West Coast

Catherines surprise 70th  04 – 08.03.2016

Terry excelled himself by not letting on that Catherine was to receive some surprise visitors for her 70th birthday. He had known for at least a week & so many times he nearly tripped up.

Chris, Kim & Jess arrived at our campsite at Lake Brunner around lunch time on the 4th. Jeremy, & Heather & Lou from Kawhia, arrived as a second surprise around 9 pm that evening. Catherine was completely bowled over by all of this & she couldn’t believe that they had done this for her & Terry heaved a sigh of relief..

 

 

Punakaiki Rocks

The next day we all went for a drive to Punakaiki to view the pancake rocks.

Sampling the brew at Monteiths Brewery Greymouth.

We had a scrummie dinner to celebrate the occasion that night as Chris, Kim, Jeremy & Jess had to be back in Auckland for work on Monday. They left early the next morning for the trip across Arthurs Pass to Christchurch. After a few bubbles we had a neighbouring table in fits of laughter with our tales of bicycles. Enough said.

 

Karamea, Denniston & Westport Dinner.  06 – 07.03.2016

On Sunday we drove up to the top of the West Coast road up & over the Karamea Bluff, which goes up heeps & then down to Karamea in misty rain & clouds. Heather & Lou followed us in their rental. We stayed the night & then drove back down to Denniston.

This was Chris Verrall’s grandparents house in Hector, on the way to Denniston, where he spent a lot of time in his early years. A great spot right next to the beach.

The Denniston Mine Experience.

At Denniston we experienced what life was like in early coal mining days. This will be an experience that none of us will forget in a hurry. We went part way into an old mine by train & then walked through a series of tunnels that had been hewn out by miners working in diabolical conditions. At times the only illumination we had was from our helmet lamps which were brighter than the candles used by the earliest miners in 1878.

 

Catherine’s 4 day birthday bash came to a finale, on her actual birthday, with Heather & Lou taking us for a yummy dinner at the Denniston Dog.

And serious cake.

The next day Heather & Lou drove back over the Lewis Pass & down to Christchurch to catch the plane back to Hamilton. They then drove back to Kawhia.

A 70th birthday that Catherine will remember forever. Thank you all for everything. xxxxxx.