Five Mile Bay

There's a camping spot at Five Mile Bay just outside of Taupo where self-contained vehicles can park up for free for four nights in any given calendar month. It was a stunning day when we arrived. The mountains were glorious. 

The next morning was frosty, promising another lovely day. 

Our neighbours.

This was how close we were to the lake.

Acacia Bay, across the water, slowly disappeared from sight as the fog lifted.

That evening, the skies were red.

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Lake Ellesmere and Leeston

We're staying at Lake Ellesmere just out from Leeston, south of Christchurch. With a population of about 1800, Leeston is the main town in the Ellesmere area. Walking up the main street, we came across three churches. Set in beautiful grounds, this one is St David's Union Parish.

The Ellesmere RSA Clubrooms. Someone arrived to remove these crosses on the right shortly after I'd taken the photo. I assume they'd been put there especially for ANZAC Day celebrations.

Down one of the side streets, we found this beautiful hotel—the Crate & Barrel. 

There was no telephone in this telephone box out front—I checked! It's purely for decoration, but I thought it looked rather cool.

More sights in the main street of Leeston.

This stream came down the side of one street, turned at the corner and then ran down the main street. To get to their homes, people had to drive or walk over bridges.

A couple of lovely water features: a fountain in the foreground and behind it a model rig (The Millennium Water Feature) symbolising early well sinking. The sign says it was patented in 1882 

Another lovely old church set in attractive grounds. This one is St John the Evangelist Church—Ellesmere Anglican Parish.

And lastly, a much larger church at the south end of town. Also called St John the Evangelist, but this one is the Catholic Parish.

On our second day, neighbours arrived. A colourful truck towing a trailer, and two older buses, all full of character and personality. There's plenty of space for everyone here at Lake Ellesmere.

I recognise the big red bus from the Gypsy Fair when we were in Gore.

 That night, the sun turned on a stunning display as it was setting. 

On the other side of the park in another part of the lake, soft pink and blue reflections.

Back to the sunny side. The sky was turning from different shades of creamy yellow and gold . . .

. . . to pinks and oranges . . .

 . . . and then bright orange.  Just beautiful!

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Kaikoura NZMCA Park

While at Kaikoura, we stayed at another NZMCA Park. This one was at the Trotting Club. It's a very popular place, and most nights there was no spare room.

During the day it cleared out a bit and the stalls were more obvious. Occasionally a horse float arrived. One time, four horses were unloaded, placed into outside stalls, fed and then reloaded for the rest of their journey.

Along the side of the parking area was the start of a walkway.

St Paul's Track. We only went to the top of the hill, but the track continues on around and over the other side of the peninsula.

The view from part way up, looking down over the Trotting Club to the right of the NZMCA Park.

Views from near the top.

The next morning we were awoken at about 6am by what sounded like a foghorn. It sounded over and over again. Later, when we ventured out into the drizzly, foggy morning, this massive cruise ship was moored offshore.

It was cloudy and drizzly the entire day. But that evening the sunset was brilliant.

The next day was stunning. Hot and sunny. And another beautiful end to the day.

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