Cape Palliser

I must admit that I found a portion of the drive around to Cape Palliser a little challenging.  Wouldn’t you if you came across these road signs?  So we slowed right down, taking our time as we drove along this part of the road, well aware that the seaward side of the road had been falling into the sea, taking some of the coastal homes with it.

Once past the active slip, the cliffs were bare and crumbly, starkly beautiful in their own way.  Then it was around the coastal road to our POP for the night, we were staying on a rather windswept farm. Cape Palliser is the southernmost point of the North Island, and believe it or not, is in fact considerably farther south than either Nelson or Blenheim in the South Island.

Driving around to Cape Palliser

We all slotted into the paddock, trying to keep our van doors on the leeward side of the fierce wind.  Not that it really mattered, as the wind blew from the other side the next day.  Some hardy sheep wandered by, not at all bothered by these strange white vehicles in their paddock, and beef cattle grazed over the fence.

All hunkered down in the wind

A bit of clever parking with motor homes in a circle created an area sheltered from the wind.  During Happy Hour Bill and Val had us all play the “Money Game” for the grand outlay of 3 X 20 cent pieces.  Depending on the roll of three wooden marked dice, our 20 cent pieces were either passed left or right, kept, or put into the kitty.  It was a lot of fun, with Cathy being the eventual winner.

Cathie with her winnings

“Fish and Chips with a difference” was on the menu for dinner, ably cooked by Becky of Coastal Cove Cuisine, who brought her mobile kitchen with her to our campsite.  How’s that for great service!  Lovely battered fish, crunchy chips, coleslaw and tartare sauce were served, together with bread and butter produced by Bill, all enjoyed outside in the fresh sea air.  What could be nicer!

Al Fresco dining

The hills behind us took on a golden glow as the sun started to go down.  We had high hopes for a spectacular sunset, but that wasn’t to be, despite several of us looking out to sea with cameras in our hands, waiting…..  Perhaps we will have more luck the following evening.