Waikari

Today was overcast and drizzly which wasn't a problem because it was a travelling day. We needed to get to Methven in order to be in position for our Lord of the Rings tour to the 'Edoras' location at Mt Sunday. We drove south from Kaikoura, following the coast and dolphin spotting along the way and then at Oaro SH1 turned inland and climbed up through the Hawkswood Range. We passed through Cheviot and then turned north west at Waipara and broke the journey at Waikari to view some ancient Maori art painted on to rocks above the settlement. We decided to have a quick cuppa and a bite to eat at a general store cum cafe before setting off on our walk, which the guide book said was a steep moderate 40-50 minutes walk one way. I shan't be tempted by a stuffed sausage again in my lifetime, enough said!
The walk began along an old railway line and then turned upwards over high ground which reminded us very much of home because of the limestone outcrops. No clints and grykes here though, just enormous limestone formations and slabs of the rock. A couple of false summits later and we were looking down on my blip, the huge reef limestone with the overhang which is where we found the Maori art. Sadly some 'well meaning' Museum Director ordered his minions to paint over some of the artwork to make it more visible, but once you had your eye in you could see some of the untouched paintings which gave a better feel of their age and significance. Back down the hill, a cuppa at an alternative cafe and we were back on the road, which was thankfully very straight for many miles. We passed through Amberley, Rangiora and Oxford, stopping briefly to marvel at Rakaia Gorge before turning up here at Methven Camping Ground and into the arms of laid back manager/owner Mark. This place was created in the seventies and hasn't changed a bit since, it's a collection of old sofas, random pictures, mismatched crockery and cutlery and very caring about the folks who stay here! Mark talked to us about his following of the All Blacks around the UK and the bits of the country he saw in between matches then refused to deal with payment until we leave. Methven itself has a long forgotten look about it, but may well come more alive in the skiing season.
So tomorrow we ride the gravel track to Edoras in the six wheeler then on Thursday we will hopefully be heading for our NZ blip meet with rainie and oldtimer!