Upon leaving Greymouth, this is our first sighting of the famous "Pancake Rocks".....a stop we may have avoided in our hurry to get to Golden Bay....so glad we followed Jan's advice....
The "rural post" as opposed to the "city post", the lady on the bicycle pictured in Ashburton.
The first pancake, up close and personal,.....it's really a bench, but made of the rock
The pancake stack layered look is really layers of limestone deposited millions of years ago when this was sea bottom. The rock was then pushed up and cut by rain, winds, and surf.
The result was natural rock carvings,
these crevices,
washing machine looking caldrons, and spectacular blow holes (active when the tide is higher).
Even the steps are stone
This is a weka.....seen many places....unfortunately, most of those places are in the middle of the highway....dead.
Even as we turn inland from the west coast, the scenery continues to be amazing....are you bored?
These enormous hedgerows have been scattered throughout the South Island....There is a booming business for the trimmers! They are 15-20' tall....and you CANNOT see anything behind them.
Attention all you beer enthusiasts!!!! These are HOPS!!! The only hops growing area in NZ/
A quick snapshot of a harrowing drive....the Takaka Hill highway. Hill, is, mind you, a total misnomer. It is a MOUNTAIN. I, Kathy, was white knuckled the entire way!!! Tom was driving....I HURT at the end, due to tense, tight muscles....please note the scenic views of the sea and the farmland AND the heights from which these pictures were taken....we climbed approx 3,000' in about 45 minutes!!! hairpins, curvy, no guard rail....may I say again, "AWFUL!!" They tell us there is a sign somewhere which says: "It's a HILL! Get over it!"
The enticing, hedge lined, 1/4 mile long drive to our new nest...
The view from our living area.....the doors open completely....a delightful switch from sliding, gliding, or french doors.....wonderful open space....and no bugs!
We have a full kitchen!!! For the first and only time!!
Went out to eat at the locally famous "Mussel Inn".....a good story behind the name. The owner sold his own home brew beer illegally from this location 50 or so years ago. He was hassled by the law enforcement and shunned by some neighbors. He persisted. His "retail" business grew into an entertainment business, when the locals who "approved" and "imbibed" would gather for singalongs......more attention, more criticism, more hassle. Over the years, various laws changed....little by little, less hassle. His home brew is now legal, tasty and widely applauded. Today, this is the most popular spot in the area, drawing good entertainment every weekend and local entertainment most nights....the crowds are parked out on the highway because the "carpark" is always full!!!! Hence, his clever name.....Mussel Inn, which he did.....
Ain't nothin' fancy at the Mussel Inn....but good beer, good talk, good entertainment and good fun!
The bartended, wearing a shirt of Tom's favorite beer...Captain Cooker.....note the five varieties of Mussel Inn's brew.
And the food is NOT your typical bar food....top is salmon and bottom is local fish, gurnard.
