5 October 2015
15:20, 329547 kms, 21.5 degrees. Just waiting for Mike to hook up the trailer, using the new (& good) reversing camera. Late getting away because we were waiting for Maggie to come back from Auto Electrician who fitted said camera - & a 150W solar panel which we got from Burnsco for a ridiculous price. And, we now also have 2 bikes on the trailer which has been modified to take Mike's e-bike!! Now off over the hill and hoping we can find a nice sheltered spot by Lake Ruataniwha to tuck in away from the forecast NW gales expected this evening. We have only 1 "must-do" on this trip and that is to go to Brownie's 50th on 17 October. Left Alex 15:30 after filling up diesel & getting some last minute supplies from New World. 17:35 - in Omarama filling up the toys.
Uneventful trip over the hill. Leaving Omarama we were glad we weren't going much further as the road was closed after Twizel due to a crash.
Got water at Twizel and all set up, dogs fed and 1st beer in hand beside Lake Ruataniwha at the spot we found last time at 18:30. No real wind, & although a bit windy when we got here, that dropped very quickly and now a gorgeous evening. Watched TV, had pork sirloin, potatoes & coleslaw for tea, bed at 22:15.
6 October 2015
Up at 07:10 after a very restless night due to lots of noisy, gusty strong winds! 15 degrees though, so not cold! And when I got up the batteries were at 75%. By the time I'd made coffee, despite no direct sun, the batteries were at 100%!! Yihaa. Lovely sunny day so far - 11:00 - even if it is a bit windy. Took dogs for short walk to Ohau & on the way there Mike goes "oh no. I'm going to be towing a boat around and I can't use it!". The lifejacket is still in the garage - & attached to that lifejacket is the kill switch for the motor! So, on the phone to various people to organise Wendy picking up key & getting lifejacket couriered to Twizel!! Hahaha. While Wendy was at home also got her to turn modem back on so we can turn lounge aircon on if needed. Moved to a more sheltered spot by the boat ramps for a while, until that became too exposed, so moved again. Had wraps and our current favourite filling, Tuna pockets, for lunch. Now 15:15 and going to dump and then find where the Cains live as we've been invited for tea, along with Jo, so looking forward to that! Had a great evening, I got to bed at 23:00, Mike later.
7 October 2015
Up at 7am, warm (21 degrees) with wind picking up again. Not a bad night at all, considering we were parked on the road outside Mark & Deb's place! Forecast is for more gale westerlies today, easing this evening. Took dogs for walk round Twizel while Mike had a much needed sleep in! Then helped Mark sort out his sound system and then out for brunch at Shawty's. Now 11:15 and going to find somewhere sheltered to park for the rest of the day. Parked back at the Graves but still had to move a couple of times to ensure we were head on, as it really became horrible, wind wise, for a time.
But had a fish - nothing and even sat outside doing a bit of stitching. Took dogs for another walk along lake towards camping ground after winds had started to drop but just before rain arrived. Have company tonight - camper with number plate pyglet - who we've seen around before as well as yesterday has come and parked within talking distance. Despite having a HUGE area to park in, they are parked about 6 meters away! Oh well, safety in numbers!! Have had some rain, but now (19:50) that's gone too. Saw on news that there are bad fires at Dunback, Mosgiel and Rakaia - homes lost! Wind dropped right away and rain set in for a while. Had spaghetti and meatballs for tea, bed at 22:00.
8 October 2015
Up at 06:40, 5 degrees with a fresh, cold southerly. Now 10:05, dumped and had a look at the canals but white caps indicate we'd just be sitting inside watching the rods, so have decided to head towards Tekapo.
11:20 all set up at NZMCA Lake Tekapo. Only 8 degrees (bit of a shock after yesterday!) but we're pretty sheltered & it's a full on sunny day!! And funnily enough, we timed our arrival just right to walk into town for lunch at Kohan - our favourite Japanese restaurant. Ate it outside on the picnic tables as we had the dogs with us. On way back decided to go home via the walking track to Cowan's Hill. Awesome views and an awesome walk. Walked just over 7 km. Got back just after 14:00 & chilled for rest of day. Bbq chicken, spuds & salad for tea. Bed at 21:20. Oh, & it's 1 degree!
