Day 23- Westport
Before I do today’s blog I need to finish off the previous day’s post…
After leaving Reefton we returned to the Bach and had roast lambs sandwiches courtesy of a leg of lamb that had been roasting in the pizza oven while we were on our ride. The lamb sandwiches really hit the spot for lunch. I have a photo below of the lamb being taken from the oven.
The rest of the afternoon was spent resting apart from the tradition of planting a small tree to celebrate our trip to the Bach. I also took a photo of the tree we planted last year on the NZ trip…. It really has not grown much at all!
After dinner which was a lamb salad, it was off to bed at 9.30pm as we had another early start next morning.
Today we had a 5.30am wake up to the wonderful smell of bacon and eggs being prepared by Chris…. He really is a wonderful host!
After a great breakfast, it was pack up time for us all ahead of a car trip to Westport. The day was cloudy and cool and as we travelled to Westport the weather turned cool and drizzly. The trip by car was about an hour and a half on a good road.
Arriving at Westport it was into a coffee shop to have a cappuccino and cake. Given the weather we made a decision to do a shorter coastal ride called the Kawatiri Coastal Trail. It was about 35 kms along a good surface. Initially the weather was grim so we dressed accordingly but as the day wore on the weather improved to be sunny and in the low 20’s so the warm weather gear came off!
The trail was incredibly interesting with grey sandy surf beaches which looked quite inviting.
Along the route there were many quite nice homes on the beach with good views.
We stopped at an interesting seal colony and saw many seals responding the rocks while younger seals played in the water.
The trail ended at Westport at the mould the Buller River where there is quite a large port for fishing vessels. It also has the remains of a bigger port facility which was used to ship coal.
The days ride ended with a late lunch of a pie and sauce in a cafe.
Tonight we are staying in cabins at a caravan park which are very comfortable. The weather has turned quite cool again after the earlier warmth
Today’s ride was a pleasant trail ride on a good surface and I am feeling that my trail skills on the bike have improved somewhat. Tomorrow we do a section of the Old Ghost Trail which will be a test for me I am sure!
The pictures are a mixture of yesterday and today and I hope that you can understand them.
They are as follows:
Roasted lamb cooked in the pizza oven
Evening at the Bach
2 pictures celebrating the tree planting
Last year’s tree we planted… it is okay I think!
At the start of the trail today…. All rugged up!
Beach views at various locations along the route … 3 pictures
View of the fishing port and wharves at the mouth of the Buller River
Beacon on the groyne at the entrance to the Buller River with the Tasman Sea in the background
We riding on the trail
Today’s route
