Gosh a stampede and two posts for the price of one.

 December 22nd

The only real noise we had last night was the call of the Weka. A screeching sound, very loud especially right next to the Toy. If you want to know what it sounds like, click HERE . A few lorries travelling down the hill in the wee hours used their noisy engine brakes to slow down, which did raise us from our slumber but briefly but all in all, both of us slept well. 

Another rainy start to the day, thankfully short lived. A car turned up early and out came two tourists to walk to the view point. On their return that Weka happened to be by our door. This fascinated the couple, I believe they were from Germany but only had a smattering of English and judging by their hand signals, they were asking what was was the bird. "A Weka" I said and had to repeat the word several times. When the arms started flapping I guessed they were after knowing if it flew. A shake of the head was all that was needed. Of course her phone came out for a photo and the gentleman rushed to get his camera. On his return he had the camera in one hand and a slice of bread in the other. 

 We left late, well after 10 am. I still had that awful smell from the fridge every time the door was opened  I must have missed some of the juices from that pork after the clean. Everything came out again and washed. I still have no idea if I got it all but the smell has disappeared, so I live in hopes. It was most unpleasant!

Back onto the SH60 to drive the remaining part of the Takaka Hill. For another 3 km we climbed then the descent started. If I thought going up was bad enough, coming down had me again gripping the edge of my seat. Low gear was maintained throughout the descent but at times the Toy speeded up. More zig zag bends and those hairpins, I doubt there are many roads in New Zealand like this one. Hmm, maybe the Remutaka crossing was worse! At least on this hill we didn't have any high winds to contend with. 

The brown line is where we have been and the blue line was yet to come.

At Takaka town we stopped for a quick shop, just something for dinner tonight. Then it was off to find Waikoropupu Springs. 

This was another of the Maori sacred places and everywhere signs asking everyone to be respectful and not to touch the spring water. From the car park it was a very easy walk of about 1 km. If only the sun had shone the colours would have been spectacular. These are New Zealand's largest freshwater springs and the largest cold water springs in the Southern Hemisphere. It has some of the clearest water ever measured. Even with cloud cover it was worth the visit. In fact, we visited the springs twice. The first time to see the waters and then again because Ian didn't press the video record button on his phone and he did so want to record the bubbling spring. We got wet on that second walk, started to rain, and we were nowhere near the car park. Anyway I took some video for him just in case his finger failed to press the correct button again.

 

With time to kill we drove to see what the Golden Sands were like. A popular destination for the locals and holidaymakers, this was the one area we thought we would avoid during the Christmas break. I can see why people flock there. Beautiful bays with sand stretching as far as the eye can see during low tide.

An other popular destination was at a place called Totaranui, 20 km from Takaka, 10 km of that on gravel road. Lots of slippage on this road as well as hairpins and zigzags. Meeting another vehicle was always a danger, and we did just that on the way back. That photo later. 

Part way along was a lay-by and in that lay-by a wheel hub had been placed against the fence. Now the Toy has a wheel hub missing, has had since we got her and Ian immediately recognised this hub to be from a Toyota." I think this may fit the van" said he. And he was right!

Reaching Totaranui we expected a small touristy place where we could get an ice cream or coffee. Instead we found a DOC (Department of Conservation) site with nothing apart from toilets, a dump point, water and a booking office for paying the camp fees. On inquiry of those fees we were told $15 each per night. As nice as this place was and the beach ideal for spending a long leisurely day on, the NZMCA site back at Port Tarakohe near to Pohara only wanted 5 dollars a night and that was with toilets and showers nearby. No contest really, back we went.

DOC site at Totaranui

Rounded a bend and nearly had a bump with a motorhome coming in the opposite direction. We couldn't see him, and they couldn't see us. Quick on the brake reactions from both drivers as they rounded the corner and a collision was averted.

And then another interesting scenario occurred. Coming towards us at some speed, young calves. Ian slammed on the brakes again and came to a stop. What I can deduce is the farmer was moving them to another field and some made a break for it. It wasn't long before the farmer came tearing along the road in his buggy, tore past us on the inside and managed to get them turned. All very exciting and unexpected. One lone calf avoided the round up, it was mentioned to the farmer as we drove past.

Tonight we stopped at the NZMCA site at Port Tarakohe. It has a small harbour with a few boats anchored and fishing fleet. The toilets and showers are at the yacht club. A door code was provided for our use.

And on route was this free solo rock climber. Ian was all for stopping and watching, but I couldn't bear the thought that I might witness him falling.

December 23rd

More rain...lots of rain, in fact it lasted nearly all day. We left that site and headed back to Takaka, with Christmas coming up this place had a large supermarket where we could get everything needed for the special day. Shopping done, and even with it tipping down, an explore of the town was a must. I managed to find just the T Shirt I had been looking for. One with a Kiwi on the front. For $15 a bargain. At the liquor store we treated ourselves to a bottle of Rum. Just the coke to buy, and we will be set up for a boozy Christmas.

The rain never eased, arrived at Collingwood, sat in the Toy for an hour before we could get onto the site. Our pitch was right on the water front. It most definitely didn't look its best in all that rain. One thing we both expected was to be able to get onto a beach and I suppose we were a bit disappointed that this wouldn't happen. Last August massive storms had brought debris down the river and deposited fallen trees, and branches along the shore line. A clean up had not occurred so consequently the place is looking a bit worse for wear.  We are also next to the tidal River Aorere and as the chap said in the office, not really suitable for swimming. It looks now as if we will have to travel to a beach after all. Not a hardship really, just not what we expected, we have been told of a nice one further up the coast. 

We walked to the boat ramp to see if this could be where we could swim. Locals do swim there but again not advisable.

This is the only way onto the sands from this holiday park.

The sun did put in an appearance late afternoon. Doesn't everything look better in the sun? What a difference and once the tide had come in, the place took on the look of an idyllic holiday destination.