Heading into the wind had the tail wagging the dog somewhat as the caravan bucked and yawedcausing the van to dance a bit. I used both lanes of the bridge at Waipara as the wind howling down the riverbed pushed us sideways. Fortunately no one was coming the other way right then.
Between Parnassus and Kaikoura the road climbs through hills. The hills and the bends don't bother me but the road surface is an absolute rodeo ride. It should be a national disgrace that they call this State Highway 1. Yes, the terrain is difficult but we are a first world country and capable of engineering a better road surface than that one. The word diabolical comes to mind.
Only one mug got thrown from a cupboard and broken.
Once out of the hills my little rig wallowed along the flat road of the Kaikoura Coast - wallow is the only word I can think of to describe the motion as we crested wave after wave on the carriageway.
The day was a scorcher and several times I contemplated calling it quits for the day - particularly when I saw someone swimming in a very refreshing looking lagoon at Peketa. However the wee van dragged us into Blenheim and I had a satisfactory night in a very pretty camping ground by a river where it passes under the SH1 bridge. Visually appealing, and clearly home to quite a few permanent caravans (judging from the well tended and productive veg gardens by each), the site suffered from the noise and light pollution of being so close to the highway but that reduced after 10pm.
Today is intermittent bright sun
and showers. I think I'm ready to start tackling the job of clearly gorse, bracken and blackberry from around where I have parked the caravan.
Next priority is to build my small shed cum outhouse (which will become home to a composting toilet....)
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I feel ya! I am grinning. You may have had gritted teeth, but I'm sure there's a bit of excitement too. Yup, as I sit here in the wee small hours with the waning moon glistening off the wind-whipped waters of the Clyde, cosy in my wee wheelie home, I welcome you to life in tin cans and nature! Steady as she goes... YAM xx
Home sweet home. Take lots of photos to look at in a few years time……when you are remembering how things were.
ReplyDeleteI take my hat off to you. I wouldn’t tow a van under perfect conditions let alone in strong winds
ReplyDeleteI’m eager to see your composting toilet. We have one at the farm which seems to be working perfectly.
Angela for some reason I can’t log into google in your comments.
An epic journey!
ReplyDeleteWhen we last followed that route, four years ago, the surface coming up to Kaikoura was bad....and masses of roadworks!
Is the Blenheim campsite still a Top 10?
Congratulations on arriving safely with only one mug casualty.
oh boy, a composting toilet.. you are amazing in all the things you can do, I would never even have attempted this trip that you completed safely and now on to the outhouse, that is what we call them.
ReplyDeletecan't wait for a photo of the new set up of your temporary home...
I am enjoying reading your new adventures in NZ.
ReplyDeleteYou have a pioneering spirit. Good luck with the clearing
ReplyDeleteMade it at last! Hope your permanent parking space is quiet??
ReplyDelete