Friday 9 October 2015
Up at usual time of 06:20 to a rather cool minus 3! Did get up in the middle of the night to put jackets on dogs - Stoney didn't try to chew it off so it must've been welcome! 09:25 - have had breakfast, showers and now on our way to where it's warm - the East Coast. 11:00 - dumped our rubbish in Fairlie after stopping at Burke's Pass for a coffee - & a look round the collectables. And bought a toy bulldozer - just like one Mike had when he was a kid. Had $90 on it but talked her down to $80 because the driver has a broken arm. 12:30 - in Ashburton getting lunch (Chinese) & filling (water, diesel, cupboards!).
15:00 - all set up at Lake Ellesmere domain. An awesome, FREE spot! A stiff NW blowing but we're on the seaward side of the domain, sheltered from it so this will do very nicely for next couple of nights. Spent afternoon entertaining dogs, exploring the domain and taking dogs for an hours walk. Had steak & mushrooms for tea, bed at 22:00. And it is so cool to be somewhere new. Oh, & we are LOVING the solar panel! Power for Africa - despite charging everything all the time.
Saturday 10 October 2015
Up at 06:20 to a gorgeous sunrise and 4 degrees. Had breakfast (bacon and eggs and mushrooms) & then decided to go for a bike ride into Leeston as we'd forgotten to get Mike some tomato juice. Well, typical Canterbury - no signs at intersections and so ended up going the long long long way to Leeston. And when we did finally get there - power outage so tills not working so shops not open!!! Aaarrrgghh. AND the wind turned while we were out cycling - resulting in a headwind the whole circuit!!! Double aarrggghh. Oh well, one way of maintaining the benefits of the gym. AND we left the gas heating on - & windows open!! Triple aarrrgghhh. Anyway, wind is now coming straight in the door so will have lunch and look at moving to other side of domain. Duly moved and spent a relaxing rest of the day enjoying the lovely sun & warmth. Had meatballs & spaghetti for tea. Bed usual time.
Sunday 11 October 2015
Up at usual time - 10 degrees. Had avo/tomato/ham on toast for brekky. On the road at 07:53!! Into Lincoln via The Lake Rd to check out Coes Ford - huge grassy areas right beside the Selwyn River - looks lovely. Did some shopping, got more gas & dumped in Lincoln. And while finding the dump station, the fridge door swung open & veggies piled out on to the floor. No worries, just stuff them all back in. But, the avocado escaped - & was found several minutes later in Stoney's mouth! So now we have a round avocado - it's missing the neck! Hopefully he won't get an upset stomach from the skin.
11:20 - washing done, on our way to Coes Ford because it's a gorgeous day and we have washing to hang out! Washing on the line and all set up by 12:15. But after a while we figured out we were right between 2 access ways and this place is humming, so we moved across the paddock away from the high traffic zone. Spent rest of day enjoying the weather - glorious 23 degree sunny day with a light breeze to keep things very comfortable. Pork sirloin & spuds done on bbq with a salad for tea. Bed normal time.
Monday 12 October 2015
Up at 05:50 (back a bit sore!) to 4 degrees and clear skies. Walked dogs around the park looking for a dog walk track but nothing. Had the usual breakfast, showers and then in to Lincoln so Mike could get his broken filling fixed. While he was at the dentist I walked the dogs round Lincoln for 40 minutes & then retreated to the shade of Maggie as it was getting very warm - too warm to be walking the dogs around in an area without shade! The forecast is for strong NW but we're keen to go for a bike ride before the southerly front spoils things for a couple of days, so we decided to go to Motukarara Racecourse which we know is sheltered - & also the start of the off road section of the Little River Rail Trail. Left Lincoln at 10:30 & all set up by about 11:15.
Took dogs for another walk around the domain and down to the restored Motukarara Railway station. Got back, had lunch and then spent the next 2 hours 25 minutes cycling! Easy going to Birdling Flat with a tail wind and an 18km punch into a headwind on the way back. Mike used a fair bit of battery coming back and drafting for me as we got the house batteries down to 50% - despite the solar panel still charging - recharging the bike's battery! Talked to Neil & his wife (cute old but beautiful bus with Ruby the cat on board) for a while. Had chicken cordon blue for tea with broccoli & a salad. Early to bed at 21:30.
