Worth all 254 steps!

Another cruisey morning that unfolded gently. I left my overnight camping spot on the northern shore of Lake Wairarapa mid-morning and set off towards Cape Palliser, the southern-most point of the North Island.  It had rained lightly overnight and continued to do so for the duration of the day.  In lots of ways, reaching the lighthouse (after many, many stops along the way) in light rain and a growing wind actually added to the atmosphere.   It's a pretty, gently rugged and somewhat remote spot, and I could easily imagine the pioneers from years ago herding their sheep around the coast or loading their wool onto waiting boats anchored offshore, just past the rocky outcrops.  

The small settlement of Ngawai is interetsing.......black sandy beach that rises steeply  from the sea making launching and landing fishing boats a real challenge.  The solution?  Each boat has its own tractor or, more commonly, bulldozer, to haul it ashore or gently ease it to the water.  These sit at the top of the beach in variable states of rust and decay waiting for their boat's next trip out to sea.

Further along the road is Cape Palliser lighthouse which I arrived at in light rain.  The lighthouse shone for the first time on 27th October 1897.  and originally burnt oil but was converted to diesel generated electricity in 1954 and then to mains electricity in 1967.  It became fully automated in 1986 and with this move the lighthouse keeper was no longer needed.  It is now monitored by a computer and Maritime staff from Wellington.

The challenge for me thoguh was getting up to it - 254 steps straight up.  I found a new appreciation for those firefighters who challenge themselves with the race to teh top of the Skytower wearing all their rescue gear.  The view from the top was, of course, awesome despite the cloud and rain. 

I decided to stay overnight in an open space right alongside the seal colony just a kilometre or two from the lighthouse.  It's been fascinating to watch these beasts - some big poppas lolling and snarling, some medium-sized mommas sleeping and disciplining and some tiny wee bubbas exploring and crying.  An interesting array of sounds to fall asleep to.

G'night.