Our camping spot was just as beautiful this morning as it was last night so we breakfasted here to enjoy it some more. Then it was decision time, visit the nature reserve recommended by the local or have a day sunbathing by the beach? A tricky one. With the whole day ahead of us we decided to drive the ‘tourist summit road’ for the views from the high ground then return to sea level for some sunbathing.
To reach the summit ridge we drove up the steep access road and at the top found a sign to the nature reserve. Only 1.25km. While we were so close it seemed foolish not to take a look. You can guess the rest - we ended up spending 3hrs tramping along the paths through the native bush and reading the many information boards; most of which cursed that imported weed the gorse bush (not one mention of the pretty yellow flowers that it brings to the green, green, green of the podocarp).
By the time we got back to the van it was gone 1400 and we were both hungry but wanted a change of scenery so drove along the tourist road until we found a viewpoint at which to take a late lunch. Hunger satisfied it was time for the sun so we returned to last night’s campsite, rolled out two towels, slipped into our swimwear and ahhhhh, laid in the sun. It was bright and sunny with just a slight breeze, perfect.
A long while and some cups of tea later the tide surreptitiously slid in across the very shallow bay and Glenn decided he really should go for a swim in NZ as, apart from his lightning dip at the Bay of Islands, he’d not been in. The shallow water that had been in the day’s sunshine was lovely. Seeing his enjoyment, and the fact he wasn’t leaping straight out, Yvonne also made her way in - a rare occurrence indeed. We both lazed around in the warm water for a while watching a local guy rig a net between two poles, wait awhile then collect dozens of small fish.
We had planned to go into Akoroa for a last meal out but as this spot is so idyllic we decided to eat the last of our food and dine out tomorrow. With lots of beer and wine left we drank a little more than usual, had a great dinner rejoiced in the setting sun and the glorious scenery and discussed the pros and cons of owning a home, or at least a holiday home, here (there is one for sale just up the road) - this really is a special place and we don’t want to leave.
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| What a marvellous view for breakfast. |
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| Akoroa is so lovely. |
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| Akorao harbour |
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| The wild life reserve - yes, we walked down to the valley on the right. |
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| View of Akoroa bay from the summit tourist ride. |
Gorgeous scenery here.
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