More NZ pics..

I thought it about time i added some different pics to my blog, of our recent trip to south island NZ..
words fail me(!!) to express what an amazing experience going to this place was..

the scenery is just ever changing.. and just when you think you have seen it all.. along comes yet more different scenery..




This pic was taken at the beach at Punaikaki rocks and Blow hole..
we didnt realise how close we were to the actual rocks area.. and we could have watched the spectacular sunset from there.. but we  ventured to the rocks the next day..

The weather and the tide were just right at mid day.. so we were able to see the sea at its angriest smashing into these odd pancake like rocks..


no one is really sure how or why the rocks formed in such a way...
but its very unusual..

as you can see the name pancake rocks is very apt, as the stone does actually look like layers and layers of pancakes!

This pic is taken looking towards the beach where the sunset picture was taken.. and also the campsite area where we stayed the night..



I can only imagine how Capt Cook felt when he chanced upon NZ all them many years ago...  as the shoreline is soo rugged.. very much like Cornwall to be honest.. just far more forested and impenetrable... its  sight from afar must have filled them all with complete wonderment!

 

I cant remember where this was taken exactly.. but we had stopped to get some fresh fruit, from one of them roadside stalls.. and the railway line was just there!!

 

This is lake Mathieson      

with the wind rippling the water..

 

                                             This is Lake Mathieson

                                             when the wind drops!
Mount Cook is on the Right and fox Glacier is on the left(i think)

I was amazed that you were able to do a Glacier walk if you wanted too...(and strangely.. I didnt!) It was always an added cost to do these things... and to be honest.. I dont do the cold.. and with my track record of slips and falls.. it was probably a wise decision to decline Steves offer.

As you can see the people on the walk look like tiny dots.. and the Ice was very dirty too
Nothing like you see in the movies!

AT LAST pics of NZ!

OK.. well its taken time but I can at last upload a few pics of the epic trek in New Zealands South island!

These are out lovely friends who live in Christchurch.. Caroline & Dave... It was (as i said before) brill to catch up with them again after about 10 years..

this picture was taken looking in the general direction of Lyttleton.. where the first settlers arrived!

it was very much like the wilds of Scotland.. just warmer and sunnier..

The pic with the thistles was taken overlooking Akaroha bay.. BEAUTIFUL.. especially on a sunny day, but sadly it was cloudy..
had some fantastic Blue cod & Chips here ... polished off with a Flat white (coffee) and a Blueberry Muffin..

(well we were on our holidays!!)

In Christchurch.. we found the Antigua Boat sheds... it was the best place to put your aching feet up.. and watch all them bonkers japanese tourists take out a paddle boat or row boat..

for me.,. i would have chosen a punting trip and let someone else do the work!!

I'm not keen on aquatic foibles.. so we just watched from the safety of the cafe!!!

well who wouldn't??

OK.. so can you guess what this is..
it was taken at Kaikoura..


i have to say seeing these furry things was one of the highlights of my trip..

they are just soo..CUTE & seem to be
sleepy ALL the time..

they used to be in danger of extinction .. but not any more.. thankfully.. we saw plenty of them..

They are..
New Zealand Fur seals (and please no jokes about going out clubbing!!)

They are sooo Big... bigger than I'd ever imagined..
and boy, i have to tell you.. they dont half smell a bit.. BUT i still think they are totally amazing creatures!

This was taken just outside Havelock...

Ive no idea why its there..
who started it..or WHY!!
BUT for a warped mind like mine.. it made me smile and i got plenty of B&W pics and i just found it intriguing..
Allegedly there IS also one with BRAS on a fence.. but we didn't see that!

ill post more pics later..

I am a bit sore at the mo.. as i had a fall (!!) earlier while at Bukit shahbandar..

I'm ok.. had a stitch in my knee (no anaesthetic either!!) and have hurt my left hand and have a bump on me head and a cut the bridge of my nose...
well it wasnt what id planned .. but hey.. at least me and my friend helen have an even stronger bond now.. after me nearly fainting on her!!!
more pics and waffle later x