SPRINGS JUNCTION

WEDNESDAY, 30th October

Today was a travel day, with a few stops along the way.  We left the cottage at 9 o'clock, in the rain, temperature 9 degrees but in the distance we could see the sky was lightening so we felt encouraged, rightly so as in half an hour there was blue sky, though a few rain clouds still hung about and it was still a bit chilly.    

First stop was at the monument to Ernest Lord Rutherford of Nelson, considered to be father of the atom and who was born in Nelson, in a cottage where the monument now stands.

The next visit was to have been an Historic Village but it was closed so we continued on, enjoying the scenery.  

At 10.50a.m. we had sunshine and 5 minutes later we came to the Flat Rock Cafe at Kohatu, so stopped and had coffee and cake at an outside table, basking in the sun and admiring the view.

We continued on, the scenery was gorgeous all the way

including the 9 minute roadwork stoppage

and on seeing signs for the Hope Saddle Lookout, we detoured off the main road to look out, but there was just one gap in the greenery through which the view was visible.  There was a gazebo there which didn't seem to serve any purpose, other than to be photographed.

After another half hour's driving, we came to the Kawatiri Picnic Area

where there are the remains of an old railway bridge and a picnic table

Back on the road

and we arrived in Murchison, parked the car and went for a seniors' stroll along the main street

Another little detour took us to the Buller Gorge Swingbridge, New Zealand's longest swingbridge where for $12.50 per person, one can walk above the raging Buller River and walk the Loop Walk, except that today part of the walk was closed due to heavy rains rendering it too dangerous.  Also available there is jet boating, gold panning and a zip line...after a bit of umming and aahing, Mike paid his money and went across on the zip line!  Me?  I thought I was brave walking across the bridge and back again!

More driving, more scenery

The Maruia Falls are a 5 minute walk from the carpark off the main road

On the road again

and finally, the view from the deck of our motel room in Springs Junction

RUBY BAY 2

 TUESDAY, 29th October.

The day seemed promising at 6.00a.m. but the predicted rain arrived a couple of hours later so a revision of plans was necessary.  We had a list of must dos which unfortunately the weather has forced us to change.  We decided we'd visit one of our must dos today, a 35km drive to the Riuwaka Resurgence, armed with raincoats and brollys for the 10 min each way walk to the source of the Riuwaka River.

 

Despite the constant rain, it was a lovely walk which we had to ourselves until we were leaving, when a group of tourists arrived, followed by 3 ladies.  

The picnic area.....for ducks only today!

On the road out

there were 2 fords, thankfully, neither deep enough to close the road!

We saw no point in tramping around in the rain, or any fun in it for that matter so drove into Motueka to the bakery/cafe for coffee and a pie each.  

In Motueka

The sun made an appearance at 1.15p.m. but it was only a cameo.

We were at a bit of a loss as to what to do in the rain, neither wanted to sit around in our cottage and twiddle thumbs so we decided to go home, collect our bag of washing and find a laundromat

so did that, placed the laundry in a machine and while it was washing, went in to Mapua which yesterday was packed with people enjoying the public holiday in the sunshine

and today was almost empty with just a couple of businesses open.  We bought a real fruit icecream each and found a seat under cover to eat them, by which time it was time to go back to Mrs Pompernickle's to throw everything in the dryer.

That was our day, tomorrow will be fine, so we're told.