Orf Piste sign writing

Yesterday we took the van to Timaru Sign Writers and had her name and the blog address stuck on! Just a reminder orf piste is how our english well spoken friends from The Isle of Wight said off piste meaning in ski speak off the trails.

The Backline Road

Autumn is giving us some gorgeous weather and so what better than to go off piste again. We went to Otaio Gorge reserve and walked through the bush to the most awesome spot and swimming hole - actually it was the first place Nina swam when we arrived here in 1997! There is a DOC campsite which is pretty neat but it does say No dogs! The reserve is on the Backline road which is shingle all the way!

Otaio Gorge swimming hole

We then headed west along the road to Mt Nimrod Reserve for lunch and a walk. The bell birds are amazing there and there were these little very black and very yellow birds there. I need to check it out and see what they are. We have recorded the bird song. Great bush walk from the campsite there.

These little cups were given to us by A-Al

Click to play Bellbirds song

Check out this recording of birds in the bush at Mt Nimrod






And home past our old farm at Cannington - looks good.
The little bright black and yellow birds are South Island tomtits.

 

Moeraki for Mothers Day

Poppy to the kennels - she will get her overnighters next spring. We left on Saturday and lunched at the Oamaru harbour then visited the Steampunk museum! It's pretty awesome and definitely worth a visit. There are some really great examples dotted here and there around Oamaru as well.
Then off to Moeraki where we stayed 2 nights in the camping ground with a grand view over the harbour to Fleurs Place. It was our first go at plugging in and with longer nights we were very warm and well lit!
Cooked in the camp kitchen and only one other person there so we spread out! Next day was HOT - so jammy with the weather, and so we went to Shag Point and had lunch at Nev's Ramp and watched a couple of fishermen get their boat out in interesting conditions. Plenty of seals around but no penguins - bit early in the day.
Then we drove to Kaik. It is a favourite wee beach with funny old baches and sheds. Always an upclose thing with seals and loads of shells. The sand is yummy and golden.
Back to our spot and a wee drinkie as the sun went down and then to Fleurs for M day meal. As always it was fantastic, in fact it seems to get better and Fleur was on good form! Stephen had a whole moki and I had blue cod. Both in off the Moeraki boats.
Next day home via Kakanui where we had a good snoop for camping spots - awesome long sandy beach. Had lunch by the sea and then home.

Oamaru harbour

Steampunk museum

Moeraki Camping Ground

View to Fleurs Place

Shag Point

Kaik looking north

Kaik southward

Seal at Kaik

Complete with crockery!

Shacks on the beach at Kaik

Kaike shells

Nice paua shell

Camping ground to Fleurs

Inside Fleurs

Happy diners