Barbara's travels continue 2018

The weather forecast for the entire trip was certainly not encouraging but we were unbelievably lucky to have fine weather whenever we wanted to get out, walk and see the sights. Driving conditions were certainly not at all pleasant, heavy rainfalls and often thick fog or sea mist. Thankfully, the roads were not so busy. There was a break in the rain at Cape Foulwind, one of my favourite places to observe seals. There seemed far fewer than usual but most of those there were mother and pup, very young pups. They are pretty well camouflaged, but certainly present in this photo. The next day we were amazed to awake to sun and clear skies which gave us the opportunity to go back a few kms to the lookout over typical West Coast coastline with its forested cliffs stretching down to the sea, and with beautiful sandy or pebble beaches with enticing, yet dangerous waters. What a fabulous vista. The picnic area opposite certainly has a view, but is definitely not for the faint-hearted. There wa

It has been more than two and a half decades since I last visited this unbelievable area in the far northwest corner of The South Island. It seems so far away from Christchurch and yet is only 6 hours away. I guess the fact that it is a dead-end road to Karamea put me off, but I will not be so foolish in future! It is paradise on earth!  The drive here, even in rain, heavy at times, is stunningly beautiful, as the mist hangs around the forest-clad  hills and the road weaves around overhanging cliffs adjacent to swollen rivers. The rain adds to this West Coast splendour, increasing the intensity of the  colour of the many shades of green of the native forest and the magnificent rata trees with their wonderful red flowers, nestled into the otherwise green foliage. The road from Westport to Karamea is a drive requiring extreme concentration as you cross the winding Karamea Bluffs, with forested hills on the one side and steep drops through forest to the sea on the other. The low mist pre