Coastal.....

.....flour mill and a dam.....

A rather bracing day as I stood on the clifts with a roaring Pacific Ocean rushing in, it was so windy even the spotted shags had difficulty with lift off. I on the other hand had to watch I didn't stand too close to the edge or I'd be flying!! 

Hubby and I decided to take the coast road along the clift tops to Kakanui. The small town of Kakanui lies on the east coast of Northern Otago, it has a population of 414. The Kakanui River divides the township, quite wide and full at the river mouth while small at SH1. The surrounding area is known for it's limestone formations, quarrying used to take place. Many of New Zealand's top cricket venues use Kakanui soil for their wicket blocks.

Next stop was along SH1 at Clarks Mill, although not open at the time we were able to walk around it and take some pics. Flour mills were common throughout New Zealand serving local needs, few remain today. Clarks Mill is a water powered flour mill with its machinery intact and operating. It was built by Totara Estate in 1866 of Oamaru stone.

On the way back to Moeraki Village we discovered off the beaten track Graves Dam, a dam which could be easily missed. A small curved stone dam was made to service the Fernyhaugh Flour Mill. The dam in it's time may've had a weir gate constructed on the top. The dam was constructed in 1870. Graves Dam is located on Waianakarua River.

A great day was had out and about, discoveries made, lots learnt and I just loved the coastline earlier in the day, just a few extra's......