Tuesday 13 October 2015
Up at 06:00 - 9 degrees & overcast. Started to drizzle & got underway at 08:00 to head into town to wash sheets/towels. Did some shopping, including baskets for cleaning stuff to hand on the inside of the doors for Maggie and home at Bunnings. Checked out Torpedo 7, Animates. Got lunch at BK. Dumped at Rolleston and back to Coes Ford for rest of day.
Rain gone, sun out now but cool (&thankfully dying!) westerly. Took dogs for walk exploring camp and along road & then did our normal chill & enjoy. Had pork korma curry for tea, bed at 21:20.
Wednesday 14 October 2015
Up at 06:00. Avo & tomato on toast for brekkie. Moving at 08:20 to do some shopping before heading inland to Ashley Gorge - another place we've never been to. It's another glorious spring day! 11:00 all set up at Ashley Gorge Motor Camp.
Very peaceful, gorgeous spot. Walked dogs here and there, including up a track on other side of the river which is still being made - not a success as too much bramble and too many straight down to the water cliffs to try and walk with a mostly blind dog! Did some washing & chilled. And then we discovered that our walk down the river tracks and up to the cliff had resulted in sheep shit on our shoes - & all over the bottom of our jeans. So, another load of washing was done. Did our normal relax/walks for rest of arvo. Steak & mushrooms AND ASPARAGUS for tea - YUM! Bed at 22:00.
Thursday 15 October 2015
Up at 06:00 - 6 degrees and a bit foggy. Had dribbly showers, poached eggs with left over mushies and now 09:00 & filling with water before we head off in the direction of Glentui to check that out, after which we'll head back towards Waimakariri to start getting closer to Coleridge. Glentui Picnic area is accessed via a narrow dirt road. There is one place that is flat enough to park. Lots of tramping tracks and a cute waterfall.
Stopped and had a latte and shared a yummy but unusual raspberry/choc/coconut slice. Got some more beer and some party supplies at Fresh Choice and carried on to explore yet more new territory - had seen Whitecliffs Domain in the TD.
All set up and having lunch at 12:48 in a lovely setting, right beside a gorgeous little river called the Selwyn (same as Coes Ford) with views to the surrounding hills through the trees. Went for walk down the main road and back and did the usual afternoon relax stuff. Lovely place! Pork & asparagus for tea, bed at 22:00.
Friday 16 October 2015
Up at 06:45 (!!) to a gorgeous, gorgeous morning! Avo and tomato toast for brekkie. Now 09:30 & on our way, after giving Stoney's head and ears a quick wash after he tried to make himself smell like a dead baby bird! 16.5 degrees already and dressed in shorts from the get go for the first time this season! Battled nasty NW crosswind into Methven. Dumped & filled then took dogs for 8km walk round the outskirts before having lunch at Arabica Cafe (delish laksa for me & BLT for Mike). Now 14:00 and battling gusty, horrible winds to get to Lake Coleridge. Really hoping the pinot gris I had at lunch has a calming effect so I don't freak out as much when we turn and they become crosswinds!! And the answer to that was no. Worse trip ever, anywhere. Thank god it was only short. The last bit into Lake Coleridge had me really thinking we were going to tip over - despite only doing 50km. Even Mike looked tense and worried. Anyway, we got there in the end! Spent test of day catching up with everyone, bed early at 22:00.
Saturday 17 October 2015
Up at usual time and decided to take the dogs for a walk before the rain arrived. Ended up going past the Lodge and into the arboretum, where Mike decided to let Stoney lead the way. Wrong! Hehe. Stoney took us straight UP. 304 meters further we got to the surge chambers for the power station! Views from up here were stunning - all the way up, down & across the valley - but neither of us had bought our phones, so no photos! But beside the track was a 4wd road, so I decided I would come back later on, on my bike. Which I did - after breakfast and after the rain had gone. After that, we spent the afternoon helping get stuff ready for the party and then boogied the night away. I came home first at midnight - Mike followed later!
