Hector
The new insect repellent apparently attracts rather than repels sand flies - the red blotches are merging into one huge itchfest. Time for the ‘West Coast Remedy’ - baby oil and dettol in equal proportions is allegedly effective - not sure if that’s a human or bug deterrent.
The robins here are very tame and friendly but not red breasted - wouldn’t look the same on a Christmas card!
The valley’s signature sight is the 200m long, 37m high Operara limestone arch.
Apparently it was a bit steep coming back down..
We also did a loop walk over Moria Gate Arch, sadly no sign of the advertised blue duck.
We had a yummy seafood basket and craft beer at ‘Last Resort’ in Karamea which really does feel like the start of the middle of nowhere. Again I would have loved to stay longer and hiked the very remote Old Ghost Road or the Heaphy Track, but we move on again tomorrow. The rain has arrived as it often does on the West Coast, so the photos tomorrow may be a bit grey!
Meanwhile, our lovely host David recommended a trip up to the Oparara Basin, a hidden valley in the wilderness of Kahurangi National Park. It was a beautiful drive up the north coastline then a rough, winding 16km bone shaking drive to the trailhead.
We then walked through a thick forest of massive, moss laden trees and beautiful ferns.
The robins here are very tame and friendly but not red breasted - wouldn’t look the same on a Christmas card!
The valley’s signature sight is the 200m long, 37m high Operara limestone arch.
Apparently it was a bit steep coming back down..
We also did a loop walk over Moria Gate Arch, sadly no sign of the advertised blue duck.
We had a yummy seafood basket and craft beer at ‘Last Resort’ in Karamea which really does feel like the start of the middle of nowhere. Again I would have loved to stay longer and hiked the very remote Old Ghost Road or the Heaphy Track, but we move on again tomorrow. The rain has arrived as it often does on the West Coast, so the photos tomorrow may be a bit grey!
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