On to the Westport area

Monday, the 28th

Preparing for this day of travel we sat at the computer (remember, we are in a Yogi Bear  campground) next to Allan, age about 70.  He struck me as an ice fisherman, another man misunderstood by his wife but a good sort still.  His wife must have been back in their trailer, happy to be rid of him.  He told truly funny stories about fellow Kiwis, and was very interested in our trip.  He listened well.  In recounting a North Island highlight, Cape Reinga, at the northern tip...I told him of our trip there, and his eyes glistened with New Zealander pride, until I pronounced REINGA, using two syllables.  He held his head in his hands.  He groaned, “It was soooo good up until you said that.”  He pronounced it his way, with many more syllables.  We talked some more and went to bed, leaving him to talk further with Mimi who was still computering away and happy to talk with life’s strays.  

We went to Murchison this morning, with me trying trout fishing for about 20 minutes along the way.  Sorting through sheep dung, bit by bitey flies, ignored by invisible fish...we cut our loses within the hour and hurtled on to Westport.  We checking into the next Yogi Bear and then went to the seal colony, on the Tasmin Sea.  This is an entertainment stretch for me, but we had a nice day and hiked almost two hours to see our 100th lighthouse.  Now, after steaks in the grill, we retire.**  

OK.. my turn... the seal colony and the walk along the Tarunga Bay to Foulwind Bay was just stunning. Allan was truly funny and I think only about 58. Nice try, Denny.

I was very pleased with our meal here until we ran into a 12 year old couple - oh no, wait they drive - OK, so 15....  made their own pizza from scratch - dough and all - then she whipped up an apple strudel something while he sewed a torn pillow case. OMG, how annoying!

A fabulous day....again...

*Our place of sleep is a loft in our camper van...18 inches high, fairly roomy once you get inside.  One has to think before a last beer, as getting down at night is dicey.  We are learning as we travel. Will add photo tomorrow.

Buller River....trout?

Hmmmmm.....

Murchison where no one could tell us a thing about good fishing spots because they really wanted us to pay for a guide...

OMG... hilarious! (Well, sort of, right?)

OH... in our camper van, Chelsea!!!!

Walking along Toranga Bay to Foulwind Bay - an hour and a half walk 

Where currents from the northern and southern hemispheres meet

Fabulous tramp, as the Kiwis call hiking...

Below me was a fifty foot drop - NO guardrails!

The baby seals having fun in the rising tide at the seal colony at the bay

awww......