Ward Beach, Kekerengu, Koura Bay Lodge

November 6th, 2018

We could have easily stayed longer at Marfell's Beach, a fabulous spot and one of our favourite places on this trip, but Len was fancying a bit of fishing and it was a bit shallow there. So we said goodbye to our relaxing spot and drove slightly further south to Wards Beach, a deep bay between rocks and a stream flowing in a little beyond.

This beach has so many beautiful stones, especially the spectacular rounded sea-moulded white ones.

Could spend hours here!

I really needed another bucket for all my favourites to go alongside the bucket of shells which we also didn't have room for! I so love them! Who needs to look in jewellers shops when we have all these lovely free gems on our beaches?!

The weather had started to really close in and soon we were encompassed within a very thick sea mist, apparently unusual for this time of the year. The sea was also pretty rough but Len tried his luck for a short time before deciding that kelp was the winner - plenty of it clinging to his line and stealing his sinkers.

Some big kelp to be caught!

I had a great viewing spot however from the carpark overlooking the beach having sensed that the fishing conditions weren't great. A couple of motorhomes were parked in the small farm area overlooking the beach where the owners allow self contained motorhomes to stay for a donation. We considered staying but instead opted to drive to The Store at Kekerengu, which contrary to the picture you imagine, is actually a lovely licenced resta

They allow self contained vehicles to park on the vast strip of land with many parking spots beyond the Store for $10 a night. We drove down the hill and parked in the first little bay we came to (first ones there) not realising until later that there were many more private spots further down. This meant that later on we were surrounded by other vehicles, the one right next to us which arrived at dark, being one of those little rental vans with the noisy sliding door which they seem to use many times before midnight and then again early in the morning.

Twiggy

You can only understand what it is like if they have been your close neighbour in a campground!!

The sea mist was still quite thick but we enjoyed a walk down the beach which was well covered with wood and long branches which came down the river in the very heavy rain they had 2-3 days previously. There was a surfer catching the odd better formed wave, something of a rarity apparently before the big earthquake 2 years ago according to an older friend of the surfer who was walking his dog. The uplifting of the ocean floor has made the surfers pretty happy as previously the sea was usually flat.

The wind came up that night so we were rather buffeted about but the next day was sunny again, the sea mist having been driven away.

We really enjoyed the drive from here down the coast towards Kaikoura. It is so scenic driving right next to the ocean with its rocks and hundreds of seals as well as the neighbouring railway line.

Fur seals viewed through roadside fence

Great place for a 30kph convoy

There are still lots of roadworks going on with all the repairs necessitated following the earthquake and the road has only been opened again for a short time. It's only one way traffic in lots of places resulting in lots of waiting time which was great as it gave us plenty of time to watch the numerous seals basking on the rocks and even seemingly trying to surf. Although they were quite close by the binoculars came in very handy.

We were excited to reach the famous crayfish pot shed on the side of the road as crayfish has to be on the menu when you are in Kaikoura but unfortunately because of the rough seas they had no crayfish at all!!

Before Kaikoura we turned off to Koura Bay Lodge which has upmarket accommodation, a licensed restaurant, a subdivision of new houses, a nine hole golf course and offers parking for NZMCA members. The golf was the attraction of course and it is in a beautiful setting - expansive views out to the ocean and the awe inspiring snow tipped mountains behind.
The course itself is quite flat with no bunkers, just a couple of ponds which we didn't go into, so I don't know why my golf was pretty bad again 
I think I'll say it was the heat! The sun was beaming down and it was very very hot - felt like about 27°. The only thing was that Len played as well as ever.

No.1

No.2

No.18

No.19

I enjoyed the beer and relaxing in the sun afterwards. It was definitely the lull before the storm as that night boy did the wind get up - it felt like hurricanes buffeting the bus. The amazing thing was that when I peeped out the window the sky was sparkling with thousands of huge stars - so pretty!