Wet and Windy out West

Saturday 25 January

From Jackson’s Retreat we headed on westward to the coast and then southbound to Hokitika.

It was grey and cloudy but we had a wander down to the beach where they were holding a Driftwood Sculptures Competition. Some of the creations were amazing… some less so! But everyone was encouraged to join in and there was plenty of raw material strewn along the high tide mark.

My favourites included the chunky wee ant eater who was "Full of Ants not Angst", the flying dragon and the dried agapanthus flower head made of driftwood and gull feathers. There was also a gorgeous area called Penguinville where you could purchase a 2metre square of "real estate" for a gold coin donation and construct a home for a blue penguin... there were some adorable houses and one brilliant penguin fish shop!

Back in town there were heaps of bikers and bikes everywhere but not much sign of rally action - probably because it was now pouring with rain! Hokitika has been rebranding over the last decade or so as a "Cool Little Town" and there were some lovely arty touches and galleries. We missed out on the Cool Little Market but I was lured into the Saffa shop and came out with some yummy biltong!

We pushed on south to the DOC camp at Lake Mahinapua which would have been lovely if the sun had shone! I went for a little wander by the lake in a rare dry moment and watched some mad teens jumping off the jetty and screaming as they became wrapped in the rather rampant water weeds of the lake! This used to be quite the place, with river access from the coast and a paddle steamer which took holiday makers up and down the lake. Chilled out, did a bit of blogging and had an early dinner & bed.