The morning brings sore heads and goodbyes to our friends.

Leaving Ross we travel through valleys around mountains and as ever are bombarded with beautiful scenery.

When God gave out the scenery he gave New Zealand an unfair share.

Onwards along the coast we pass Greymouth, Rapahoe and Baarrytown and travel along the coast and continue north till we come to the Pancake rocks at Punakaika.

These are ocean stacks and arches that are made up of two components that wear at different rates giving a pancake appearance.

This is a popular tourist destination and there is a cafe beside them. Good place for lunch if a tad busy.

There is a walk round the rock formations and though interesting they soon get very same. Still it gets us out of the van and stretches the legs.

 

More importantly I find the name for the plant that I had named the trifid is in fact, New Zealand Flax , Harakeke in Mouri.

After a short dander round the rocks with all the other tourists we move on to the Nelson lakes and Lake Rotoiti in particular.

 

The lake is beautiful in the evening sun nestled among the mountains with a cold beer.

We stay at the local Reserve campsite. Tucked away in the forest this is quiet and peaceful. The parks department campsites are always good and though not free are usually only 10 New Zealand dollars a night.