Another washout today, but still it cannot stop us! We started off by heading to Cape Foulwind to go seal-spotting. And spot we did, although most of the pictures don't really distinguish seals from rocks. We didn't, however, spot kangaroos (despite being as close to Australia as NZ gets).

Continuing alongside the Tasman Sea we stopped for the Truman Track and Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks (said to look like pancakes) and blowholes. At last the weather was on our side, with heavy rain and rough seas actually quite good for drawing out the full effect of these land formations (made from limestone, with parts of the rock eroded to the point where it collapsed, leaving pretty impressive formations and water effects.

We carried on south, via Greymouth (apparently the local commercial centre - population c. 12,000). Also of note is Hokitika, former centre of the gold rush, now lacking in gold but still good for pounamu (Nephrite Jade).

Still raining, we got to Lake Mahinapua Hotel and met Les Lisle, NZ's oldest publican (and something of a character - I will say no more). Whatever you say about Les, he cooks a big dinner - massive steaks, baked taters and bambi stew. His bar also has good drink deals, which will be good for tonight's 'P' party (as in, come as anything that begins with the letter p).