Left Palmerston this morning to head out to the East coast to
Castlepoint. Some have asked why go out there. Mainly I felt that it is a place you don't hear about so me being me wanted to go and see it for myself. We both agree that it is well worth the trip. What a nice spot including all the vivid green countryside we have driven through. A beautiful part of New Zealand the Waiarapa. We are having two nights here. One of the reasons to come to Palmerston was to drive through the Manawatu Gorge to the coast, due to slips it was closed which PT was upset about. The alternative was to go over the Saddle Road over the hills.It was a nice drive good roads and views. So we felt we didn't miss out on too much.
Just leaving Palmerston North some of the autumn leaves we have being seeing.
The wind farm which runs along the side of the Saddle Road.
Coming down the other side into Woodville.
This plane was in the children's play ground at Pahiatua. Note its used as a slide.
Just a photo of a broken old house....
We went looking for Stonehenge Aotearoa. Found it but it was closed, and probably had to pay to go in, but as we were driving along the road further we looked back and this is it. Glad we didn't pay to see it all I did was zoom in across the fields . Doesn't look like a stonehenge to me just some old remains of something made of concrete not stone....
A few landscapes en route to Masterton.
As we were going to be too early for our accommodation at Castlepoint we decided to go down as far as Martinborough for a look save stopping there on the way to Wellington on Saturday.
Having lunch at Martinborough.
We both had a lovely salmon sandwich yum...
Above and below the town square.
Cute little B and B on the side of the Road in Martinborough.
Leaving Martinborough heading along the back road to Castlepoint. Must say a very good back road.
Passing through Vineyard country. The yellow patch above are the autumn leaves on the vines.
View point
More vines.
Lovely countryside here in the Wairarapa.
More Autumn leaves on grapevines
After an enjoyable day driving, crossing over the vivid green paddock very pretty countryside, we arrived at the Bach just after 2.00pm
We weren't sure what we were going to find but its very comfortable had everything you needed plus and it gets the all day sun which makes it very warm.
The beach in front looking over to Castlepoint lighthouse.
Very big lounge enough seating for 10 people and it sleeps eight. All old furniture, kitchen, bathroom but very clean and cozy. Just a few metres from across from the beach. Great place for a family to stay.
.
View out of the front windows looking out to the lighthouse.
On the front lawn of the bach looking east along the beach.
Looking North.
Settled in then off to climb up to the lighthouse. PT walking over the sand to the rocks. This area can sometimes be covered in water.
Climbing up, very well provided walkway. Further up there are a lot of stairs but nice and low which makes easy climbing.
Half way up.
Still not quite at the top. You can see why the bay on the right is very sheltered with the point sweeping round to protect it from the open waters. Water to the left is the open seas which gets very rough and splashes over the low row of rocks to form the lagoon which sits under the big rock which is called Castle rock.
A little further on we come to the end of the point although you can go down some stairs near this platform that go down to some rocks below which looked quite dangerous with high drops to the sea.
Looking over to Castle rock (the big rock) and the lagoon. We climbed over the flat wet sand to climb up to the lighthouse. Just in the middle just up from the water you might see the crayfish boats lined up but unfortunately we found out that its not the crayfish season boo hoo..
A close up of one of the fishing boats.
Looking down into the bay where we are staying.
Wonder who these idiots are making shadows...
Big birds down here...............
Standing up on the top of the back lawn where the owners are going to build a house into the hill with garaging underneath. Great spot.
CASTLEPOINT BEACH / RIVERSDALE BEACH..
Friday 5th May 2017.
Today we drove down south to Riversdale Beach 25kms (as the crow flies) down the coast, to see a typical eastern exposed beach.
Looking South along Riversdale Beach which is very exposed to the open seas not protected like Castlepoint which has the point coming out to protect the bay.
Looking North.
Zoomed in on the seas further out.
Drove up to a new subdivision behind Riversdale looking down over the golf course and beach.
From the same spot zoomed in towards Castle Rock showing in the far distance 25 kms away.
Little church we passed inland between the two beaches. There is no coast roads down here. Have to go inland over hills to get anywhere. 50kms in all point to point and hard driving.
Back at Castle Rock looking over the lagoon.
Closer look at the waves spilling over the rocks to make the lagoon.
We drove down to the Western end of the beach, took this shot from up the hill . You can just see the point and the rock in the distance. This shows just how long Castlepoint beach is.
We have really enjoyed coming out to Castlepoint to its lovely bay climbing up to the lighthouse getting the great views and going down to Riversdale Beach to see the real wild eastern coast. Wouldn't swim there, warnings of undertows deep holes and strong rips. Quite wild.