Sunday 18 October 2015
Awoken at 07:05 by a massive thunder clap! Had woken a bit earlier because it had started to rain, but what a rude awakening! At midnight it was clear and 4 degrees. At 5am in was 14 degrees and now, at 08:00 it's 10 degrees, still rumbling and raining. Going to be a quiet indoors kinda day, I think! And it was. Decided not to move as the wind got up again - seriously! We were not keen to repeat the trip in in reverse, so stayed put. Quiet day just hanging with friends. And bed at 21:00 for me, 22:00 for Mike.
Monday 19 October 2015
Up at normal time, 7 degrees and a light breeze. Will have breakfast and showers and then move. 08:50 - said our goodbyes and now on our way East as that's where the weather map says we should be! 11:50 - have dumped/filled in Methven, done shopping & got diesel in Ashburton and now on SH1 heading to Rakaia Huts. A couple of nights beside the sea is sounding like us! Got to Rakaia Huts at 12:30. Stripped the bed, had tuna wraps for lunch and then took dogs for walk along the beach, which became a plus/minus 8km walk round the block! While I remade the bed and chilled, Mike went a bike ride - as in a quad bike ride - to check out the mouth of the Rakaia. 2.5kms away - which makes the fact that we can hear it highlight the amount of rain that came down up country over the weekend. It never adversely affected us, but it did pour down in the early hours of Sunday morning. When we drove across the Rakaia at the Rakaia Gorge on Friday it was that normal floury blue you get in snow melt fed rivers. Today it was way higher, & brown! The westerly really picked up while Mike was away and didn't drop 'til about 20:00. Had pork, asparagus & spuds for tea & hit the pit somewhere around 22:00.
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Up at 6am after the best night's sleep - well for me, anyway! Lazed around and waited for cloud to disappear and wind to drop. When it did we attached trailer to quad and took it down to the lagoon so I could row for the Pulse Fitness 10 weeks of Fitmas Challenge I started last week (that was all walking, so easy on a camper, but this one is swimming, kayaking or rowing). Did 5.1km and got blisters! Had lunch and then Mike took boat round the lagoon (with motor) while I sat and stitched and mucked around. Had showers - & they didn't disappoint! Still the best value camp showers we have found. Oodles of time, oodles of pressure and oodles of hot water. Had steak, mushies & spuds for tea and bed at our usual time!
Wednesday 21 October 2015
Up at 06:40 after another good night's sleep. 7 degrees, beautiful clear, calm morning. But we know it's not going to stay that way - forecast is for 23 degrees and a screaming NW - forecast to get to 130kph. So we decided last night we'd stay here another day. Awesome spot, so no hardship. Attempted another row - managed to sneak in 2.3km before the wind got too much. So will take dogs for a walk at some stage but otherwise it should be a cruisy day. Ended up moving one spot over - good decision as we were perfectly sheltered from some fairly serious gusts. But apart from the wind it was a gorgeous day and spent a fair bit outside. Had chicken and bean salad for tea, bed at around 22:00.
Thursday 22 October 2015
Up just after 06:00. Rained, as forecast by Mike, during the night (@ 1 stage it was 18 degrees in the middle of the night!) but now dry, overcast and 9 degrees. Had usual brekkie of eggs/bacon/mushies, now dumping and on our way (09:00). Stopped in Temuka to do some grocery shopping (easy carpark to get in/out of) & Timaru to get lunch. Which we did - noodle canteen - after a quick shopping trip to Farmers for some T-shirts for Mike, and some smaller bras and some gym gear for me. Got to Wildlife at 16:10 - a big day behind the windscreen! 16 degrees and lovely in the sun and out of the stiff southerly which was making it quite chilly on the coast. Had filet mignon for tea with mashed spuds/kumara.
Friday 23 October 2015
Up at 06:40 to a cool but clear day. Had showers and on the road at 09:10 to dump and then we have a breakfast date at Wrinkly Rams before heading home. It's been a fabulous trip with great weather - yay! Explored old and new places, caught up with old friends and made new ones, did new things like cycling the Little River Rail Trail & rowing in a lagoon, and enjoyed doing old things like just living the Maggie lifestyle! Couldn't ask for any better. Home 12:10, 1504kms done.
09:10 - breakfast at The Courthouse - hehe we didn't get very far! Had a wonderful day in Dunedin (bought my new bike on the way to the concert), followed by an even more wonderful concert! 
