On the Tohu Whenua trail.

 January 11th

Woke up hot even though the sun hadn't appeared over the treeline yet, but when it did, we knew we were in for a scorcher. Just having a wash when Marilyn appeared in her nighty, it's the done thing over here, nobody bats an eyelid. Anyway she went off for a shower and reappeared 30 minutes later with scissors. I was due a promised haircut but her scissors were still back in Waikanae. Ian came out with a pair used for trimming his moustache, they were not up to Marilyn's standard (blunt) so a huge pair of scissors appeared, a bit like dressmaking scissors! Still, Marilyn has many skills, cooking is one and coping with whatever implement to hand for hairdressing is the other. It was hot, I was facing directly into the sun (my fault as I had placed the chair) and a towel was around my shoulders. Ian had my camera, David took it too at one stage. I felt like a guinea pig being watched by the campers close by as well as our two men! The trim was lovely although dressmaking scissors around one's ears were a bit worrying! I was told in no uncertain terms to stop f***ing winging! Another lovely job, Thank you again Marilyn. 

Breakfast (or should I say brunch) was had at the Kitchen Hokitika. A kiwi Hoki Breakfast (full English but with a twist)

That's my nice new T. Shirt from Marilyn.

The last breakfast for a while together, it was filling and delicious. Bill paid we set off for Brunner Mines. Marilyn took the lead, gosh we had trouble keeping up! No speed limits broken I must add, no its just the Toy is that bit slower on the up hill bits. 

Great suggestion to go to the mines. This was also a Tohu Whenua site which acknowledges memories of the land marking places made significant by New Zealand's forbearers and telling their stories. There are quite a few on the islands and our task now is to try and find them.

The red cross is the Brunner site.

Not being a native of New Zealand many disasters pass you by and this was one that we had no knowledge of. The history was quite shocking because on the 26th March 1896 an explosion killed men, boys and 4 pit ponies. The ponies had warned of an imminent disaster as they refused to be led into the mine, rearing, breaking loose from their handlers and galloping back to the stables, it was only by blindfolding the ponies that the handles managed to lead them back into the pit and to their deaths. 

This from NZ History

The mine steadily produced coal for over 40 years. The Brunner mine explosion in 1896 was New Zealand’s worst mining disaster, causing the death of 65 men and boys. The impact on the population was enormous: 186 children were left fatherless, 37 women were widowed, and 14 elderly parents were deprived of their sole financial support.

We read the information boards and walked a circular trail. It was a fascinating place to visit even though in the back of our minds the sorrow felt by all those who lost their loved ones on that awful day.

 

 

 

Bricks made on site

Beehive Coke Kilns

Back to our vehicles, hugs and goodbyes said, we set off in different directions. Us to Nelson Creek DOC camp ground for a lazy afternoon in the sun and Marilyn and David to Murchison. Our plan is to next meet up on our return to the North Island but quite when that will be is depended on what we find to do on the South Island.

 

And wildlife

Uropetala carovei New Zealand's largest Dragonfly

And right in front of us it grabbed the Cicada and proceeded to eat it! A bit gruesome but such is life.