summer is with us for at least a day on this warm, sunny sunday morning
make the most of it so let's hit the road for a day and do some exploring
u2 / october on high volume and setting the celebratory mood of the day
first stop - shag point - some recent advice from a maf man re abalone
a rope assisted descent from the road to a large rock ledge at low tide
we are in the company of a relative expert in wet suit and snorkelling
good luck to him - we wander the pristine area and gape at the sights
a large sea slug being harassed by an equally large orange starfish
both being stalked by a hideous looking and slinky black octopus
the rock formations also stunning - large and round as per moeraki
in one large stone cracked open an elevated pool like an ancient spa
and clinging to the side of that just above water - woo-hoo - a live paua
who needs to snorkel - well us next time is the plan - but we leave happy
back in the car and push north towards oamaru and a right turn before then
drive a lazy 5km or so and arrive at the hitherto unexplored area of kakanui
first impressions - surprisingly large town - possibly retirement and/or holiday
not much action - a few children on bikes, the odd dog, but otherwise deserted
possibly due to there being an all black test in wales on tv at the same time
we park the car and clamber down on to the very wide and long beach
low tide still dominating and there's a few chaps with large nets spotted
strange - isn't whitebait a river fish - ah - spot the fresh water running in
their nets placed to catch the little critters trying to get upstream it seems
though not much action - possibly explaining the frosty attitude to tourists
we head to beach's end and go into rock-scrambling mode to the end point
very picturesque too - very bright green moss covering a large area of rocks
a huge pine tree now lying prone and ghost white after decades of surf attack
we scramble up to the cliff-top and admire the views across kakanui beach
lunch is a-calling so we then drive back down the coast road via all day bay
another very flat, very large, very deserted beach - though also a bit windy
the road comes out north of herbert and a new cafe discovered in town
vanessa's cottage cafe puts on a very tasty lunch of fresh fish (n chips)
cruise further south and call in to the award-winning blueskin nursery
a huge array of plants on offer of which one is screaming to be picked
cordyline indivisa - mountain cabbage tree or bush flax - we take it
it's a native palm promising rapid growth and creamy-lilac flowers
perfect for our front-yard and upon return it is then transplanted
which inspires more work on the continuing landscape project
that in turns works up a healthy appetite - paua and crab calls
wrapping up a brilliant day on a totally fabulous weekend
film - tick - music - tick - adventure - tick - garden - tick
food - tick, tick, tick, tick, etc - stunning as always...
