Day Thirty Two. Greytown to Pukekura

Wild night in the van with rain and wind - worse than at home for sure. In the morning things a bit brighter but still very wet. Had domestic stuff to do - buy fuel and food. Half a tank of the diesel used by 'the beast' already so we were thinking it was going to be mega expensive to keep her in fuel. Half a tank was 40 dollars - so, less than £20!!!  Happy Howie! 

Thought we'd head south but look at places of interest round about. (We're listening to tourist radio which plays 80s music and when you pass a place of interest it gives you the details.)   Went to Shantytown - a gold mining town. Turns out it was a replica town. So, we paid our money and took our chances. Very interesting and showed what a hard life it must have been in the 1890s but very commercialised. 

Decided after this we won't be lured into the tourist attractions but try to keep 'au naturel'.

Back to the coast road and arrived at Hokitika. Intermittent rain deluges with sunshine. Had a look at a few shops - jade is the biggest tourist attraction but you never buy it for yourself, apparently!   Howie did try to buy me something but I didn't see the perfect thing! (There's still time!). Went for a walk on the beach. Defo not pretty but interesting. Wild waves and driftwood everywhere. There was beach art in the form of driftwood sculptures - some cooler than others. 

Saw signs for Hokitka Gorge - although couldn't find it on map or sat nav - we decided to go there - 33 km away. Roads ok most of the way, apart from the single track bridges which are pretty daunting. Last 5 km was unsealed roads but totally worth the journey. Spectacular rainforest land. 

Scary swing bridge that would only hold 6 people 

And wild water underneath. 

By this time it was about 6pm and we hadn't really moved much in the southerly direction. Found a place about 60km away, Ross, that looked like it had Campervan facilities and made for there.  Arrived, couldn't find the campsite, drove around a bit then  went into ask in the only shop for directions.  You'd have thought the Martians had landed and I was asking directions to the moon. Worried I could become the next victim of the Chainsaw Massacre I made a swift exit and we drove on. 

Poor Howie, tired by now, and in dire need of a beer, had to go another 50 km before we found a suitable place to stop. Here is the evidence. 'The beast' ready to sleep for the night. 

Only one warning about the usually delicious fresh water: 

You were told!  Good night, folks, from Pukekura!