Obviously all our thoughts have been with everyone at home since the tragic loss of Celia. Let us hope that matters will soon resolve and her family are then able to celebrate her life and the happy times and memories.
Godley Head Walk
"This headland is a breathtaking coastal location, with sheer 120 metre-high cliffs towering above the Pacific Ocean.Built in 1939, the Godley Head WWII coastal defence battery is ranked in the top ten New Zealand coastal defence heritage sites. Note All buildings and structures are closed due to earthquake damage. Most of the tracks in this area are now open. The Tunnel Track and the Breeze Bay Track are still closed."
Godley Head is located on the Northern aspect of the entrance to Lyttleton Port. As you can tell from the published info above, the 2011 earthquake did a great deal of damage indeed the searchlight bunker that was located at end of the walk about 10m above sea-level is now gone (located about 50m below sea-level).
View Larger Map
We did this walk on our last visit (Re: Terror Tunnel ) and armed only with the knowledge that it had been radically changed we set off in Cath's car with only each other for company. In my enthusiasm to get out of the house I had forgotten about the road to Godley Head and its sheer drops from an unprotected road edge. My memory soon returned when reaching the top of Evans Pass, there are only two forward choices - Summit Road Left to Godley, Summit Road Right to Christchurch.
As Carole soon found out being sat in the front passenger seat, the road is narrow and affords an excellent unobstructed view of Sumnervale 800 feet below. I must add at this point that since my altercation with the Sacred Heart Church when I unwittingly drove into its front wall, I have been ultra-cautious anyway and would have preferred an obstructed view (Road barriers perhaps). You can imagine me with my hands welded to the steering wheel, Carole saying "I know what you mean about being in this seat" and both of us praying that another vehicle didn't appear travelling the other way as there were very few wide sections for passing.
Arriving at the walk's starting point we parked up and in the knowledge that the drive back would be on the side away from the edge we relaxed a little.
In the event the new walk (route) was less challenging and to some extent less interesting.
A less than interesting picture of me halfway through the walk (the one I took of Carole didn't turn out)
Staying at Okains Bay
The cottage is located in the centre of the valley about 500m from the half-moon shaped beach. Adjacent to the beach is a camp-site with all the basic facilities - unfortunately no clubhouse etc. This may explain why it was quiet with only a handful of camper-vanners enjoying the seclusion. About 500m inland from the cottage there is a shop and the "Colonial & Maori Museum", the latter definitely worth a visit if you happen to be in the area.
The Bay
The Campsite looking inland
The plan was that Carole and I would have the main bedroom with Cath taking the smaller room. Paul & the girls were to camp in the ample grounds in their tent.
Views of the cottage
Putting the tent up................
At last........................
The cottage was great with a well kitted kitchen and a very comfortable lounge area. It also had a great selection of DVDs to keep me and the kids occupied. We all watched the latest Muppets Movie which was especially moving for me as for some reason images of my dear friends sat in the corner of the TC kept flooding back ..............
I did select a movie called "Seven Years in Tibet" starring Brad Pitt which I thought looked good but after about 6 hours I found myself watching it on my own - some people have no stamina nor taste when it comes to epics! Not to be defeated I managed to watch the final 7 hours on my own the following day and I must admit it was a challenge.
While myself, Cath & Paul were mid-epic on the first night, Grandma was playing "Chase the Ace" with the girls. All was relatively quiet when a minor disturbance between the card players caused us movie watchers to look up. At this point, Carole obviously feeling she had to give an explanation, said "You want to try this without a full deck"...................... I rest my case (again).
Snakes & Ladders with Maddie
OK then I'll let you win next time.
Time on the Beach
A Boules lesson from Hannah
Carole and I have said it loads - but Charlotte, Elliott and Jake would have a great time here, mind you I wouldn't dare take the boys on some of the walks!
A Little Walk to Little Okains Bay
Little Okains Bay is "Just twenty minutes walk from the Camping Ground" actually as it is a moderate climb it took Carole and I about double that time. However,it was worth it for the stunning sights as we made our way over, on the downhill section into Little Okains the slope was gentle and much easier on Carole. As access to this bay is exclusively via footpath it is more than likely you will have the beach to yourself.
Carole - halfway to the top
"Why do you keep saying Back a bit?"
When we did finally make it into the bay it was certainly worth it and just as the brochure had said deserted, apart from a couple of lads with their children that is.
Little Okains Bay from the highest part of the walk
Me tramping off to ask the lads if we could get back via the "level" around the headland.
When I did ask the two kiwis about their route and if Carole would be able to manage they pointed to their young charges and said "Yeah Mite they menaged OK". Bouyed by the prospect of not having to walk up that hill, we set off into the rock-scape fully expecting a level, rock-free path to appear at each subsequent turn. What I neglected to factor into their opinion was the fact that kiwis don't see risk and their kids are experienced rock climbers by the age of 3.
It's OK after this bit....
Surely it levels out soon...
Where's the path gone?
We eventually made it to safety but not before a really scary bit where the path had literally gone into the sea leaving just an 18" wide helter-skelter loop track which descended about 15feet down and back up the other side. The other problem was a 2ft gap at the bottom of this loop. The drop on the sea-side was only about 12ft but it was enough....I didn't take a photo as it was too scary for this blog and also I forgot.
The last leg
This sign is located at the start of the access path to the remains of a jetty which used to serve the Okains Bay community and latterly was an alternative access to Little Okains Bay. Since the earthquake a great deal of the path has been lost to the sea and the advised route is the one we took in the first place. Typically, the kiwis still use it anyway - I think they should put a warning sign at the other end.......
