February 6 Greymouth

 Greymouth was grey this morning, overcast with some light rain. We drove down to the beach which was covered in mostly grey rocks rounded by th pounding waves and littered with driftwood of various sizes,

Someone had built a house on the beach made from driftwood. Beautifully constructed, though not much shelter from the wind or rain. It was clearly a popular meeting place though, decked out with timber seating around a fireplace that appeared to have been used not long ago.

Looking east down the river.

February 4-5

 We’re, off for four weeks travelling around New Zealand with our friends Greg and Sharon. After a delayed start in Melbourne we arrived in Christchurch and picked up our hire cars to drive west for an hour or so to Darfield, a small town not far from Christ church. The next day we crossed the mountain range via Arthur’s Pass, named after Arthur Dudley Dobson, the explorer who discovered it, arriving in Greymouth early afternoon,

Mist covered mountains not far from Darfield

Castle Hill is a collection cultural location for the local Maori people 

We c stopped at Arthur's Pass fir lunch. There were several signs warning us to watch our for the Keas, the mountain parrots that love to steal food off people's plates.  We saw one swoop down and steal a small butter segment while we were there. 

Kea hoping for a Fitbit

A small waterfall a short walk from the road at Arthur's Pass. Note the crystal clear water.