I was a bit of a tease when I gave you a sneak peak of the boathouses at Pauahatanui Inlet.  The row of boathouses are as ramshackled as most kiwi baches held together by all manner of materials. It is clear though that despite first appearances the people who owe these boathouses are a creative crowd with a wicked sense of humour.  Not to mention a passion for right colours.

Fortnum took a great deal of interest in these houses insisting he venture up to every front door and sniff them out.  If we’d let him we would have been there all day.

Nevertheless an errant dog dragging us up close was a pretty good excuse to get a closer look.

There were certainly lots of witty adornments to the houses and the owners had some ingenious uses for their boats.

Even if they are a little exuberant with their colour choices.

Despite the individualistic designs, the boathouses are a cheerful quirky landmark on the inlet landscape.  Well worth a stroll around just for their novelty value.

The inlet itself is a great place to explore and I’m sure we’ll be back soon to explore the wetland area a little further inland that is a wildlife reserve.  There’ll be plenty of basset sniffing opportunities amongst the reeds that’s a fact.