Driftwood

 

On the rocks near the beach in Hokitika is this driftwood sign which was made by local artist Don Neale in 1998. It's constructed of driftwood which most West Coast beaches have loads of literally everywhere all over the sand. It's like a local icon and many people both international and national tourists love to take selfies and photos of it.

This week has been a very mild Autumn for us. We've had rain showers but not enough to fill up the water tank in the backyard which 36,000 litres. We are also connected to town water supply but we never use it as we don't seem to run out by using the tank. It's a shame that the north island is getting constantly hit by cyclones and rain because we would like a share of it.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Westland Women

Along the Hokitika pathway to the beach there are these sculptures sitting on amongst the artwork named "Westland Women" which commemorate all the women at the heart of the local communities. The artist is Richard Brett and these were made in 2009. They also look like they double as seats.

Linking up with Tuesday Treasures and Happy Tuesdays. 

Caffe L'affare

When my sister was visiting us from the North Island a couple of weeks ago, we drove down to Hokitika to do some op shopping and have lunch. We use to visit the Stone Oven Cafe, which is in this photo but at the time it was too busy and full of people so we decided to eat across the road at Stumpers Cafe.

I usually like to eat healthy as much as I can so I had ordered a warm Chicken salad which was very tasty. My sister went home again a few days later but I'm extremely thankful we were able to see her - she has a van that she has converted to a type of camper so she sometimes travels around the country.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday, Thankful Thursday and Tom's Signs.

Out my window

 

This is another piece of street art that I saw on the Hokitika Beach pathway a couple of weeks ago. Named "Out my window" and the artist is Sheryl Brooker.

Linking up with Monday Murals and Mosaic Monday.

Weta

 

Both sides of the wall throughout the pathway which leads to Hokitika beach are lined with different artwork from artists, I think once in a while new ones replace the current ones. This one is titled "Weta" by Karyn Roberts. I love these insects, I've seen some big and small ones over the years. They are harmless, non poisonous and do not hurt people but they can bite if you bother them.

Linking up with Monday Murals and Mosaic Monday.

Looking

 

We drove to Hokitika earlier this week to check out the shops and instead of showers and rain which were originally forecast, we had beautiful warm sunny Autumn weather. 

Further to my earlier post about petrol prices here, I did end up filling up my car half way so no panicking here.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and The Weekend Roundup.

Warning!

 

It's amazing how many tourists go for swims at beaches when they have no idea about them. The West Coast is well known for rough wild scenery so you literally don't swim here as there are many rips and surf like waves. I hope this sign is read by everyone. 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Dinner

 

Down this stretch of one of the main streets in Hokitika it's full of restaurants and cafes. Some of them I've tried and the rest I haven't.....yet. 

I don't know if any of you have seen the news stories this week of New Zealand weather. At Mount Maunganui they had a major slip from Mauao (the iconic mountain) which ended up destroying some of the campground there and quite a few people are still missing. The North Island has had quite a bad Summer so far.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections, The Weekend Roundup and Mosaic Monday.

Florist

 

Still waiting for Summer here....hopefully it's not too far away but we are starting to get the odd sunny warm day so that's a start. This was taken last year around this time when we had plenty of sunshine in Hokitika one day we were there.  Summer is a good time for bikers to be going on journeys and for having lunch outside cafes.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

People

 

For the last few weeks we've been very lucky on the West Coast to have had lovely sunny Spring weather. Now for the next week or so we have heavy rain forecast. It's been good to see people out and about enjoying the warmth.

Linking up with Shadow Shot Sunday and Mosaic Monday.

Westland Explorer's Monument

 

In the nearby town of Hokitka (half an hour away) is the cemetery with this monument near the entranceway. It commemorates 4 men who lost their lives between 1863 and 1866 ;

• George Dobson - road engineer, murdered in 1866
• Charlton Howitt - explorer, drowned in Lake Brunner 1863
• Charles Townsend - drowned at Greymouth (probably in the Grey River) 1863
• Henry Whitcombe - surveyor, drowned in the Taramakau River in 1863

Construction of the memorial started 1868 and the railings were added in 1869.

Linking up with Mosaic Monday.

Schooner Tambo

 

On the edge of Hokitika Beach is this big anchor sitting on the rocks which is from the Schooner Tambo which was shipwrecked at the bar in 1866. 

It was found during black sand mining in 1987 and is now part of the Tambo Shipwreck Memorial. The anchor was originally secured by the crew after the ship ran aground but a strong tide and current forced the ship back out to sea. The boat in the background is a reconstruction of the said ship.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's signs.

Waiting

 

A street shot from Hokitika recently where most of the op shops are - there is a man waiting for someone to the left. This was a good day - a nice crisp sunny Winter's day.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections, Shadow Shot Sunday and the Weekend Roundup.

People

 

Photo taken near the beach access to Hokitika Beach.

This morning my daughter R and I drove down to Hokitika to do some op shopping, While we were there we met up with one of my cousins for coffee and brunch. It's nearly Winter here but it was quite mild temperature wise and the sun was just starting to get out so it felt quite warm.

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

Birthdays

 

Last week my daughter and I decided to check out a new op shop that had opened in town. It was ok, she bought a few things but I didn't see anything that caught my eye. I'm very selective usually.

And it was my youngest son's birthday on Saturday 1st March (mine is on the 18th) so on the Sunday we drove down to Hokitika to have lunch at one of the local cafe/restaurants for lunch.  We were surprised at how busy it was there, usually on Sundays there isn't alot of shops open and it's quiet but that day it was full of people. 

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

Trolleys

 

Taken at the supermarket in Hokitika

There are major supermarket chains here in New Zealand. The main ones are Woolworths, New World and Pak n Save (the last one is cheaper than the rest because you pack your own groceries). The minor ones are Fresh Choice or Super Value or Four Square. Depending on where you live is what supermarket you have.  If you're in the city you might have access to multiple ones, if you live in a small town you might have one or two to choose from. The one in this photo is New World in Hokitika and it's actually a nice place to visit compared the one in my town.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

Change

 

A spring day in Hokitika

At last we have some regular sunshine. Spring has been very wet for the whole country but now that we are nearly into Summer it's starting to fine up. There has been alot of action here and people are in the process of marching to parliament as the government is trying to change The Treaty of Waitangi which is the country's original legislation of the partnership between Maori and the British during the first days of colonization. Many people, and rightfully so are up in arms about it. Personally I am tired of rich white people running the country into the ground. We need a positive change here but the next lot of general elections aren't until 2026..

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's signs.

Queue

 

I have alot of cousins. My mum is one of 9 siblings who have all had children (my cousins) and their children have had children. I have one who lives in Hokitika and another one was visiting the West Coast last week so my daughter R and I had lunch with the 2 of them. I don;t know why the waitress in this photo was wearing a mask as those mandates went out a long time ago, perhaps she wasn't well.

We tried one of the local businesses, Stumpers Cafe and Restaurant for lunch and I was pleasantly surprised. Good coffee at a reasonable price and tasty food, nothing expensive so we will probably go back again at some point.

Good news is the cousin who was here for the week is moving to Rangiora soon which is just outside of Christchurch so hopefully we will get to catch up a bit more.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

Ocean Paua

 

Another shop on the main street of Hokitika - this shop sells products made of Paua shell and other giftware. If you haven't tried Pāua (a type of Abalone as other countries call it) then you're missing out on something good. There are number and size limit rules that people can take here to protect the marine species from going extinct, some people obey and sadly some don't. Personally I prefer them creamed on toast or in a fritter - either way they are delciious if cooked the right way.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's signs.

Robert Burns

 

This memorial statue dedicated to Scottish hero Robert Burns is located in Hokitika and was unveiled on 4th June 1923. We were in town last week and enjoyed a lovely sunny warm Spring day - the skatepark behind the statue was very busy with lots of children (school holidays).

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