Overview
Sun. May. 27.
A fine morning, sunny + fairly calm. Walked down to Courtenay Place + took tram to Lyall Bay. Left terminus at 10.15am – followed beach to eastern end of bay. The old sea-cliffs are well inland + a wide strip of sloping raised shore-platform dotted with uplifted stacks extends seawards. One of these stacks at the fisherman’s village forms a rock-arch. Climbed hillside + took photo (18) looking towards promontories between Lyall + Island Bays showing long reefs of raised shore-platform + (19) the peninsula of raised shore-platform at fisherman’s village. Immediately east of the fisherman’s village the raised beach-ridge of 1855 is seen + a mound of raised beach of same date occurs on the peninsular area of raised shore-platform. At the sewer outfall I took photo (20) seagulls flying but they were too fast for my top speed. 1/100 sec. In the little bay west of Palmer Hd [Head], small sand-dunes occur + a stream flows out of the gully behind + on its eastern side the 1855 beach again becomes prominent. Here also the point of the old sea-cliff is separated from a massive uplifted stack by a gap. Photo (21) of Maud in this gap, showing a taupata growing on the bare rock of the uplifted stack. Through the gap we came out on the point
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called Palmer Head + here the raised beach-ridge of 1855 is a magnificent feature + a thing of beauty. Composed of bare, smooth cobbles it follows the curves of the shore. Recent shingle has been piled on the tip of Palmer Head (Point would be a more appropriate name) + then a long narrow stretch of raised shore-platform extends seawards. Photo (22) of 1855 beach looking towards Dorset Pt. [Point] from Palmer Hd. Lunched here. Proceeding, I took photo (23) of 1855 beach + Palmer Hd. reef from hillside, + as we went along we found the 1855 raised beach-ridge extended without interruption right to the west side of Breaker Bay. Photo (24) of 1855 beach in small bay north-east of Palmer Hd. from top of narrow rocky salient of hillside (old sea-cliff). In several places a mass of recent shingle has been piled up as a storm beach in front of the 1855 beach. One of the highest parts of the 1855 beach ridge occurs in the little bay west of Breaker Bay. Passed the big quarry + rock-crushing plant + followed road to Pass of [Branda?] In Breaker Bay the 1855 beach appears to have been covered by the recent storm-beach but we did not traverse the part of coast to make sure of this. One of the salient of the old sea-cliff in Breaker Bay has been pierced + forms an arch. Went through the cutting + sat on a seat + enjoyed view of harbour.
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Rain filled the Hutt Valley + was gradually approaching. A peculiar steely blue haze lay over the water + the islands, beacon +c stood out with singular clearness. Steeple rock is a prominent landmark + the adjacent beach is of shingle. Saw a four-masted sailing ship beyond Steeple Rock + inadvertently trespassed on a military reserve to get a photo of it (photo 25), Walked into Seatoun + caught tram to City. Heavy rain in evening but went to Wesley Church – found its former glory departed + only a handful of people in congregation.