An overnight ride to Haast, South Westland. 465km

-
This week we responded to the call of Haast on the west coast of the South Island and set off on a planned ride with John and Cath.  

Dick's usual good planning brought us a wonderful ride in glorious weather.
A wonderful ride with friends, Cath and john.
Its the first time we have ridden with company for a long time.
Am thinking of rides with Radioman and Ken and Shirley.

While the rest of NZ seemed to be facing thunderstorms we enjoyed warm and dry conditions.
The recent lack of rain in southern Westland meant that the breeding patterns of sandflies and mosquitos  had been interrupted.  We encountered none.

Whitebait patties, salmon and venison for dinner at Haast.  Plenty of conversation.
Photos of the Haast road builders at work helped us appreciate the road we had just ridden along.  Bridges built, rocky bluffs blasted, and lives lost.

Next day we rode to Jackson Bay.
Whitebait stands have been raised at season's end.
Crayfish pots are stacked ready for next year.

A day of blue.
Turquoise rivers looked docile. They can unleash torrents in flood.
Tasman sea  gently lapping the beach fronts.
The sky an azure blue. More blue than the roof of the Cray Pot Cafe.

We shared the road on the ride home with lots of touring motorcyclists.
A great day for a ride.

 Lake Hayes,  Amisfield vineyard.
Along the shores of Lake Hawea
... and Lake Wanaka


Up the Makarora Valley
...to the gates of Haast
The Haast river relaxes at the foot of the valley
The sun sets at the end of a lovely day.  

A very good breakfast at the Prickly Gorse Cafe at Haast.
 Whitebaitseason is over... the stands have been raised.

 Jackson bay around the corner.
Photo: Cath Gilmour
While Dick and John are doing what all motorcycle riders do best Cath and I go exploring.

We muse on who might have lived here.
A 20 minute walk takes us all to Wharekai-Te Kou, the ocean beach
 Homeward Bound.



 The Clutha River near Hawea.

As we leave Wanaka we follow a group of 12 BMW riders up the Cardrona Valley.  
The brief light drizzle cools us down as we head over the Crown Range for home.


Comments

June S said…
What a great post, Diana. You are a wonderful ambassador
4 December 2017 at 06:31
Unknown said…
HI there Diana , Grant here ,back home now and just looked at your blog . Your pictures are amazing and should encourage even a rusty motorcyclist out onto the road . Was great to meet you and will keep an eye on your blog . Have fun and take care from Grant .🏍
8 January 2018 at 13:08
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Homeward bound: Picton to Queenstown, New Zealand. 875km, 11.5°C-22°C

-
Image
We saved the best for last. The longest distance we have ever ridden two up in one day. From Marlborough's Wairau Valley vineyards... To lake Rotoiti And the forest-clad hills  That accompany us south and to the west coast. Coffee stop at the Beeches in Murchison Awesome pies for lunch in Hokitika Whitebait fritters at the Paringa Salmon Farm. So good to be on familiar roads, So close to home We decide to make a run for Queenstown while the sun is still shining. Through the Gates of Haast Over the Haast Pass To the warmth of Central Otago at Makarora Along the shorelines of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea Through the early evening golden light  Etching patterns on slopes of the Crown Range. Home to Te Komata  Our house on the hill Which welcomes us with open arms. We are truly blessed to live in this part  of the world. Vineyards spread across the Wairau Valley. Home of Marlborough wines.   Lake Rotoiti - high water this summer. Beyond lake Rotoiti ...
Read more

Ngorogoro Crater

-
Image
Ngorogoro Crater formed 2.5million years ago after a volcanic eruption. The crater is about 19km in diameter and has steep sides. The road descending into the crater is definitely a 4WD road. Steep and rugged. The floor of the crater has lakes which provide water for animals year round. There is a resident population of wildebeest and zebra, buffalo, zebra, many hyena, lions and birds. While we were visiting the area the skies were magnificently moody. The crater is around 2300m altitude so it was pleasantly cool. Short grass necessitates knee bending for the warthog whilst feeding. One of the many hyena cooling off. A weaver bird.  There were lots of weaver bird nests in the trees. Some birds were on the winge carrying straw to their nests. The superb starling. A contented wildebeest Plenty of lions on the prowl. Weaver bird nests Zebra galore  Lions having breakfast on a freshly killed buffalo. Getting around by Caravan 
Read more