A "Flat" Ride Out & Back to Collingwood

Today didn't start out well. During a lovely breakfast with some of our fellow guests, we were regaled with horror stories of how American customs agents treat visitors to the U.S. Those telling the tales were some of the most innocuous English people you can imagine, and it was not just one exception, but the general rule on their frequent visits to the U.S. since 9/11. Just one more example of how our country is headed in very much the wrong direction.

After breakfast we cycled back into Takaka and stopped at the iSite (tourist information) to find out about the shuttle back to Nelson. One way over the Takaka hill is quite enough. On the way out of the car park, my wheel dropped into a long slot in the concrete that was put there for no apparent reason other than trapping unsuspecting cyclists. Over I went, bashing my elbow and raising quite a lovely hematoma, not to mention the road rash. Argh. Well, after a bit of moaning and groaning and a little first aid, I was able to get back on the bike and proceed with our plans.

We planned a little out and back to Collingwood, which someone had told us was nice and flat after our efforts of yesterday. Maybe in comparison, but it was NOT flat. The real surprise is that now we have gone most of the way out the western part of Golden Bay, and almost never seen the water. At Collingwood we were at last at the beach, and it was very pretty. 

Very small town with just a couple of shops and eateries. Lunch at Tinky's Tavern. Nothing to write home about, but a very nice back area to eat in. Had to get a Pavlova for dessert because David's never tried one. Also, along a tiny little deadend road, a fantastic little handmade chocolate shop called Rosy Glow. Even a nice little garden to eat them in. A must-visit if you're ever out this way.

On the way back, we stopped at Estuary Arts, which we'd noticed on the way out and which had a little display window in town. Bruce Hamlin, one of the co-owners, told us a lot about how his various works were made, including this wonderful casting done on the beach, complete with bird footprints. It's part of their sales counter. We bought a tile.

Another sight along the road, which is something we've been seeing all over New Zealand, is a bunch of ratas or pohutakawas, two closely related trees in the myrtle family. Ramsey and Despina called them New Zealand Christmas trees and had one out their window. They don't keep their blossoms long, so we're really here at the right time.

After an early dinner at the Wholemeal Cafe back in Takaka (very good, we even bought their cookbook), we headed towards our hotel, but with a stop at the Labyrinth Park on the way. This was the suggestion of one of the people working at Wholemeal. It's a very cool, very extensive bunch of trails through a huge rock outcropping that has been carved into infinite weird shapes by water over the centuries. Makes yesterday's Hawkes Overlook pale in comparison. A bit scary because you're not sure you can find your way back out, but it turns out the there is one main trail paralleling the road and it is pretty easy to find that and stay on it.

The little toys hidden in various crevices are to amuse the younger visitors to the park, although I'd think the rocks would hold their own against a childish attention span. I found the toys distracting.

And, finally, our favorite sign for the day: