To Hamner Springs

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Tue 15 Jul 2014 22:47
To Hamner Springs Via the TransAlpine Triangle Route
 
 
 
 
 
IMG_4857
 
We got up to a beautiful morning in Kaikoura. Bear had to shoehorn me away.
 
 
DSC_5900  DSC_5902
 
We bade ‘farewell’ to the lovely people at the camp, crossed the road, filled up the empty gas cylinder, put diesel in Mabel and off we went. Passing the bay, then out towards the mountains on State Highway 7.
 
 
DSC_5905
 
DSC_5909  DSC_5919  DSC_5927
 
DSC_5922
 
DSC_5936  DSC_5937
 
DSC_5925
 
Along the hundred mile journey.
 
 
DSC_2082
 
Bear stopped Mabel. They look like rugby posts. You’ve got to be made of stern stuff to be playing up field. Yes dear.
 
 
DSC_2081
 
Out came the big lens. I see what he means. Tough, these locals. Well ‘ard.
 
 
DSC_5929  DSC_5932  DSC_5931
 
We stopped on this skinny bridge to say ‘hello’ to a family looking amongst the stones. Looking left and looking downriver.
 
 
DSC_5934
 
DSC_5941  DSC_5939  DSC_5942
 
We could tell when we had joined the TransAlpine Triangle Route, these signs were all within fifty feet of each other and not in mph.
 
 
IMG_4860
 
Many tight bends and a hairpin at the bottom.
 
 
DSC_5944
 
Another amazing bridge, long enough to have passing bays.
 
DSC_5945
 
Left view.
 
DSC_5947
 
Right view.
 
 
DSC_5960
 
DSC_5948  DSC_5950 
 
DSC_5965
 
Toward the mountains, over the last bridge and there was Mount Isabel overlooking Hamner Springs. There are no free campsites anywhere near Hamner Springs, so we pulled into the cheapest Top 10 in New Zealand – fifteen pounds, free electricity, wi-fi and unlimited time in the showers. All settled, time for an afternoon bimble to check out the world famous Hot Spa.
 
 
IMG_4935  IMG_4937  IMG_4941
 
A pretty Lodge, frosted plants and a diddy St. Rochs Church. Time to get warm and supper.
.
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL A VERY WINDING BUT PRETTY ROUTE