On 27th we stopped over in a place called Balclutha whose main claim to fame is a large river! Lovely welcome to the fairly basic camp site from Leanne, the owner who's married to an Englishman originally from Stoke on Trent.
Visited the Northern end of the "Catlins" today. Beautiful deserted beaches and a very rough road leading up to "Nugget Point". Certainly shook, rattled and rolled us and the contents of our van. However it was worth the shaking. After a good walk, we were able to view some amazing rocks (nuggets) which grow out of the sea. Rather like the 12 Apostles in Australia. Could hear lots of squawking from the seals below but only spotted a couple.
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| Sea near Nugget Point |
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| Our rather dusty van having mastered a rough road! |
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| Roaring Bay - home to yellow eyed Penguins and Fur Seals |
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| Lighthouse at Nugget Point |
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| Nugget Point |
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| "Nuggets" in the sea |
Highlight of the day was our visit to Dunedin where we met Ann Culy, one of Mike's Kiwi cousins. She wasn't expecting us but greeted us very warmly. Seems a lovely lady and talented too. In 1995 she set up a jewellery workshop and gallery that makes and sells works from all over NZ. Dangerous place as there were some very attractive and unusual pieces! She'd just returned from a family wedding so was able to show us pics of other members of the Culy tribe that we hope to meet in the coming weeks. It's remarkable how these links are coming together and really good to get to know more about our respective family histories.
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| Ann Culy and Mike (Ann had broken her arm before our arrival!) |
Dunedin's an interesting place. Made most of it's money in 19th Century from gold mining and the town is full of what were once rather grand buildings, all rather reminiscent of Edinburgh (the Scottish influence is strong in these parts). Unfortunately many of the buildings now need some TLC.
Wow Ometer Update!
3 star WOW's:
Meeting up with the Blomfield and Sherlock clan again
Whale watching at Kaikoura
Flight across Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Mounts Cook and Tasman and surrounding area
Milford Sound cruise
2 star WOW's:
Matheson Lake walk (free)
Wine tour in Blenheim
Watching the seals just outside Kaikoura (free)
1 Star WOW's:
Duder Regional Park (free)
Whitebait at Curly Tree Whitebait Company
The Mussel Kitchen, Coromandel Town
Keplers Restaurant, Te Anau (great seafood and meat and delicious dairy free sorbet)
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