Ugly Camping Cromwell

Driving down beside Lake Dunstan Zi ride past what was previously the Lake Dunstan B&B where we've stayed several times last time with our Aussie friends.

The place looks a bit forlorn so I guess maybe they sold up.

Mine was the last Trip Advisor review ... so it's a bit sad.

So it's into Cromwell for cold drink; gas up and head to the camping ground. Dirty and dusty and pricey for what you get and too far out of town to walk.

After Lindis Pass

I didn't stop at the summit lookout today but headed down and had a nap and brew up at this picnic spot.

Lake Pukaki and MtCook

I wish some place would show up on the planet as the "next place" to rush off to and see lovely scenery and take selfies then maybe NZ would recover from this onslaught.... oh dear I think I'm being negative...

Leaving Fairlie

Fairlie it was so cold packing up - I appreciated how good my tent, mat and sleeping bag is.

Still I got away 2hrs and 15mins from getting up. When there was two it took two hours so clearly I understand my way around the packing up of the tent!!

First night of camping

On-on to Fairlie

Near Mount Somers

Mount Hutt

Lovely clouds and views

Just a quick eat

I stopped at a rest area and ate Renee's bread with salami and cheese and then went on.

I didn't stop at Sheffield Pie shop and decided it was too early to camp at Rakaia Gorge - two favourites from the past.

After Arthur’s Pass

After a lovely stay in Arthur's Pass ... totally pampered and loved to max by a friend I'm off into the chilly morning down down towards Christchurch...

Arthur’s Pass

I’m so taken care of. I have friends who live in this beautiful place and run a B&B and I am most priviledged to stay a night or two or possibly three.

I arrived in beautiful sunshine and enjoyed a walk along the river,

Lake Brunner

The communal grave of those that died in the Brunner Mine is at Stillwater. From there the scenic route brings me to Moana where there is a fabulous view of the lake.

I lucked in to arrive just as the train pulled in... what a treat

The sun was warm and the air windless it was great to dilly-dally at the cafe and just enjoy being present. Another first going solo!

Moonlight

 This was a thriving gold mining community of over 100 people. The second largest gold nugget found in NZ was here. Nothing remains except an information board and picnic table and a view of the mountains.

Good place for a brew up.

Reefton

Another first. A visit to the sports shop in Reefton. M and I always dropped in and we nearly always purchased something. Their gear is of very good quality. We’ve bought things from sleeping bag and trousers through to water shoes and camping gas!

If you visit Reefton its just one of the best outdoor shops in the area ... probably the only one!

Reefton

By the time I arrived at Reefton the wind was pretty fierce for the last 60-odd kilometers. 

I’m happy to have a comfortable bed for the night.

Brunner Mining Area

On on loosely following the Grey River and a stop at the Brunner Mining area.

Took this nice pic of the Grey River from the Brunner suspension bridge. An explosion in 1896 at the Brunner killed 69 people and still remains the biggest mining disaster in NZ history.

Down the Coast to Greymouth

Back down the coast same as yesterday made for more curves and cruisey riding down to Greymouth.

A little further on and a little detour to Kumara. Gold was discovered in 1876 and it was also home to Richard John Seddon who was to become NZ Premier.

Historic bathing pool.

South of Kumara is this amazing swimming pool built during the depression. Now an historic site is amazing to visit.

Denniston Plateau

Today’s travels took me up to the Denniston plateau. A sealed road but has loose metal on the surface and combined with some tight curves and a few of them rather steep and the trip to the top required my serious concentration. Stuffed up on one corner...fortunately no-one (vehicle) around!

But the views were worth the concentrated ride to the top.

The plateau lies  at 600 metre elevation and is notorious for being shrouded in cloud but today it was chilly and overcast but stunning views. Pics don’t really don’t show how spectacular it is up there.

Blackball

Always a favorite place to visit with a rich history of mining, the birth of the Labour Party in New Zealand and more recently the Blackball Salami Co

A delicious pie from the shop next to the Salami place

Blackball Community Centre

Lower Buller River heading into Westport

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From McKinley Lookout.

The empty road ...

West Coast -top end

The top end of the West Coast of South Island is stunning in beautiful weather and today was perfect. Sunshine, not hot and not windy.

Punakaiki Blowholes has become so touristic that since I couldn’t find any place to park in two out of the three car parking areas I decided it was clearly too overcrowded to be an enjoyable place to visit.

However the riding was fabulous with not much traffic and enough curves to be interesting: slow enough riding to enjoy the view.

...heaven...

Sunset at Westport Motel

My little Versys parked neatly outside my motel room

Cable Bay

A frolic at the beach with friends and the dog

Exploring the South Island and some more firsts...

I’m a bit apprehensive heading off on a South Island Tour on my own.

I got on and off the ferry and successfully tied my bike down and the crossing was uneventful

A fabulous ride around Queen Charlotte Drive from Picton. It was so such fun on the smaller bike even with a full load.

From the ferry