Greymouth.

What did the six of us have for an early lunch today? We couldn’t resist some whitebait patties just one more time, served in lovely fresh bread. I think it’s time we decided to give these delicacies away don’t you?

It was to be a tour of Greymouth today, out along the very high flood wall to the harbour entrance. Over the years Greymouth has suffered some big floods but the Grey river stop bank was raised by about 10 feet and to date there has been no further flooding.

Greymouth flood protection wall.

Further down river at the harbour entrance is the famous Greymouth river bar where many ships have come to grief trying to enter the harbour.

The swell across the Greymouth bar.

With the coal from the West Coast now being railed to Lyttleton on the East Coast for shipping overseas it’s mainly fishing boats using the harbour these days.

Memorial to the victims of the Greymouth bar into the harbour.North side of the Greymouth harbour entrance.

The old mining town of Runanga was next on our tour. For a small town the main street was extremely wide and there were many shops that had served a much larger community in the past but have long since closed and made into residential properties. Standing high and proud is the Runanga Community Hall which looked out of place due to its sheer size.

Seen in Runanga. All is not as its seems as its closed due to earthquake risk.

Unfortunately there was a notice on the door to say the building was closed as being an earthquake risk. High up on the frontage was painted the words “Miners Hall”. Opened 2nd December 1908, a reminder of the history of the stand for better working conditions for miners and workers in general.

Broad main street of Runanga.