Gore Bay

Hello, happy holidays to everyone!
We left Methven under cloudy, drizzly skies and into sunny, warm weather. Gore Bay was a wonderful respite. The afternoon we got there, we walked along the beautiful beach and took in the warmth of the sun. The following morning we woke to the sun beaming off the ocean. The ocean was an emerald green with a thin navy blue line forming a ruler straight horizon. It was cloudless, but for a few lavender and pink clouds that hung close to the horizon. We watched a seal ride the waves for quite some time, walked the beach and lay in the sun. It would have been a perfect morning if I hadn't stepped on a wasp, which nearly sent me to the moon. Fortunately, I had some Apis with me and took that and the swelling and pain went down within an hour. We took in our first really fantastic meal in a cafe/art gallery and then when it got dark, watched the night sky in its "new" formations--upside down Orion, Southern Cross--all those things that we do not see above the equator. By afternoon, a strong storm came in from the South and brought rain. We had two lovely days in the sun and this morning left for Kaikoura further up the coast, which is another fantastic bay town with a jutting peninsula. The whale watching trips are all cancelled due to rough sees even though it is a warm and lovely day here in the village. Our plan is to stay here through tomorrow night and on Wednesday head back into the interior to hike. The troops need the sun and sea breezes--I am finally eating and I might say--enjoying it! We wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope that you are all surrounded by much love now and always, Linny