full speed, in case there was another earthquake, but mainly to keep ahead of the sandflies, I then quickly walked across the swing bridge again, and back to Walter and our car.   Safe again.

West Coast, New Zealand

Last Thursday we set forth, to drive from Wanaka to Greymouth, again in the most glorious sunshine.    The surrounding scenery was a photographer's dream, although a driver's nightmare.     Walter thought that we were never going to leave the shores of Lake Wanaka, because I kept asking him to stop so many times, in order to take photographs.

 The mountains kept changing colour, depending on the direction of the sun.   Such spectacular scenery.

 The last stretch of broad valley before entering the Haast Pass.

The Gates of Haast.     This stretch of the road was extremely difficult to build, due to the treacherous conditions - sheer sides of mountains, a deep ravine, and a river that often swept away the road, and the bridge.   When we travelled through on a bright sunny day, during a drought, the area looked very tranquil and benign.   I think the road through to the coast finally opened in 1960.  

This river looks benign, but I can assure you, it is not so.    A few hapless drivers have also driven off the road, and plunged into this ravine, and not lived to tell the tale either.   

 We drove away from the Gates of Haast until we came to a wide valley, which was surrounded by mountains, covered with snow.

 And finally we drove alongside the wide Haast river.    Before the road through the Haast Pass was built, the only method of getting to the township of Haast, was to drive down along the West Coast.    And from Invercargill this was a very long journey - via Christchurch and Greymouth.  

After sandwiches, coffee and cake at the Haast Hotel, we drove up along the coast, taking in all the beautiful coastal views, south

 and north.

Rocks, rocks and more rocks.

 Finally we arrived at the small township of Fox.    A stop for fuel only.    No looking at the glacier, as it was shrouded in cloud by this stage of the afternoon.   Once it was possible to drive to the foot of the glacier, but sadly it has receded back so much that a long walk is necessary, in order to get a really good look at it.

We stopped in Greymouth for the night, and after a lovely meal of Bluff oysters and blue cod, we retired to our very small motel room opposite the bottle shop, in order to dream of beautiful mountain scenes and raging rivers.

The next day our first stop was at the old mining town of Brunner, where we saw the old mine spread out in the valley below.    A very misty day, and not conducive to walking down into the mining area.

Walter standing in front of the old chimney.   And yes it is a chimney, not the local phallic symbol.

 And then we continued on our way, and the clouds lifted, and the sun appeared again.    Another glorious day.

Kingston to Wanaka

Last Tuesday we left Invercargill, in order to drive up to Lake Wanaka.     The weather was overcast, with low clouds, not a promising day to drive through mountainous country.    And then the clouds moved away and the sun came out.    Just in time to see the beautiful mountains ahead of us. 

We first travelled around the bottom part of Lake Wakatipu.    Not a cloud in sight.    The peaks were certainly at their best, without snow, that is.

 The Devils Staircase.    This used to be a treacherous piece of road, extremely narrow, tight bends and gravel covered.    Then in the late 1950's it was widened and sealed, and now easily navigated, hopefully on the correct side of the road.    Many tourists have had mishaps, due to forgetting to drive on the left.   So these roads can still be treacherous.    I will not mention the New Zealanders who drive very fast in their four wheeled vehicles, and get very impatient if you do not pull over and let them pass.    But they are never at fault, of course.  

Coronet Peak, the home of the original ski resort in the area.    The peak does not always get the best snow, but is still a popular place to ski when the snow is good.    I can remember travelling up to the ski resort, on very winding roads, in a bus that needed to reverse in order to negotiate some of the bends.   I can also remember putting on skis which were strapped onto leather boots.    I was so happy when plastic boots were invented.     I never did cope with leather boots.    Or rope ski tows.   Not that my skiing improved with the modern equipment!   But at least it was more comfortable.

 We drove around the edge of Queenstown, past Frankston and through Arrowtown, without a pause, no coffee and no ice creams, until we came to the rapidly rising and winding road which leads to the Crown Range.

 We stopped at the scenic stop, and were not disappointed with the view over the valley below,

 and the view to distant Lake Wakatipu.

 After driving up the continuing twisty and winding road, we reached the top, and then it was downhill all the way to the valley below.     This was one road where it was important to keep two sets of eyes on the road.    By the way there are plenty of arrows on the road to ensure that people to keep to the left.   So no excuses really.

 The Cardrona Hotel, full of mystique and some ghosts no doubt.     Last time we saw the hotel, it was in torrential rain.    Yes it does rain in Wanaka, Brian.    A great place to stop though for some pretty good food and beer.    

And finally we arrived in Wanaka, where we found the water levels in the lake had fallen even further than the year before.    Most of New Zealand is badly in need of some good rain, and it certainly has affected this beautiful lake.   

Walter, Susanne and Brian looking at the menu displayed in front of the new Speight's Ale House.   All food was reasonably priced and delicious too.  Walter introduced the chef to Affagato (espresso coffee poured over ice cream) which meant we could have our coffee and ice cream at the same time.    Good thinking, Walter.   The copper cladding on this building was made by David's sheetmetal company.   Looks very smart too. 

 This old Catholic church is now a boutique move theatre/restaurant.    The Catholic church is now beside the new school, all very modern and streamlined.   Good use of an old church building though.

