A visit to the South Wairarapa seemed like a very good idea.
Each fishing boat in Ngawi has its own bulldozer for launching purposes
Weather wise, it was a gamble with the forecast suggesting it could go either way. Sure enough, it did. We went over the hill and down through Martinborough, and Pirinoa until we were on the road towards Cape Palliser. Near the end of the road is the little fishing village of Ngawi. This is where all the old bulldozers come to die. Actually, they are put into service pushing and pulling the big crudely welded launching cradles for the fishing boats down, and back up the steep shingle beach in any weather.
Mary and Paul descent from the lighthouse.
We went as far as the Cape Palliser Lighthouse where Mary and her brother Paul climbed the 253 steps yo the top. I heroically volunteered to stay at the bottom to get a photographic record of their attainment. In this image they have just started the descent.
Amazing eyes
We ate our lunch near the seal nursery and enjoyed the company of a large number of soulful New Zealand fur seal pups with the biggest most liquid eyes imaginable.
Kupe’s sail
From our chosen spot, despite the intermittent rain we had a good view of “Kupe’s Sail” an extraordinary sandstone outcrop near the tiny settlement of Mangatoetoe. From this angle, the layers are visible. From the West, the huge triangular sail is visible.
South Wairarapa in the rain
On the return journey we took the road through Kahutara to the East of Lake Wairarapa. It is lovely pastoral landscape, and in the odd lighting with the Rimutaka range as a backdrop, it was very dramatic in places.
Over the hill
From there we passed through Featherston, and into some dreary weather for the remainder of the journey home.
That’s all for today.
I applaud your valor, and good sense, in the arduous task you took upon yourself while othrers frolicked on the lghthouse ladder, 😉