Blog 76

The Catlin coast, described by lovely planet as rugged and windswept; well they weren't wrong.

I woke up at the crack of dawn and not wanting to disturb Jo's slumber I donned walking boots over long Johns and down over pj top, slung the camera over my shoulder and headed across the beach to monkey island. Accessible at low tide I struck lucky. From here it was a photographers dream. The sun rising behind mountains, casting a hue of orange over te waewae bay.

Burnt orange turned to dull grey, in the form of Invercargill, a dull little town but necessary stop for food, beer and gas. Get me out of here!!

Onto Slope Point and the official southerly point of NZ south island. Still 4852km to the south pole. Next stop curio bay for a petrified forest. This forest, on a beach frequented by yellow eyed penguins, was alive before birds and flowers existed on earth. Fossils of wood galore.

Spending a while looking for the hector dolphin, one of the smallest species, we left without a peep.

A nights free camping with a log fire and all was well. Not a bad first day on the Catlin coast!

Bryn