She was a pretty big day today. We awoke early (sunrise 5.50am) \240to another stunner and some newly dusty caps on mountains South of Hanmer. Tony already back from an early crisp run. He then came and walked with Rocco & down the Dog Stream reserve next to the babbling water. \240So beautiful and pleasant and especially seeing all the gorgeous fairy houses out there by kids from the local school - maybe a covid project? Cute doors that opened with surprises inside. Had to run back and get Priya who delighted in it, opening every door and many a giggle. Can’t beat an early walk in the bush.p

Packed up and moving out bound for a Reefton look see. Just beautiful sprawling river braids which we only really know from Queenstown but around every corner down here following the snaking Inangahua River west.

Stopped in Reefton for lunch - like stepping back in time that place! Old buildings, refreshed fascades of the past, even the odd wiley, bedraggled coot with their worn olehats. Best fish chips pies and shakes ever said the kids. Loved seeing the old Reefton distillery, a smallish shop with the distillery right on site. After leaving Reefton we paused at Cronadun, of significance because Tony’s great grandfather had lived there as a farmer. A tiny community and it was special to see Bryan Mcmahon’s name on the community list with only a handful of others’ names there.

Onwards to Westport - windy but still blazing fine. A similar size to say Te Kuiti - such old towns, we definitely feel far from home. \240Zipped out to see the Cape Foulwimd lighthouse and have a wee trot up and round it. Neat to read the old stories about it and walk on the ruined site of the original - the replaced and more modern one now stands there.

Next and nearly last stop of the day - kids have been mostly amazing given numerous stops, many disembarks and aboards all day long, now beginning to wear thin 😬 The Tauranga Bay Seal colony was pretty cool. . A lovely winding and elevated path leads to the main viewing area, several huge and sprawling rocks. We saw not just many seals but their cute as and quite recent pups. A light jog back the to Shelly and 50mins due south for famous Punakaiki pancake 🥞 rocks. \240A stunning display of nature doing its thing - I was a bit bummed that scientists still haven’t exactly figured out how the layers are formed so neatly. \240Very reminiscent of Great Ocean Rd in Victoria and the 12 apostles area. Large stacked, happy and irregularly shaped rocks - what do you see? PS The whole area is kept so well, few tourists.

And finally for the day onto McMillans Beach Camp (freedom) - right off the beach. Just the business !!!! A fab stay from beginning to end. Freezing cold swims, delicious bbq chicken dinner and late night walks in the beach to visit the fisherman and their bonfires. Falling into bed travel-tired with a smile on my face and salt & smoke in my hair - holiday bliss 💚

Kids’ Daily Questions:

1. What’s your favourite thing you did today?

2. What thing did you love seeing?

3. What was your fave food today?

RASUL

• Skimming stones on McMillan Beach
• Tauranga Bay seal colony
• Best chicken burger & Jaffa thickshake in Reefton

ROCCO

• McMillans Beach - hanging with the fisherman late on the beach and stoking the bonfire

• Seeing and touching a rig shark (no camera moment)

• Fish, chips & mussels in Reefton

PRIYA:

• Swimming with mum & dad at freezing McMillans beach at our camp.

• The fairy houses in Hanmer forest.

• Dinner (I loved the coleslaw)

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Waking up in chilly Hanmer 4 degrees