8 Oct: Changing Plans

Right, we said we'd be in a DOC campground in the mountains. But soon after posting that we got the morning paper and read a dire weather forecast about how the "classic conditions for a heavy snowfall" were developing, with up to 30cm of snow in the central alps and snow down to the 300m level in many areas.

So we settled for just getting back over the Takaka hill (which was closed for snow just a week ago) to Motueka (moe too eh ca) near Nelson—sea level. On the way we had two nice outings that produced a few pics.

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When we first got up there was a rainbow over the estuary, right across the tummy of the "sleeping woman" mountain.

Waikorupupu Springs

That's wye ko roo poo poo. Go ahead, be juvenile and make fun of the names. But would you rather live in the town of Onekaka (oh neh ka ka) or in Pukepuke (not what you said at first; it's poo keh poo keh)? Real estate is very reasonable in both...

Anyway, this is where, owing to the geology of the surrounding mountains, huge quantities of crystalline water bubble up from numerous vents to make a lake and streams. "Largest natural spring in Australasia" is the claim. The area around it was reduced to cobblestones by placer miners in the 1852 gold rush (this is where the 49ers went when California was worked out) and now is a regenerating forest. There were interesting interpretive signs pointing out the different stages of regrowth of a native forest.

Here's the water from one vent.

Here's the main pond. Observe upwelling in the center.

That structure on the left is a periscope that gives you a subsurface view of how clear the water is.

The Grove

The other place we stopped is called The Grove. It's an old-growth forest full of gnarled trees growing on equally gnarled eroded limestone. The centerpiece is a narrow slot canyon ending in a balcony viewpoint.

It's gnarly, man.

This place would be a perfect location for a cheesy jungle movie.

The balcony at the end of the slot.

The view, with Farewell Spit on the horizon.

You can't really see it in the picture, but to the eye, the grove of trees around the lighthouse at the end of Farewell Spit was perceptible. Here it is, blown up and contrast-enhanced.

Well, it was clear to the eye.

In the afternoon, the Weather Service issued warnings that the road over Takaka Hill might be closed by snow, so we hurried out of the valley and over the hill. The rain started soon after and it rained all night and is still raining steady and hard at 9am Friday. So we have opted to stay here in Motueka for the day. Marian is mapping out a tour of local wineries (Hi, Glenn! Yes! It's Marlboro district!) and craft shops.