The sunshine of today and the glorious walk along Wharariki beach more than made up for the toilets.  Nah, nothing could make up for those toilets.  Great walk through grassed hills, with bits of woodland in the more inaccessible valleys.  Really is, a mosiac in green. The whole lot overlays huge sand and gravel deposites. Looking towards the north across the wind swept coastal forest.

After bit of scramble down some sheer(ish) sandstone arrived at the beach. The sandstone turned out to be gravel conglomerates laid down by a river, interspersed by mud/silt stone and sandstone.  There was a big variation in sediment size. 

It wasn’t until you looked up at the cliffs that you realised the whole lot was gravel deposites, presumeably something to do with the wear and tear of those Spencer mountains.

The rocks have been tilted slightly, the lines are fine sediment beds.

Inside a small overhand we found what looked like mussels from a distance but turned out to be thin seams of coal.

Does it actually smell?

At the northern end of the beach, at the bottom of a stack, were a couple of rock pools where seal pups can be found messing around.

The extent of the sand dunes were quite something.

Paul and a gentle breeze on the grass.

Walking in sand is really, really difficult, even with sticks.  Must be good for the thighs though…

Then back through those rolling hills and wooded valleys.

Paul told me to stand here, for ages and ages and ages…. He does it to see how long it will be before I get fed up.

You see this tree throughout NZ.  Its called the cabbage tree(Cordyline australis), and yes you can eat it.  Apparently, it was a staple food for Maori.  Not seen it on any menu so not idea what it tastes like.  Anyway its supposed to have strongly scented tiny flowers that bloom in spring.  Well they are blooming but not sure about the smell.

Guess the film!!! No not LOTR … and farm building way below..