Crowds are not my favourite thing.
In the Takarau Gorge
Thus, when it came to going into town to join the throng celebrating the triumphant parade of the victorious All Blacks and/or the royal visit by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, I chose to go elsewhere. The day was near to perfect, pleasantly warm with little or no wind and clear skies. I chose to drive along the Takarau Gorge towards Makara. The Gorge is still recovering from the flooding back in May, and many of the roadside wire fences are still festooned with rotting weed draped there by the racing torrent. It’s a narrow road and the few places where parking is possible require a good walk to places that give the best views. I am suitably cautious and get on the other side of the barrier if a car approaches.
Getting close to West Wind
Up at the West Wind wind farm, I took a slow shot of the blades spinning. Because the breeze was so light, the turbines were really just drifting around.
The Mill Creek facility
At the crest of the hill, the view to the North takes in the newer “Mill Creek” wind farm where the 26 turbines add almost 60 megawatts to the national grid. If you look closely at the furthest hills, you will see that they are the Tararuas with some residual snow still gleaming.
More of the West Wind turbines
Behind me, 19 of the Northern-most turbines of the West Wind’s 62 turbine wind farmer were ticking over, except for the one that was undergoing maintenance.
Similar weather today, but more wind.
Can relate to you about crowds!