Retirement Trip ..... What another day?

Yes the following day was a memorable one too.  The day started off misty and murky.  We headed along the coast to view the Split Apple Rock, unfortunately the tide was right in so we could only view it from one side - not its best side

As I said previously we planned to go the full length of Golden Bay to experience the furthest point north on the South Island.  Our route involved a drive up Takaka Hill - which we have since learned earns itself a place on the dangerous roads website - see link.  This was for me one of the scariest drives I have ever taken, added to the fact that there was very low cloud cover, at points there was zero visibility.  We climbed for miles, in parts no crash barriers, long drops and the remains of parts of cars poking out of the vegetation.  Once we reached the top and started to go down the other side it wasn't as bad but I have never been so glad to reach the bottom.  I vowed I would not do the return journey - the only route back - as it happened it wasn't nearly as bad on a sunny day and with the rock face rather than a long drop beside you.

It has to be said, that for Peter he thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, having a grin from ear to ear as he threw the camper around the bends and hairpins and laughing at my screams of terror.

This is an amazing outlook - apparently!!

Anyway, once over the other side we had a pleasant drive and finally saw the sun around lunch time.  We arrived in Collingwood around 2.30 and booked in for 2 nights.  Got out the table and chairs and enjoyed a relax in the sun for a while.  As we were parked up against the beach it made for a beautiful camping spot.

Our early morning view over the estuary

First stop of the day was a little roadside store - The Langford Store in Bainham - oh the china, I must admit there were times on this trip that I wished we were in our car and driving home, instead of thousands of miles away.  Still my bank balance was safer this way.

I love this!

The next stop was Farewell Spit/Puponga/Whararaki Beach where we spotted a colony of seals and incredible views

It was an amazing day, and I was starting to feel sad about leaving the South Island, only a few more days before heading north.