Kaikoura... Kowhai River Walk

It was a cold wind today so we looked for somewhere sheltered

to go for a walk and ended up here... The Kowhai River bed.

The Kowhai River is a river of the northeast of New Zealand's 
 South Island. It flows south from the slopes of Manakau
 in the Seaward Kaikoura Range, turning southeast 
as it reaches its narrow coastal plain.

It's a dry desolate sort of place but it was sheltered and

the little dog that my friend Robin owns, that we were 

walking was in 7th heaven with all the smells and 

bushes to sniff and explore.

\

The lovely river willows in their autumn dresses.

Not a drop of water to be seen anywhere. There has been a 

drought all summer and although the average precipitation

for this area in the winter months is 100mm a month

there has continued to be no rain for a long time.

This walking track is also a bike track but we didn't meet 

anybody walking or biking or any dogs...

In the distance of this photo which is looking to the east

is SH 1 and the bridge that goes over this river...

I found this picture online when the river has got some water 

in it. The walking track goes this far, then under the

bridge to the golf course on the other side of the

road and out to the coast... But we didn't go that far.

We turned round and went back to the car... Other things

to do... I'm not sure what but it was a rather boring walk.