Day 22 February 23rd Pancake Rocks and Westport

 

clouds below hill summits

relics of time

Today started overcast with some of the clouds lower than the surrounding hills which are about 1500m high.  We had planned today before we left home and we hoped it would go to plan as we were visiting some of the west coast of the south island.  We went to start the car and found that the battery was flat and we learnt that an interior light had been left on!  Luckily there is a garage opposite and the owner brought a battery  and jump leads across and we were soon going although a little delayed.  We headed  south towards Greymouth and passed through dairy, timber and mining country.  The mining has almost ceased but some farsighted people are preserving some of the old engines etc.  In a layby was an engine originally used in timber hauling and which is the only example of its type left.


Chris & pancake rocks

pancake rocks

After getting to the outskirts of Greymouth we headed north along the coast which is very different to the north coast of the island.  This has more wind with rollers and cliffs along the shore.  One unique feature are the "Pancake Rocks" at Punakaiki and at the moment noone knows how these rocks were formed but they do make quite a spectacle. 

After spending some time admiring and 

Cape Foulwind Lighthouse

photographing the rocks we picnicked and then journeyed on up the coast which did include some small sandy bays with rollers coming in.  We carried on to Westport, a town which did not impress us although we did have a welcome cup of tea.  We decided to visit the nearby Lighthouse at Cape Foulwind (no comments please) and by this time the sky had cleared and the rest of the day was bright sunshine.  It was now time to head east and then south back to Reefton.  We went east along the River Buller and the road followed up the valley. We then headed south along open roads which largely followed the railway line built for mining.  We had to stop at one level crossing to allow what we think was a coal train to pass through.  We got back safely and have enjoyed locally cooked fish and chips as a takeaway for supper tonight.

coal train