An Ambling Drive to Greymouth

The weather had cleared by this morning and we had sun with our breakfast.  The rays from the golden orb together with a slight breeze provide an opportunity for the shoes to be put outside, thereby helping progress the drying out process. They have been well used on this trip - various holes - in the toes; on the side; and underneath plus webbing still covered with mud means shoes need a serious clean and disinfect or they won't let us in to Australia.

A relaxed drive back down the coast after a wiggly crossing over Karamea Bluff (420m) again (in the sun this time).  

The driver has a pair of sandals on and the passenger bare feet. 

Eric just travels in style.

Return past all the lovely beaches bathed in sunshine, although it is apparently not safe to swim at any of them. The Tasman Sea was dumping some very large 'rollers' onto the beaches whilst also breaking a long way out. 

It doesn't look very sunny here but it was!

Another stop at Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole was a good idea for stretching the legs. 

We've been here before haven't we?

Looking out to see from the Pancake Rocks area.

The Surge Pool.

Looking a bit grey down the coast, but seems to have been clearing as we travel along.

Pancake Rocks that look a little like giants with part of their heads missing.

A good swell running.

This time the Blowhole was actually spouting water, even though the tide was further out than last time. Not big enough to get the people watching wet though. 

Reach Greymouth just as the TranzAlpine train arrived and the place is heaving with the new arrivals hiring cars and looking for local info at the visitor centre. It's time for a spot of late lunch and we consider a visit to the Warehouse store for some replacement footwear (recommended by Bill for good value). Two pairs of cheap but clean and dry trainers later we check into the motel. Then off to sample the delights of Greymouth shops, spending some spare NZ dollars in the Tourist Information shop.  A short walk looping along the harbour protection wall brings us to the centre of the metropolis of Greymouth.  It is about 3:30pm on a Saturday afternoon and nearly all the shops appear to be shut! Like Builth Wells waiting for the Royal Welsh Show, does Greymouth only exist as a living and breathing town at the times when the TranzAlpine train chugs in?  

Greymouth Main Street @ 3:30pm Saturday. It was even quieter in the other direction. 

Of course, if there's a beach then we have to go and see it.  By this time Greymouth is grey and the swell is pounding in along the breakwater and a lot of white horses in the sea.  

Looking back toward Greymouth from one of the harbour breakwaters the water looks fairly calm.

But there were quite large waves.

Would want to use this slipway today!

Eric makes sure he's safe by lodging himself in the fence. 

We decide to eat out this evening and go to Speights Brewery bar and restaurant, as recommended by the the receptionist at the motel. A venison pie goes down well with a rather odd accompaniment of kumara chips. Kumara is the sweet potato the Maori brought with them to NZ. The veggie burger is less well liked as it mostly contains vegetables, but it filled a gap and tea back at our room was welcome before we wrote up this blog post.