Time for a Cuzie catch up on the West Coast

Deb, Kevin, Bill & I at Denniston Dog Café & Bar - Westport

Cousin Kevin (affectionately called Cousin It since our kids were little) had made plans to do a long overdue South Island trip with his wife Deb. They live in Napier so do have a beautiful coastline too but hard to beat the South Island, in particular the rugged West Coast. After a week in the Sounds with Family before we caught up, they had had the good weather. Well! We knew winter was just around the corner didn't we? And as we had issues with our Bus (Alternator), we hadn't got our COF. So I booked accommodation in Westport for the four of us - no problems this time of year.

Westport as we knew from our recent visit, was lovely and compact. Easy walking to restaurants. And Bill was on a mission not to miss the sunset from the harbour entrance where we had watched many cars come and park up when we were there previously. So after a quick catch up with drinks in our Unit, Bill took us down to the mouth of the Buller River (Kawateri) just in time. And luckily for two young Ladies who had been to a High Tea, to celebrate someone's birthday, they had driven down to the harbour entrance in their 1962 Wolseley and needed a photographer! Step up Kevin 😃

Westport Sunset and a Wolseley

 After sunset we went to the Denniston Dog Cafe & Bar for dinner (along with quite a few locals being a Saturday night) and had a lovely meal. 

Sunday with the weather not great, we headed off to Hokitika. Got to Punakaki and had time for a walk around the pancake rocks before lunch and the skies opened up! The West Coast has been hard hit with the lack of tourists in places like Punakaki but the few tourists that did stop weren't greeted with what I would call a warm West Coast welcome. Perhaps they are still practicing before the hoards return. 

Amazing pancake formations

We stopped here and there on our way down to Hokitika, Deb & I in one vehicle and Bill & Kevin in the other. In Greymouth the Girls lost the Boys. Hmmmmm did we spot the Monteith's Brewery on our way through! Yep. Found them. Kevin in his new cap, in disguise 😂. It was bucketing down at this stage, quite dark outside. So it was nice and cosy for a drink before heading onto Hokitika.
 
 

Amazing Couple 😉

After finding a hotel with Beach Front Views (we took the cheaper rooms with no view - but it didn't matter as it was  the West Coast and it was bucketing down and so dark you couldn't see anything anyway!), we headed out to a local bar for dinner. For a Sunday night it had a few patrons. It was all go though with everyone coming and going to the Pokies. There was a big one due to pay out.💰 

Very calm & misty at Lake Brunner

Deb & Kevin like a little flutter on the pokies, so went and joined the locals. Then Kevin comes out all smiles as he won the Jackpot! Deb also won a smaller pot. I thought the locals might have come and lynched us - Outsiders cleaning out the kitty! But I guess they're use to the Tourists coming in and doing this. Anyway, it made the night and Kevin shouted dinner - thanks Cuz 😘

The next day wasn't much better - dry enough for a quick walk around Hokitika township - will put this place on the list to return to again one day - preferably a sunny one. Lots of history here with the Gold discoveries of the 1860's and the resulting township that grew from those days.

As we were to head in different directions later in the day, we headed to Lake Brunner on the back gravel road in from Kumara for lunch. At least with the rain, there was no trouble with dust. It was still a very scenic drive through the bush - and wondering if Bill & Deb were going to make it as Bill's petrol tank was on empty! Of all the remote places to be low in fuel!! But in fairness to Bill he had tried to fill up in Kumara, but the Pay Machine was faulty and not letting anyone fill up. Kevin and I followed up the rear incase we had to tow them to Lake Brunner. Thankfully they did make it. Phew! And we enjoyed a lovely lunch at Hotel Lake Brunner - delicious.

We drove onto Reefton where we parted company as K&D were heading off to Hanmer and we returned to Nelson. Great catch up Guys - look forward to the next adventure.