Not enough computer time to write today. We will try to catch up later. It was a longer driving day from Nelson to Charleston on the west coast. We had hoped to get down to Punakaiki and back to Charleston, but weather was not cooperating.
On our way from Nelson to Charleston, on the west coast of the south island, through the mountains, we stopped for lunch near Lyell. It was a spot that was a take-off spot for a number of trails through the forest.
These pesky, flightless Weka birds have learned that picnickers often drop food. About the size of chickens, one of them even tried to follow me into the car.
The trail guide includes trails that take several days to make all their way to the coast including elevation changes and other details.
The start of one of the routes crosses this suspension bridge. Such bridges make some people nervous.
This river ran below the bridge about sixty feet down. I didn't spot any fish.
We first saw the ocean on the west coast at a point called
Cape Foulwind. A storm was coming in. We were up on the bluffs and since it was coming up heavy weather, we decided not take the trek down and back 200 vertical feet.
We finally made it to our rental in Charleston and while the weather held, conversations and ukulele music happened out the ocean side of the motel.
The storm was coming. Instead of bread and cheese out of a sack, we decided to go next door to the Charleston Tavern. They had good beer, a pool table, and a reasonable menu. We had Bangers and Mash as well as Fish and Chips. It was good.