To Motueka and the Rosenbergs

Gorgeous morning on Cape Foulwind…and we were off to Westport. A good stop for internet at the library and on to the pier…where Eric and his dad cast for fish and eels ‘when he was a lad’. A walkabout town and off to the high hills.

Gold and coal brought early wealth to New Zealand’s west coast…and we headed to a picnic at the site of the Denniston coal mine and its loading stations – last used fifty years ago. Traaces of ‘hard lives’ were everywhere. Miners worked high above and coal cars were loaded on down hill.tracks. Imagine the hydraulic brakes needed for safety. The winter weather must have been horrific and conditions in the small settlement were too dangeoous for the school inspector to venture up the track.

An afternoon walk along Cape Foulwind was the perfect balance. Stopping at outlooks to check out beaches, seals, and the lighthouse, we walked along coastal cliffs. Dinner at the Bay Café capped a wonderful day.

Next morning we were off to Motueka and the Rosenbergs – due to arrive on the Naked Bus. We drove inland by the Buller River…and stopped at the longest swing bridge in New Zealand. Marianne, Willi and Eric sprinted across but there was too much swing for H.

Arriving at Motueka we checked into our apartment and checked out the Rosenberg’s arrival time. They traveled north from Christchurch on the Naked Bus – an actual company that drives (clothed passengers) along the Pacific coastline to Nelson and Picton. We picked them up at Motueka. What a trip they had had. Their busdriver, unloading luggage, had tripped and fallen backwards off the bus. Badly injured, he was taken by ambulance to the local hospital…while bus drivers – from competing companies – stepped in to help the passengers. In contrast, the Rosenbergs had traveled from Middlebury, Washington DC, Istanbul Canberra, and Christchurch without a glitch. It was very good to see them and to have the three Smithies together.

A barbecue by Tasman Bay was an easy end to the day. The next morning, Marianne and Willi rented bicycles to head on a 40 km trek in the hills. Jean and Helen tramped into town to find the market (okay, we got a little lost along the way)…and Eric and David extended the local explores. Green lipped mussels and salmon before sunset – life is good!

Saturday morning, Marianne and Willi took kayaks out in the bay for an explore and David and Eric cast for fish directly in front of the apartment. It’s easy to make use of the long hours of sunshine.