Shantytown, off route 6 south of Greytown, is a re-creation of the kind of places that sprung up from the 1860s as gold prospecting then logging took off. Very good with loads of stores, saloons, butchers shops, doctors surgeries etc. Working steam train takes you up to the old logging area and on the way down you sieve for gold - and always find some with the help of on-duty prospector. It’s in my case as I write. DaveMonday, 1 December 2008
Gold in them there theme parks
Shantytown, off route 6 south of Greytown, is a re-creation of the kind of places that sprung up from the 1860s as gold prospecting then logging took off. Very good with loads of stores, saloons, butchers shops, doctors surgeries etc. Working steam train takes you up to the old logging area and on the way down you sieve for gold - and always find some with the help of on-duty prospector. It’s in my case as I write. Dave
Transalpine Express
Greytown is the terminal station for the Transalpine Express which starts its 4 ½ hour journey at Christchurch on the other side of South Island and which we plan to enjoy for a day in a couple of weeks time. As we happened today to be at journey’s end in Greytown on the way to Glacier country we took the opportunity to check it out. Apart from running 30 minutes late and the coaches needing a fresh lick of paint it was fine. I’ll take the return trip, nine hours in all. Jean will likely get off ½ way at Arthur’s Pass and catch the train on the way back. DaveMonday 1st December 2008
Pancakes for Morning Break
The journey from Westport to Hokitika was often grey, cool and drizzly, but this didn’t spoil the enjoyment of the coastal scenery which was visible from the road for much of the way, the jewel being to the south of Punakaiki where the Pancake Rocks can be seen.
The area is made up of dolomitic limestone which was laid down twenty five million years ago in what was, at that time, sea. The whole region was uplifted five million years ago and subjected to much folding and faulting of the rocks. In the last one hundred thousand years of weathering and erosion the rocks have developed a fascinating pattern of corrugations which give them the appearance of stacks of pancakes.
A lunchtime stop at Greymouth enabled us to take in a stop at the Boulder Jade Gallery. Jade is known as Greenstone or pounamu in New Zealand and this area of Westland is famous for it. Many carvings were on show as well as a variety of jewellery but unfortunately the carvers weren’t at work today.
A common sight while travelling is the sign “One Lane Bridge”, particularly on the tourist trails where roads often follow winding routes and take a relatively small amount of traffic. We’ve become used to slowing right down at these locations, but were very surprised today to find, not only one lane across quite a long bridge, but also a railway track!
The journey from Westport to Hokitika was often grey, cool and drizzly, but this didn’t spoil the enjoyment of the coastal scenery which was visible from the road for much of the way, the jewel being to the south of Punakaiki where the Pancake Rocks can be seen.
The area is made up of dolomitic limestone which was laid down twenty five million years ago in what was, at that time, sea. The whole region was uplifted five million years ago and subjected to much folding and faulting of the rocks. In the last one hundred thousand years of weathering and erosion the rocks have developed a fascinating pattern of corrugations which give them the appearance of stacks of pancakes.
A lunchtime stop at Greymouth enabled us to take in a stop at the Boulder Jade Gallery. Jade is known as Greenstone or pounamu in New Zealand and this area of Westland is famous for it. Many carvings were on show as well as a variety of jewellery but unfortunately the carvers weren’t at work today.
A common sight while travelling is the sign “One Lane Bridge”, particularly on the tourist trails where roads often follow winding routes and take a relatively small amount of traffic. We’ve become used to slowing right down at these locations, but were very surprised today to find, not only one lane across quite a long bridge, but also a railway track!
Jean
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