We tried to take advantage of this past weekend to get out and about to a few places nearby that we hadn’t yet visited. So, on Saturday we drove about an hour to Lyell where there’s a hiking trail to an old gold mine site. Lyell is also the start of the Old Ghost Road–a former gold mining path that has been converted to an 80 KM mountain biking track through the mountains with huts along the way.
After lunch in the misty rain, we set out on the hiking trail, first stopping at an old cemetery dating from 1870-1900. It’s fascinating to come upon a graveyard in the middle of the woods where trees have grown up around, and in some cases on top of, the graves.
When we finally made it to the gold mine site, we found an old hydro-powered “battery” that crushed gold-containing quartz coming out of the mine to release the gold particles. And we also found ourselves in a mountain downpour. It rained and it rained and it rained. Our raincoats kept us somewhat dry up top, but our lack of rain pants (they were safe and dry in the car) meant that our legs got soaked. Fortunately, a supply of Tim Tams kept everyone in good spirits and we hustled back to the trailhead in record time, wet but smiling.
Sunday brought sunny skies and a midday high tide so we figured we’d go south back to the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki and then to the caves at Fox River. The trip started out well with everyone in good spirits, but Rose became a victim of the winding NZ roads and lost her breakfast just before we got to our destination. Our voyage was interrupted by a significant clean-up operation that involved cleaning her only change of clothes in a large puddle. Fortunately, her fleece and rain pants were clean and dry in the back of the car. In true Rose style, she was smiling and laughing almost immediately after we got her into clean clothes.
This was our 3rd visit to the Rocks and definitely the best–you need an ideal combination of a rough sea and high tide to see the dramatic sea swells crash into the rock formation and blow holes. It was pretty impressive, although we’ll keep going back because it’s so fascinating.
Then it was back up the road to the mouth of the Fox River where each Sunday there’s a craft market. After a not-so-quick lunch that included a whitebait sandwich (there are only 2 weeks left in whitebait season so we need to take advantage while we can), we set off upriver into an impressive gorge.
Our ultimate destination was a pair of limestone caves about 3.5 km up river. The track was muddy in spots and Leah stepped out of her shoe several times on the way. Still, the kids cruised along the path and we made it all the way up to the caves for a chilly dark spelunk. Looking forward to more adventures, minus the spewing next time.
Such fun experiences with a bit of drama added in!!