Aramoana and the Mole

 February 13th

 I can fully understand why the Kiwis are up in arms with this freedom camping malarkey. The few uncaring, loud, uncouth foreigners spoil it for the many! I'm not going to say which nationality, they were Europeans but not English, that would be tarring them all with the same brush and of course its only the few that are like that. Well into the night 5 men and a lady (no she was no lady with the foul English swear words coming from her mouth) drank, shouted, laughed raucously and generally made everyone wish they could all just go away or lay down and die, and it went on until the wee hours of the morning! Needless to say no sleep was had until they shut up but when we did eventually wake, emerge and step out of the Toy, this was found by their cars.

 

It was also windy and three pizza boxes, a pair of socks and other parts of clothing were seen disappearing down the car park. Next year things are going to change. No longer can self contained stickers be stuck to a vehicle if a fixed toilet is not in place. That will exclude all sleeper cars and small campers, the Toy included. This from the Freedom Camping changes website 

On 25th August 2022, the Self-Contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Bill (The Bill) was introduced to Parliament

 The major changes the Bill makes are:

1. Require vehicle-based freedom campers to use a certified self-contained vehicle when they stay on council land. This is unless the council designates the site as suitable for non-self-contained vehicles.
2. Establish a regulated system for the certification and registration of self-contained vehicles.
3. Require vehicles to have a fixed toilet to be certified self-contained.
4. Strengthen the infringement system.
5. Extend the Freedom Camping Act to include land managed by Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency and Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand.

 So you see, future travellers to NZ will have to go into a paid site to meet these requirements and I expect many will put two fingers up and ignore the law!

We left fairly early, didn't want to associate with them as they stirred from their cars. Something may have been said! First port of call was at the car wash. The Toy was filthy, a vacuum was also nearby, the carpet also got a good going over. Leaving the city a sign mentioning a Chinese Garden was seen. Okay, one last Dunedin attraction to see.

Concessionary rates were given to us, not all places will allow us Brits to enter with our cards even though we are pensioners. "New Zealanders only" they say. There was a definite Déjà vu moment as we entered. Suddenly it clicked, We had visited back in 2017! Never mind, a lovely tranquil hour was spent and the garden was every bit as lovely as I remembered it.

The road out of Dunedin was along the coastal road. In fact the Seasider train also took this route before heading off into the hills at Port Chalmers. From the road perspective we got to see the port and the cruise ship Viking Mars on its berth. 

This ship was on its way in

This road and coastline could almost be the mirror image of the Otago Peninsular.Then we were on our way to the Albatross centre roughly 5 days ago. Crikey, doesn't time fly!

 In an exploring mood we veered off the main road towards Te Ngaru. Stopping to admire the view, there lying at the beach entrance was a seal! I took photos from afar, I wasn't even going to attempt to get onto the beach, too risky.

 

Further along the road we came to a conservation area, at a place called Aramoana. We stopped at a car park and walked through the dunes to the beach. The wind had really picked up. I wonder if that is anything to do with Cyclone Gabrielle due to hit Auckland today. The top end of the South Island had also been mentioned. Of course, we are far to the South so won't affect us at all.

In the distance we saw a spit of land going far out into the sea. Another place to explore. Before leaving the loo was required, another of those long drops and judging by the straps anchoring it to the ground, I reckon high winds are a constant in this place.  

The next turn off the road took us to the carpark. This was also part of the conservation area and we noticed a great place where we could stop overnight. It was a bit early at only 2 pm but we rather fancied the solitude after last night's fiasco. 

Braving the winds we walked to the very end of the Mole. Yep that's the name for sea wall. I found this  by a chap called John Caswell on his blog From a Small City

Englishman Sir John Coode had a plan. To protect Otago Harbour’s entrance from silting by directing the tidal flow, in 1880 Sir John cleverly designed two moles at the head of the harbour; one jutting out from Taiaroa Head and the other at Aramoana. Unfortunately the Harbour Board had over extended their budget at the time and consequently only the mole at Aramoana was built. Even then it was built to only half the height of Sir John’s specifications and by the 1920’s storm damage had destroyed a large portion of it.

To one side was the full force of the winds whipping up the waves and to the right, much calmer conditions being the breakwater leading to Port Chalmers. From the very end of the Mole the Albatross centre could be clearly seen. No Albatross seen flying but we could see those nesting birds.

I noticed right by the Toy a bench. It seemed a strange place to place it, so far back in the car park corner. Next to it was a large boulder and on it was this.

What a tragedy. This from the web

Walking down a small path framed by trees was this lovely memorial

This makes one wonder why someone would do such a thing.

So this was the spot we choose. Beautiful isn't it. Horses and riders were seen on the beach as well as kite  hydra surfers enjoying the balmy conditions. Very glad we made the turn off the main road to look at Aramoana.

And Terns seen at the end of the Mole