More Moeraki Boulders...

Monday 19 May

Cruisy morning at Old Bones - beautiful dawn and after breakfast Louis & Jez set off on a bike ride into Oamaru & found the mountain bike trails.

The blue skies and sunshine made quite a change from Sunday's grim greyness and the guys had an absolute blast.

I attempted to take Harley for a walk on the beach - but got chatting to Chester and his mum who were staying at Old Bones too; as with so many people we meet traveling, health has been a big issue for them - he sold up his business 12 years ago when the doctors advised he may one have 6 months to live, and now he is about to celebrate his 80th at the end of the month; she was shocked last year to have a stroke and then a heart attack, when her health had not previously been in question - these tales are always a reminder of why we are seizing the day and traveling now before it is too late. Speaking of the munted - Louis & Jez rocked up on their bikes to say hi and by the time Harley and I hit the beach the tide was so far in there was not much beach left to walk on… doh! We went a few hundred metres along to the south then turned and retraced our footprints and pawprints - but at least it was lovely being out there!

Packed up, entertained a visit from Ted who was halfheartedly interested, but more keen to chase invisible foe in the garden & then we left along what is left of Beach Road and then veered inland to pick up SH1 heading south through the brilliantly named "Herbert".

We stopped at the Moeraki Boulders as Abby & Jez had not been there before. We arrived just after a group of Asian tourists, but then they left and we had the beach to ourselves. The boulders are eternally fascinating in their make up and their longevity.

Back at the carpark we said hello to a very rotund Kune kune pig (Harley was absolutely fascinated) then made salad for lunch in the van - Day One on the keto/IF diet for 3 of us so only Louis had a pie! 🥧

Arrived in Dunedin as it was getting dark, having negotiated some tricky steep roads - both up & down.

Parked up at the NZMCA site which was surprisingly full, and settled in for dinner which was pretty dietary (pork chops, kale & leek with cream and steamed broccoli). So far so good but sad I don’t have scales to track my weight loss (or lack there of!)