Oh dear..should have heeded the signs.

 Castlepoint lighthouse last night.

10th November

Oh dear, as lovely as parking near to a beach was, one very big downside if the wind blows...and that's sand. The calm conditions when we arrived yesterday didn't stay that way and became a problem after we had gone to bed! 3 am and both wide awake. Wind was howling, rain beating down on the roof, side canvas vents open, oh dear...better get up and sort it! Ian in his undies got wet! Droplets already getting through the vents, a bit of swearing and a rapid pull on the handles to drop the top. Phew, that done it was try and get back to sleep. Failed miserably because the Toy was rocking....a lot!

7 am (must have fallen asleep after all) rain had stopped, wind still blowing a holey and the noise of tiny pinpricks of sand being blown onto the sides. I open side door to nip to the toilets and get sandblasted!

This video shows what I mean.

 

Now I am not going to make any excuses for ignoring warning signs. Yesterday one of the locals said it was okay to do the loop, so we set off for Deliverance Cove. as planned. If only we had done a bit of research we would have discovered why the track was closed.  To see why click HERE

 

First part of the track was good, up hill it and easy going. 

Track went straight through these.

 

At the top the wind strength increased, and I must say the ridge either side of the coves was a bit hairy. We had to judge the wind speed before making the dash across.

Deliverance Cove

 Lots of cracks in the ground as well, still didn't click that slippage was the reason and look at that rock. A great force would be needed to break that apart.

 

 So on we went until we hit the steps. Ah, now it was very obvious why the track was closed!

A big step off the path due to slippage and another set of steps that had twisted

 

From there on getting down to the beach was a little challenging to say the least and the final bit was almost a slide down on one's bottom jobbie!

Barrier across the path didn't stop anyone from getting around it.

"I think it's this way"

The last bit to the beach

It only took us 2 hours, I did suffer on those steps, the knees took a hammering! Glad to get back but what was going on at the lighthouse? Police everywhere. Had there been an accident? Didn't appear to be seeing as the public still had access. No it could have just been Policeman's day out!

Lunch over and we headed off to Woodville. 

So we didn't have to do a massive detour it was decided to take the gravel road from Tinui to Alfredton. Roughly 21 km in places the gravel bangs steeply away along the edges. Best stay in the middle then! The only thing met was sheep and all being herded by a farmer on his buggy and three dogs. 

One of the leaflets at the i Site had a picture of jet boat thrill rides through the Manawatu Gorge. 360 deg spins....just our cup of tea. Disappointment all round when we were told that they actually run from Whanganui and only come to Woodville occasionally! Lots of swearing and "Now what do we do?" As time was getting on we found a wonderful site right by the Manawatu river. Called Ferry Reserve it is for self contained vehicles only, but 'long drops' are present. No water other than the river.

A storm is coming, 6" of rain is set to fall in a 24 hour period and warnings of heavy seas and rivers rising. Blooming 'eck...may have to think about going into a proper site for power 'cos I don't think the solar panels will be of any use.

And wildlife