Nats Epic Solo New Zealand Adventure
Have you ever had one of those days! Sunday was one of those days...
At the Penguin campsite they had a handy fresh water tap on each pitch so I thought perfect for filling up for the first time before leaving the site to head further south.
I get out the hose, attach to the tap and then open the water filler cap on the van, well, I try, turn, jiggle and twist but it won't open. It should be just like a petrol cap so easy!.... I re-watch the instructional video, try again and it still won't budge. I go in to full 'Damsel in distress mode' and patrol the camp site to find someone to help. Eventually I find someone, chivalry isn't dead, and begin to demonstrate all the things I have tried so I don't seem really useless. Blow me, the damn thing opens first time. Don't you just hate that!
Van filled and ready to go I start the engine and an alarm starts screaming. Check gears, handbrake and seat belt. Nope. Switch off and on again..... that usually works..... nope. I do a final check of the mirrors to check the sides of the van and the retractable step is not retracted..... once retracted the alarm magically stops.... I am finally on my way!
First stop is the Moeraki boulders which are huge boulders that sit on the beach looking just like dinosaur eggs.
On wards to Aramoana. The drive is spectacular and hair raising all at the same time. Gravel and shoreline hugging roads feature again. The reward, awesome views and heart palpitations. The sign optimistically said 70 km per hour but I was happy with a courageous 40!! I park up and go in search of the start of the Heyward Point Track....I am greeted with a sign 'Closed - Due to Lambing'.... bother. I console my self with a stroll along a beach that I have almost to my self watching the Pacific Ocean crash on to the sand. I see my first seal of the trip just chilling out on the beach.
As I get back to the van it starts to rain. Rain and more rain... this was now set in for the day so the rest of the afternoons activities are canned. It was time to retreat to a campsite, a cosy van, some photo editing and a cold beer.......
I wake early to gloomy skies and drizzle so sunrise at St. Clares beach is also a no go.... never mind....... Next stop is the Fiord lands! the part of the South Island itinerary I have most been looking forward too....
Natasha Robinson
13 chapters
16 Apr 2020
Chapter Eight - Boulders, Beach's and Bother
October 29, 2018
|
Dunedin
Have you ever had one of those days! Sunday was one of those days...
At the Penguin campsite they had a handy fresh water tap on each pitch so I thought perfect for filling up for the first time before leaving the site to head further south.
I get out the hose, attach to the tap and then open the water filler cap on the van, well, I try, turn, jiggle and twist but it won't open. It should be just like a petrol cap so easy!.... I re-watch the instructional video, try again and it still won't budge. I go in to full 'Damsel in distress mode' and patrol the camp site to find someone to help. Eventually I find someone, chivalry isn't dead, and begin to demonstrate all the things I have tried so I don't seem really useless. Blow me, the damn thing opens first time. Don't you just hate that!
Van filled and ready to go I start the engine and an alarm starts screaming. Check gears, handbrake and seat belt. Nope. Switch off and on again..... that usually works..... nope. I do a final check of the mirrors to check the sides of the van and the retractable step is not retracted..... once retracted the alarm magically stops.... I am finally on my way!
First stop is the Moeraki boulders which are huge boulders that sit on the beach looking just like dinosaur eggs.
On wards to Aramoana. The drive is spectacular and hair raising all at the same time. Gravel and shoreline hugging roads feature again. The reward, awesome views and heart palpitations. The sign optimistically said 70 km per hour but I was happy with a courageous 40!! I park up and go in search of the start of the Heyward Point Track....I am greeted with a sign 'Closed - Due to Lambing'.... bother. I console my self with a stroll along a beach that I have almost to my self watching the Pacific Ocean crash on to the sand. I see my first seal of the trip just chilling out on the beach.
As I get back to the van it starts to rain. Rain and more rain... this was now set in for the day so the rest of the afternoons activities are canned. It was time to retreat to a campsite, a cosy van, some photo editing and a cold beer.......
I wake early to gloomy skies and drizzle so sunrise at St. Clares beach is also a no go.... never mind....... Next stop is the Fiord lands! the part of the South Island itinerary I have most been looking forward too....
1.
Chapter One - The Beginning
2.
Chapter Two - Where to go?!
3.
Chapter Three - Its All Booked!
4.
Chapter Four - Refining the Route
5.
Chapter Five - 33 Sleeps!
6.
Chapter Six - In a Puff of Purple She’s Off
7.
Chapter Seven - Lakes, Mountains, Icebergs and Penguins
8.
Chapter Eight - Boulders, Beach's and Bother
9.
Chapter Nine - Land of the Dinosaurs
10.
Chapter Ten - Let the Adrenaline and Rain Flow!
11.
Chapter Eleven - Whales and Wellington Ahead
12.
Chapter Twelve - Gravel Roads, Geo-thermals and Glow worms
13.
Chapter Thirteen - Sunshine and Paradise Found
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