The Third Eye

Wellington's newest watering hole is in one of its oldest buildings. The heritage Boys' Institute building was forlorn and dilapidated when it was moved as part of the Inner City Bypass. Now it has been earthquake strengthened, restored and fitted out as a boutique brewery and bar by one of Wellington's earliest and best craft brewers, Tuatara. We popped in on the day after it opened for this selfie.

Today we went back for another taste.

The brewery is named after the endemic New Zealand reptile. Amongst its many unusual attributes is a parietal gland, the so-called third eye.

The brewery decided this was inspiration for a venue that could produce small batches of experimental brews and also supply the full range of its products.

We will be back.

Castlepoint

Located 60Km east of Masterton, Castlepoint is a small settlement near a magnificent stretch of coastline.

The lighthouse sits astride a small promontory. It was built as a beacon for ships arriving from South America, warning them to turn left for Wellington. 

There is an easy path up to it and the lookout beyond, with good views north along the Wairarapa coast towards the Hawkes Bay

and south towards Cook Strait.

The coastline is rugged.

South of the lighthouse is a lagoon and the impressive 160 metre high Castle Rock. Named, like so many things in New Zealand by James Cook, from it’s likeness (from the sea) to the ramparts of European fortifications.

The swell was crashing over the barrier to the lagoon. People often go fishing from the top and there have been several swept off by unexpectedly large waves. 

This is the sea stack at the entrance to the lagoon. 

No people today, but here is a red billed gull.