 This was our final view of Lake Wanaka, as we left two mornings later.    So serene and peaceful, and still sunny.

Southland - buildings old, new and interesting

I have included photographs of a few interesting buildings in Southland.    I might add that some of the more picturesque buildings pictured below are not good examples of most homes in Southland, which are usually large and well looked after.  People generally do not live in corrugated iron shacks.   Although corrugated colour bond  is a very trendy building material.

The shop in the photograph below is not in Southland.  In fact it is situated in Omarama, in Otago, where we usually stop on our way down south.  But it is typical of shops in New Zealand that sell NZ products made with sheep and possum wool, plus outdoor gear suitable for the coldest, wettest and snowiest days.   We usually visit most of these shops, and then spend our money in a couple of shops in Wanaka.

Nor is this cafe in Southland.    It is in Geraldine, Canterbury, a favourite coffee stop for us, and on a lovely warm day it is great to sit out under the trees.     But on this occasion there were too many people enjoying their coffee inside, so no room for us.    It was a little too chilly for outside.   So we went across the road, and drank our coffee in a very stark and empty cafe.    Lucky people in our favourite cafe.

.We walked down a very deserted Dee Street in Invercargill.   The only other person was a lone cyclist in front of us.    Sadly many of the shops on this side of a once very bustling and popular shopping street, are deserted, partly due to people shopping at the big shops (chains) elsewhere, and partly due to the new earthquake regulations for buildings.   

The owners of old buildings will have to bring all their buildings up to earthquake regulations.    A very costly exercise.    And the question will then be,'Who will be able to afford to then rent the buildings?'  The earthquakes in Christchurch have proved to be problematic for people throughout New Zealand.  

The Grand Hotel, once the most expensive and prestigious hotel in Invercargill, now the home for students looking for cheap accommodation.    When the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited here in the mid 1950's they stayed in the hotel, and came out onto one of the balconies to wave to the people below.   Times have changed.   The new building regulations may sound the death knell of this beautiful old hotel.

This is all that is left of Ryal Bush Primary School, which closed twenty years or so ago.   All that remains are the two monkey puzzle trees, the new classrooms on the left, and the tennis courts.  The two main classrooms have long gone, as have the local hall, church, shop and blacksmith/garage which once made up the community of Ryal Bush.  Wooden buildings are not built to last, obviously.   Or is this progress?   

I loved attending Ryal Bush Primary School, with the huge grounds, swimming pool, tennis courts and gardens, all at our disposal.  So much time was spent on using these activities, with just a little time spent on school work.   School was fun, fun and more fun.  Obviously I became a teacher so that I could ensure that the next generation of children spent more time on learning to read, write and do mathematics and less time on fun and wasteful activities.

I know it is not Christmas but Shona is busily sorting out her Christmas shop, in readiness for a group visiting the following day.    This is a seriously dedicated shop, devoted to all things related to Christmas.  

Barry and Diana and their grandson Ben, posing with Walter, in front of their daughter's new house.   This house was transported down from Christchurch, and reinstated on a concrete base in Wallacetown.     The garage and a bay window came down on a separate truck.    The house was not damaged in the earthquakes in Christmas, but it was in a red area, and therefore could not be lived in.    At least the house is now being used, rather than lie in disuse in one of the suburbs in Christchurch.

Another lovely cafe, great ambiance and excellent coffee.   The Magpie.   We found three cafes that we particularly liked in Invercargill, and all produced the most delectable coffee - The Three Beans, Nicolls, and The Magpie. We spent some time, and some money, at these venues.   Good for the local economy.

Another visit to the mouth of the Waiau, this time to see the new addition to the property.    No shack this time, but a small house, transported from a farm somewhere in Southland.    And now there are large water tanks, and a septic system, so all modern conveniences are installed.    Perfect for a few quiet days away, and to shelter from the elements when down there fishing or whitebaiting.   No wi fi.   I tried to pick up a signal on my telephone.   But they do have satelite television, I see.  

And the views of the surrounding hills and mountains are superb.   A lovely place to sit, on the couch, if the sun is shining, and snooze and read in the warmth.   Perfection.

The shack, which has been moved to the other side of the property, is still very comfortable, and provides extra accommodation.

This is a true fishing shack, among the flax bushes, down at the Waiau river mouth.    Obviously the owners collected the corrugated iron from a variety of sources.

I loved this whitebaiting shack when we visited last year.   Even the car looked the same.     Maybe we could build a tin extension onto our caravan down in the south of France.

On the way back from the Waiau mouth, we travelled through Ohai, once a bustling coal mining town, but now a deserted ghost town.      

The view over a wasteland of coal sludge to the once active coal mine.    I think only an oil find will save the town from complete disintegration.   I have been told Ohai is a favourite haunt of people seeking a certain substance that makes people feel very happy.

And a hive of industry at the front of the Wallacetown tavern.    The  men from the local rugby club helping to sand down the pub, in readiness for a paint job.    A complete makeover.    We are looking forward to seeing the results on our next visit.

I could have taken many more photographs, of beautiful houses and pubs, and shops, but I tend to forget to get my camera out.   I also forgot to take photographs of Vickery Court, where my sister, Mavis, now lives.   A really lovely retirement home too.    My apologies here.