Some more eventful days seeing things I’ve not seen before. And some more wonderfully friendly and warm hospitality from friends of my friends, who had not previously met me personally at all. So, a few highlights – not all that I’ve seen and done.
Based in Christchurch, we went for a walk around Godley Head, ending up at Boulder Bay, a quirky little bay with boulders at the shore (of course!) and a couple of small “baches” (pronounced “batches”) – small huts/holiday homes. We went looking for paua shells, those gloriously colourful mother-of-pearl shells for which New Zealand is famous. I found a few shards, but the girls we were with found several complete shells.
Paua shell fragments from Boulder Bay
Yesterday, further south, I watched as yellow-eye penguins surfed in to shore and waddled up the beach past sunbathing seals camouflaged against the smooth, dark rocks. The penguins preened themselves as they stood on the rocks, walked up the grassy banks to the top of the cliff, and fed their young. We watched them for ages in the late afternoon sun.
Yellow-eye penguins
Then we headed a bit further north to see the Moeraki boulders – large, spherical rocks in a particular area of the Moeraki beach. They looked like giant eggs, complete with fissures as if some dinosaur about to peck its way free and enter the world. A few of the boulders had broken open, to reveal a thick flint-like shell within the pitted rock covering, about a hollow centre. There were two more boulders still attached to the cliffs, ready to roll onto the beach when the cliff lets them go.
Moeraki boulders
A picnic tea on the beach as the sun faded, before heading home… I could get used to this!!
Back to Christchurch today, where I’ve met up with Mark, who has flown out from Durham for a holiday, so we’ll do some of our touring together. Off to Kaikoura tomorrow to go whale-watching. (Mark’s inimical blog is at http:/www.markspeller.wordpress.com).
An Englishman and his picnic - Mark in Christchurch
julie said
hi tamzin. your adventures loook fab, so many new things to see. hope you are well. keep trekking. this is my first attempt at this so dont no if you will get it. love ju