A brief trip back to my roots

I spent most of my formative years in North Otago, but it was broad as I was often able to wander the length of the Waitaki Valley and the coastal regions.

Last weekend I had occasion to visit these old haunts in the context of attending my cousin Michael's birthday party.

Stopping to make some photos in nice light on the Lindis Pass...


Over the years I've occasionally stopped by some limestone cliffs beside the Kurow - Oamaru road to look at ancient Maori rock art. In more recent years it's been given the name Takiroa, and developed a little with fence stiles, and a track etc. I'd heard parts of the cliff had fallen down in the recent Christchurch earthquakes. Currently these large chunks interested me much more than the art...

Explanation here

The fenced area top right gives an idea of the scale...

Nearby I noticed this little cross lurking inconspicuously under an oak tree by the road edge. This type of memorial is quite common in these parts, but they're often hard to spot in the grass while speeding by. In this setting I was struck by the contrast of ancient shelter alongside the more contemporary memorial of warfare...


The Moeraki Boulders south of Oamaru are always worth a visit - they've been eroded out of the nearby cliffs by the actions of the sea over many years...

Explanation here