Cheviot Golf Course via Conway Flat; Motunau via Gore Bay & Hirinui River mouth.

After sleeping quite well at the Kaikoura Golf Course we set off the next day in cloudy drizzly weather in the direction of  the 12 hole golf course just out of Cheviot, firstly  taking the turnoff to Conway Flat midway down State Highway 1. We had a cup of coffee overlooking the sea in this very rural area and saw signs for the 2 day Kaikoura coastal walk set up by 2 of the local farming families. The walk starts with a 2 hour 'trudge' along the beach and then turns up into the hills on the farms from where there would be great views.

From there we turned back along the road to continue on to Cheviot, and beyond, to the little rural golf course where there was already a petite caravan parked, it's owners from Auckland and already out playing golf.
We were lucky that the drizzle had eased off and we were able to play 18 holes without getting wet, apart from our socks and shoes. The course was interesting with some drains, bunkers and trees but the fairways had lots of long grass areas ensuring that there was no roll of the ball and sometimes difficulties in finding the ball. And woe betide if you got into the grass off the fairways. However the locals working on the course were all very friendly and welcoming, we played ok, and, we came across some mushrooms that were the biggest we have ever seen - the size of dinner plates!

Fortunately we have always been told not to eat mushrooms found on golf courses because of the chemicals used. Such a shame as even one would have provided us with a big meal!

The next day continued with overcast skies and the promise of light rain. We stopped in Cheviot to dump our waste and use the town's free WiFi - brilliant as it's very easy to chew through our limited data when on the road. The weather, as it was, definitely indicated that it was a pie day so we supported the local cafe by buying one each for lunch which we had out on the coast, overlooking the beach at Gore Bay in front of the little housing settlement.3

A dull Gore Bay

We were really looking for a fishing spot but Len didn't feel the sea calling so after a short walk and getting back on the road we stopped to view the amazing cliffs at Cathedral Gully with the ocean beyond - a truly spectacular sight.

Trish at the cathedral 

The Hurinui river mouth where there is camping allowed for $10 a night was our next stop. Two small camping vans were already there but about to leave. A young French couple were in one and their German friends in the other so we had a good chat with them. They loved looking inside our bus of which they were quite envious of all the space we have!

Len tried spinning for fish in the river for nearly 2 hours but with no luck so we decided to move on for the night to the $10 camping spot beside the river at Motunau Beach.  It was very quiet stay with just one other van - a German family I think - arriving just before dark and parking right down the far end.
We are not great sleepers but we both had one of our best sleeps there.
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