Sort trip again today as we are headed up the coast on the way to Karamea. Our stop for tonight is Seddonville a little village inland about 12km from Mokihinui. Passing through Granity on the way where we decided to have a coffee at the Drifters Cafe, another West Coast Cafe full of little bits and pieces on the walls.
Drifters Cafe Granitys Main Street
Nice coastal drive along here before we turned inland to Seddonville, a sleepy little village with about 70-80 residents. It exists to servicthe local farming and mining communities. We are staying behind the
Seddonville Hotel, a nice place to park for the night.
These low cost parks are ideal as most have power, water, showers and toilets for between $10 and $15 dollars a night. The publicans wife pointed us in the direction of the old rail trail and tunnel and after a short walk across a couple of bridges which had seen better days we came across the tunnel.
These tunnels were in use servicing local coal mines until about 1984.
We met a local out for a bike ride and he suggested a drive up the banks of the Mokihinui River. A well graded gravel road in farmland turned into a little rougher tracks through the bush as we got deeper in. Any excuse to go into four wheel drive !. Across a couple of fords and we came to the end of the track as far as we decided to go, so turned around and came back out. A nice drive.
The “Boys” having a play for the Cameras
On our return to the tavern we went over for an ale or two and a meal in the restaurant. On a Friday they run an odds & evens dice game when you purchase your drinks between 5:30pm and 7:00pm. The publican rolls the dice and you call odds or evens. Call it right and the drink is free. We did quite well, I got a free pint and then Pauline called right and got her wine free. After drinking those we went again for our second drink and this time Pauline had to pay for her wine and I got another free pint. With Robin, Jenny and Derek all winning, they didn’t make much money off the drinks for our group !. The meals were very good, the locals made us welcome and the Highlanders beat the Blues ! an enjoyable evening for all.
Off towards Karamea tomorrow where there is no cellphone or internet coverage so there will not be any blogs for the next few days. Hopefully we will catch up again next week.