Balclutha to Otara

Saturday I headed to The Catlins to explore the coast. First stoppage was the lighthouse at Nugget Point, Adam had told me it was the best lighthouse in the world, so a lot to live up to; what do you think?

Final destination was Jack's Blowholes. I wasn't sure what a blowhole was, it sounds pure filth to me. I'm still not clear but here's the pictures.

Then it was time to make campage. I happened on a campsite for only 5 bucks a night, free WiFi (though it was a bit shitus) and hot showers for a small fee. Hurrah for Hillview and thank you Kev and Sue!

Would you Adam and Eve it but Kev and Sue hail from Wirksworth! For those of you who don't know, Wirksworth is a tiny town in Derbyshire where Kris and I used to live. Kev gave me free tomatoes and a cucumber from his greenhouse due to our association, big thanks:)

Sunday was spent exploring the coast before heading back to Hillview for an extra night. The weather was blowing a fooking gale and I was freezing my tittingtons off but at least I avoided the downpours that were plaguing the west coast.

First stop Purakaunui Falls...

OMG, I'm thinking of changing my name to Mrs Chubbulous -Cheekington.

Second stop McLean Falls, I've been playing with the effects on my camera, what do you think?

Then I headed to 'The Petrified Forest' at Curio Bay, billed as a geological phenomenon, which is always a tall claim.

I was a tad underwhelmed as the fossilised trees were all lying down and hard to distinguish from your average rockington. Foolishly I was expecting them to still be erectus. The bay is also home to the rarest penguins in the world but this is the nearest I got.

The best chance for penguin spotting is sunset and I couldn't be arsed waiting that long.

This is Slope Point, the most southerly point of New Zealand's south island.

It is the windiest place on planet earth, even the trees grow horizontally.

Final destination Waipapa Point to view the historic lighthouse.

On route to Queenstown I stopped at a fruit growers and purchased the juiciest plums and sweetest cherries to exist beyond Paradise; which is 50km up the road by the way:) The fruit farmer was only from fooking Ripley! For those of you who don't know Ripley is a tiny town in Derbyshire and my first teaching job was there. All I need now is to bump into mad Gary from Buxton and I will have the Derbyshire hat trick.

Today I am gonna take it easy and pootle around QT and tomorrow I am starting on the Routeburn Track, my next Great Walk. I am very excited but the forecast is all a bit poo. I'll be out of circulation for a few days so please don't worry, muchus love and over and out from a slightly smelly Adilady who is in need of a good old scrubbage xxxx