Heading south . . .

This morning took us into mountain country, and roads not for the light-hearted. Saddle-backs to climb, and river gorges to sink into. And bends in rivers. Not just a bend in any river, but the Buller River. Terrain dictates as usual, the river doing a 360 around the hill . . .



. . . .but the road has no place else to go, except into the hill, at Hawks Crag.





Our road took us through Westport and Carters Beach on the Tasman Sea – what better place for a cappuccino.



Then onto the so-spectacular West Coast – which just demands to be photographed at every bend in the road.



High tourist season denied us a bed for the night until Punakaiki, where we found the eco-friendly Punakaiki Lodge, located right on the beach – and a beach with sunsets ‘par excellance’





Just up the road – Pancake Rocks – a Jurassic formation of limestone that has defied waves and wind for milleniums – but is gradually wearing away. Well, not in our lifetime perhaps.





Oh dear, Jeannette, do the next couple of pics of a massive tidal blow-hole ring a bell ?? (couldn't resist taking these - sorry Serge)





Together at last . . . . courtesy of fellow travellers . . . . all appreciating the views.