Farewell to Cape Farewell and Golden Bay

Sort out our own breakfast again today - this is getting a drag we'll have to employ an "au pair" when we get home! I even had to do the washing up. 

On the road back South we make a stop at Te Waikoropupu Springs, otherwise known as Pupu Springs. It is a very sacred place to the Maori and there are signs telling you not to come in contact with the water. Also some very colourful information, both about Maori stories and the science of the springs.

Start of the walkway at Pupu Springs.

 

The sciencey bit interpretive panel. 

Eric is not fluent in Maori yet, so is not able to read the sign.

Are we nearly there yet? Not quite Eric.

Now we are. Eric is mesmerised by the magical mystical Pupu Springs.

This is a fantastic place and we both said almost in unison that we could stay here for hours. It is helped by the fact that we are the only ones here. Water is welling up from vents beneath the river and also salt sea water is being drawn into what is predominantly a freshwater river. 

The clarity of the water is amazing and also the colours of the plants.   

This is looking into the springs through the water from where Eric was sitting.   

This is coupled with a veritable cabaret of Grey and Mallard Duck chicks that are whizzing around chasing and jumping for insects. They look like fluffy whirligig beetles. It's hard to believe they can move as fast as they do. Here's a few still photos but just wait till we show you the video. 

Tearing ourselves away we carry on toward Blenheim. Back up and over the Takaka Range. We could put more photos here of everything you saw earlier but in the other direction only that would be silly. 

Well OK we had to put in one!

As we missed two scenic routes on the way up we thought we would take these in on the way back. First along the Ruby Coast, stopping for drink and some grapes on the beach.

Eric missed hitting the pole with his first stone throw; he's hoping to manage it this time.

Next scenic route is along Queen Charlotte Drive - it actually goes back to Picton where we landed on the ferry from Wellington. Some views of Queen Charlotte Sound from along the way.

Eric was being lazy and just enjoyed the view from the car.

This looks like a good place to stop for a picnic lunch.

Arrive just above Picton. 

Wow that's a lot of of matchsticks in the making.

Eric views the ferry port just around the corner from the wood piles.

Arrive at B&B...just look at that Wisteria.

 Greeted by two dogs, a black lab called Paddy and a Rhodesian Ridgeback called Flynn. 

Out for another trip to view the local area.

Eric at Rarangi Beach. 

The shingle piles are moving along the beach through longshore drift, so the beach is growing all the time.

Then back to Blenheim for dinner overlooking the river.

Eric discussing with the Beavers why they are on the wrong continent. All to do with early settlers and swampy land apparently.

 

This tree actually looked like a pineapple at the top.

And so to bed ... Waking in the night to some scrabbally noises and tapping ... Rather worrying, but still wake up in the morning in one piece!