We didn't get far though before something caught my eye...
Actually, Johann had told us previously about the legendary Sheffield pie shop. It was fab, and I had my first Cornish pasty in 9 months! It was actually a pretty darn good example as well, with good quality meat and nice chunky veg. Clairy even tried a veggy example, but I doubt that was as nice.
Across the road from the pie shop, the snow capped southern Alps looming in the distance.
The road got steeper as we headed up to Arthur's path.
Oh hi! Our nice little car just seconds before I pretended to drive away. Ahhh...that's a joke that NEVER stops being funny.
We stopped briefly at a point of interest known as Castle Hill. There were some huge rock formations that had been weathered into interesting shapes.
A huge flat valley basin.
With us in it! Lovely bit of sunshine as well, which we had been warned would probably disappear as soon as we hit the west coast and its non stop rain.
New Zealand is covered in single lane bridges requiring some rather excessive braking if you're not paying attention. They do also often offer rather gorgeous views, though its definitely not the safest place to stop for a sight-see. This doesn't normally put Clairy off though, who still insists we stop. I have to admit this one was particularly gorgeous.
On both sides.
It was maybe 4 hours or so before we reached the west coast and sure enough it was a little drizzly. Our plan was to find somewhere fairly near the knife making place at Barrytown. We stopped in at the appropriately named Greymouth, and chatted to a very helpful lady at the tourist information office. She pointed us towards the Punakaiki Beach Campsite as a pretty nice place for our needs just north of Barrytown and we duly headed on up the coast.
The road gives some pretty epic views on the way.
Just pokin my nose out...
Lots of bluffs on this bit of coast (we're still not sure exactly what it means either). I think this is 6 mile bluff.
And here we are at the very pleasant campsite (apart from the sandflies...sure we'll get used to them). The huge rocky edifice behind was a real sight.
We soon noticed that there was a curious presence in the campsite. This little fella was happily getting into all the detritus from the messy surfer lads camping next door to us, and was just at home scratching around in the bushes for grubs. We later found out that he was a Weka, another New Zealand native.
The beach was pretty, but not quite the South Pacific (will anything ever be as nice again?). Clairy took this shot...Nice reflection.
Its sunny somewhere out in the Tasman Sea!
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