Blackball Mine Track

 

Yesterday we had such a nice warm Autumn day that B and I decided to drive out to an old mining quarry. There is a historical background to this...

Where I live on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, it's well known for a coal and gold mining history which is still going today. 

This particular no longer used coal mine has some old relics and equipment and tunnels (which are unfortunately fenced off) and the whole area is dangerous to check out up close. The walk itself takes about 25 minutes mostly uphill to a lookout at the top.

The mine was in use in the early 1900s and is apparently where the idea of a lunch break began. The miners were unhappy with having a 15 minute break and so they went on strike for 3 months in 1908 demanding the right for a half hour break instead.

The miners ending up winning and Blackball was known as a town that stuck up for New Zealand workers.

Apparently the judge had told the miners their request was unreasonable while enjoying a 90 minute lunch break for himself.

The 1908 strike was important for union history in this country and some of the leaders were later involved in starting up the Labour Party.

The mine operated until 1964 but today it is a preserved site that still has a large chimney, fan houses and equipment scattered around like old wheels.

 Some more old mining equipment...

And this is the view from the top over the nearby Blackball township which is about 20 minutes out of Greymouth.

Linking up with Tuesday Treasures and Happy Tuesdays. 

Visit to Fox River

 

About 45 minutes drive from Greymouth is the Fox River which flows from the Paparoa Ranges through the National Park to the Tasman Sea. This area has different nature walks which are probably for the more intermediate to advanced hikers as there are caves and limestone gorges.

B and I are not hikers, we do not have any hiking or safety gear so we only walked for about half an hour. The whole hike I think is about 7 hours long and there is a DOC (department of conservation) hut at some point for people to stay in. This part was down by the carpark. The river water is fresh down from the mountains and then runs out to the ocean nearby.

This photo and the 2 below this one are of the river itself after we walked through the bush. It seems Summer finally hit at the beginning of February and yesterday was a lovely 24 degrees celsius so the water was nice and cool to paddle in.

Our weather on the West Coast has been very very hot over February but much of the north island of New Zealand and the East Coast of the South Island have been inundated with rain and flooding. It is becoming very dry here, even a tiny bit of rain would help.

This photo and the one below it are 2 of the bush walk. This part wasn't too strenuous, but sadly I didn't see any fungi or mushrooms, think it's a bit early for them.

Linking up with Tuesday Treasures, Happy Tuesdays and Wordless Wednesday.

Berlins Cafe and Bar

Today a friend, my daughter and I drove out to Westport from Greymouth and on the way we stopped at the Berlins Cafe and Bar, a popular tourist stop within the Buller Gorge.

 

This funky metal sculpture set was in the paddock next door to the cafe depicting an old bicycle, some metal parts and a large bee/hornet holding a knife and fork.

No country bar/cafe/restaurant would be complete without the old retro/vintage telephone box.

The photos above show the interior which was very rustic and pleasant with an amazing view out over the bush covered mountains and Buller River.

And this photo shows part of the scenery seen from inside the cafe. Pretty amazing right?

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Otatara Pa

During our trip to Taupo 3 years ago (I had forgotten I'd taken these photos), we spent the day in Napier as my grandmother on my mother's side grew up there. This was one place we decided to visit.

Otatara Pa site is a historical reserve and walk which sits on top of a hill outside of town. The carvings are known as Pou.

So there is an upper pa (Hikurangi) and a lower pa (Otatara). Visitors can see the remnants of terraces, living sites, and food storage pits.

The area covers over 40 hectares and is one of the largest and oldest pa sites in the Hawkes Bay area.

Maori preferred this place because of it's strategic point in Napier and of it's expansive views over the region.

The Chief Turauwha was very important at this time, around 400 years ago. Another Maori named Taraia lead Ngati Kahungunu (a tribe) to Heretaunga where they attached Otatara. 

Through living there, intermarriage and power/influence they expanded to dominate the region.

In 1973 part of the pa was designated as a historic reserve to protect what is remaining. In 1987 management of the reserve was passed to the Department of Conservation which has carried on added parts to the pa to show how it once was.

Otatara Pa is now registered as a category 1 historic place. Information from the Hawkes Bay website.

 Linking up with Through my lens, All Seasons, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Lake Kaniere

 

This place is just magic! Lake Kaniere is just outside of Hokitika about 10 minutes drive before Dorothy Falls, where we drove to last week. I don't know what it's like in Summer but it was so quiet and peaceful, no one else there but B and I - there's snow on the mountains in the distance too.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Driftwood

This morning we were out at nearby Rapahoe Beach, about 10 minutes drive from home picking up driftwood off the beach. We have been due for rain and thunderstorms (which have now started) but for a few hours the sun was trying to peek out from behind the clouds. Edited to add: for those who have asked what I am going to do with the driftwood; the smaller pieces will be kindling for the fireplace and the bigger bits will go in the garden.

The left hand side of the beach has a row of old posts leading out into the water but I'm not sure if it is the remains of an old wharf. In the end we filled up 3 shopping bags with bits and pieces of wood. Now I'm starting my week off from work today and no doubt I will get bored after 3-4 days.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Blue house

I spotted this little house for sale in Murchison last year. A very pretty wee stucco house from the 1930s era, there are a few properties around the country like this. This one painted blue stands out a mile but not sure I would keep the colour if I owned it. I'd probably be a bit more traditional.

Linking up with Blue Monday and Mosaic Monday.

Ngakawau Tavern

On the outskirts of Westport just past Granity is this building named the "Ngakawau Tavern" just near the Stockton Mines. Apparently it use to be known as the "Charming Creek Tavern" due to it being close to the Charming Creek walkway. It didn't look too busy when we drove past but there is a sign on the building saying that rooms are $50 per night, so pretty cheap.

Linking up with Weekend reflections and the Weekend roundup.

Lemon and Paeroa

 If you haven't seen this before it's a well known icon to us Kiwis. In the small town of Paeroa is this statue of a bottle of the fizzy drink "Lemon and Paeroa" which has a very unique taste. It was created in 1907 by combining lemon juice with carbonated water from this town and is now owned by Coca-Cola.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Black and White Hotel

I'm one of those people who gets a bit excited by old architecture around New Zealand. This old pub/building/hotel is located on the main street of Westport on the West Coast. Judging by the look of it I'd say it was built around the early 1920s. I'm not really sure how it got it's name, perhaps the building was originally black and white. It seems to have some bad reviews from about 5 years ago on Trip Advisor but recently there are alot of positive comments.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and The Weekend Roundup.

Pompallier Mission House

We were over in Russell last week on B's day off hoping to do a tour of the Pompallier Mission House but alas we were a bit late for the tour. History about this place is:  Built in 1842 it housed a printery where church texts were translated from Latin to te reo Māori, then printed and bound.  The property is just five minutes’ walk from the wharf at Russell, formerly known as Kororareka and infamous as the ‘hell-hole of the Pacific’ for its drunken and raucous behaviour. It was against this colourful backdrop that a group of French Marist Brothers – including Jean Baptiste Pompallier, after whom the property is named – arrived to set up a Catholic Mission in the settlement.

Unfortunately we were a bit late by the time we got there and B had an appointment that afternoon so it will have to wait until another time.

It looks very different to how it looks today (top photo) compared to this one taken in 1967. Edited to add: After searching for more information on the property I've found that the outside decking and rails seems to be removed because of structural issues the house has had over the years. 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Tuesday Travel, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday.