From Cowshed Bay we moved on with the weather showing signs of improving. We drove to the head of Kenepuru Sound, and then continued on along the north side to Ohauparuparu Bay. Here we are allowed to park up for a couple of days on the waterfront, thanks to the generosity of the local people. They have named the foreshore area Totaradale probably because of the small groves of Totara trees. By the time we got there the sun was coming out, so so did we. Time for a coffee at the best seats in the bay.
We wanted to make the most of the day so left Suzi motorhome there and continued on west towards the end of the road. The day was calm and sunny and the scenes in the turquoise bays were extraordinary.
We stopped for a late lunch at Te Matau a Maui Bay before carrying on to the end of road at Hopewell. Hopewell looks like a nice backpackers lodge place. We retraced our route and stopped off at Raetihi Lodge for a lovely coffee on the lawn. It looks like another lovely place to stay.
On the way back east we took a side road over the hill to Crail Bay to see what there was to see – which wasn’t a lot. Plus we came across an extraordinary shed which was extraordinary because it doesn’t look like it has changed for quite a few decades. There was a strange sort of flying thing which looked like it was fiberglass over polystyrene. But somehow it didn’t look like it had any means of propulsion. I wondered if it was intended to be towed behind a speedboat to a point where it could rise in the air.
Finally we made a stop at Waitaria Bay for a BBQ tea by the beach. There was a wind down the valley but we managed to find a sheltered place below a bank. I fired up the olde MSR primus and the sausages were cooked in no time. They tasted good with a beer and a lovely view up the Sound.
Gallery of photos – Marlborough Sounds – Â November 2013
Click on thumbnails to see full size. (And then you can click through them)
