What started off as wet, overcast day for a road trip, turned out to be an interesting day with unexpected bonuss.
Rain belted down from Invercargill to Riverton, but despite that, we stopped at the Information Centre and Museum at Riverton to get some better information on the West Southland area. The lady there was very chatty and I soon found some information on geology and gemstones of the area. She suggested that we drive out to Riverton Rocks and check out the scenery there, which we did. I guess it was named for the very rocky coast but its great for fishing, viewing dolphins, and fantastic views of Taramea Bay. I spied what looked like pillow lavas as we drove past and despite the rain, I put up the brolly, put on a raincoat and armed with a bag and camera, fossicked on the beach. What a find! I was in hounding heaven! It was a area of Permian volcanic activity of the Brook Street Volcanics which also outcrops in Nelson. Here however, there are pillow lavas, dikes, breccias, and what I think is green chlorite staining I think in argillite - not sure about that one. We were
going to have a fossick at Gemstone Bay further on but this little beach had it all. There were a myriad of various water rolled stones that I doubt would have been any better elsewhere. I havent figured how Ill get them home yet......
Whilst looking for a cafe or eating place we turned off at Colac Bay to try our luck there. There wasnt anything open but there was a weaving studio. We stopped and again I found another gem, just not a hard rocky one! Isobel Bates had her door open and inside she was dressing her countermarche sectional warping loom. I had a long chat with her and notes and then I rejoined the poor old bugger waiting in the car for me again.
Next stop was at McCrackens Rest where the most south western road turns inland towards Tuatapere from Te Waewae Bay. It was very windy and drizzly so we didnt hang about.
At Tuatapere we stopped for lunch at a Bar/Restaurant/BackPackers. Lindsay had memories of this place from his boyhood when he and a mate biked from Christchurch to Tuatapere. Its a bit run down to then.
I should also mention that today we passed Wrights Bush and Waianawa which is where Lindss grandfather and father lived in the past.
We stopped at Clifden Suspension Bridge for a photo stop. It was built in 1898 and has been restored to its former glory. There are some excellent exposures of dipping limestone next to the bridge. Fossils can be found here, but not today. Id be pushing my luck for one and the weather wasnt great.
The drive continued along the Waiau River through a broad open valley bordered by pine forests which wasnt what I expected. The rain stopped, the clouds opened out and the sun shone.
We arrived mid afternoon and are now settled into the Lake View Lodge which is directly across from the lake with marvellous views. We have moved from flat landscapes this morning to a mountainous terrain at Manapouri. Tomorrow will be even more spectacular as we head deep into the Alps.
