Such a lot of dust.

 January 18th

. Having been told of good seafood hut at Jackson Bay, that was to be the destination today. It was a turn off the SH6 and nearly 50 km further along the coast, but we had been told to try the Crayfish lunch there, it was legendary. I'm not a big seafood fan but Ian really looked forward to trying it. So we left late after first doing a bit of shopping. The plan had been to stay at Jackson Bay overnight, we needed milk, there was nothing other than that seafood place at the Bay so shopping at Fox township it was.

The road was long and straight went on for mile upon mile until yea...a sharp bend to the right. But before doing that turn there was a gravel road going straight ahead with Jackson River Cascade lookout sign at the start. 

 

Onto that gravel road following the river, dodging the potholes and going over some lovely wooden bridges.

 

Then we met a truck. Hmm, this should be interesting! Clouds of dust in his wake, windows hastily shut and air recycled in the Toy.

He pulled over, what a nice man and gave a friendly wave too.

More roadworks, this time it looked as the bank was being reinforced.

20 km we travelled along this road, finally came to a small cut out area by the side of the road. The information board showed we were at the right place

The vista before us was good but not sure if it was worth travelling that 20k along a ridged and extremely dusty track. 

Might need washing again?

Oh, look, that truck across the road and having to move out of our way. I don't suppose he was pleased to see us again!

Moved back across the bridge to allow us to pass.

A coffee break was fancied and a lovely spot by the river was just the right spot.

Back on the sealed road we headed for Jackson Bay. Now this was worth going to see, Lovely clear turquoise blue water, a jetty protruding out to sea, that hut selling fish and chips and blast....SAND FLIES hundreds of them! 

 

Fish and chips ordered, well, Ian had blue cod and I had chicken (no crayfish on the menu today) we sat at the table watching the world go by. If you look at this photo there are two sandfly deterrent bottles on the table, both ours, it was worth using the two together as extra protection. A lady sitting at the table opposite was covered in the blighters!. I expect our backs were covered too. 

As lovely as this place was I really couldn't handle those sandflies in that quantity, so we left to make our way toward Wanaka. Back along that road until we came to the SH 6. Some wonderful views along the way.

 
A DOC site at Pleasant Flats would make a good overnight stop, when we arrived we were the only ones there. Soon filled though, there must be at least 20 all crammed in. We were lucky that a large motorhome came in next to us leaving a decent gap (mindful of invaded space), but not leaving room for another vehicle in between. It was hot, OMG was it hot! No shade where we had parked, our fault 'cos the solar blanket had to have sun, so we suffer because of it. No doors open just windows with the fly screen, there were some big blow flies about too. Where had they come from? The sand flies were present but not in any quantity thank goodness. We were glad when the sun moved behind the hills, some relief at last.

 And this was not a good idea leaving uneaten chips on the table.

Pink because they were under an umbrella.