Karamea bound first stop was by the river at Little Whanganui. A perfect spot to practice some music and watch life go by my window
A fine hard grassy area to park secluded from the local houses
was put to good use!
Hmm looks like getting back on the tar seal had it’s moments.
Cafe time in Karamea on St Patricks day
Paul Frances Drake has a gallery mainly with abstract paintings in Karamea,
And we had a good chat!
As this message on the gallery wall hints at.
A few houses down the street is another unique individual
I presume...I know no more tho!
I went for a lovely walk around the estuary taking photos, admiring the views
However I also knew this day was an Americas Cup race day,
With NZ in the box seat and a good cell phone signal on my phone..
So I sat on a log to watch the race.
And what a great race it was.
New Zealand sealed the series
Did not put a foot wrong
Increasing their lead to the finish line
Now back to the bush....
I took the bus into the Oparara arches car park late in the day as the road is narrow
And could get walking some of the tracks before dark and the next day.
Weather was perfect
Mirror tarn I checked out in the evening and the next day
as it was a very short walk
Rocks and reflections in the tannin coloured water
I took my soprano carrying tube into the Mirror Tarn
The Toutouwai’s (New Zealand Robin) are incredibly friendly and tame.
Their population is in decline, tho not in any danger!
This is the Oparara arch, quite huge and not accessible to mere humans.
Another cave around the corner called the Box canyon.
Large but soon becomes very dark,
needing a torch to get to its end and back to daylight
This is the entrance or exit to the crazy paving cave
Back out in the light the super friendly Toutouwai visits again
About to have a peck at my brightly coloured socks
This is the last and my favourite Arch I visited.
The Moria Gate Arch
After the caves the bush becomes even greener
I’m pretty sure this is not the same Robin following me around
Back at the car park the well done history and information boards
Tells many stories
Below the manager used to sharpen theses blades every day at lunch time.
I wonder how he easily sharpened the top blade?
New Zealand is Paradise, I’m blessed to be able to wander around, take in its ambience and show you some of its beauty.
More to follow in the next blog, more of the same, but different,
Till then Stay safe, have fun and be creative
Jimu & Christine
Bootifull, I think some of the photos might be upside down, but it could be the world ..
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