Farewell Dad 25 June to 3 July 2016

25 June 2016
12:30 334728kms. 6 degrees. Overcast. We returned from our cruise to discover Dad had died while we were away and so we are off to Blenheim to catch up with Angie, who will be travelling down from Havelock North, where she now lives. Such a sad feeling - not just Dad, but also because this is the first trip without Roxie, who died, at home, on 2 June. 14:00 - have dropped in for a quick visit with Kirsty & Carter to drop off souvenirs, got supplies at Cromwell NWD & had a bento box lunch from the Japanese shop sitting beside the lake and now onwards. 16:20 - all went well until we hit thick fog just before Twizel and which is still with us coming into Tekapo. Stopped in Twizel because we discovered there was no water in the flush tank and Mike decided we weren't having a stir fry or Thai anything for tea - we were having meatballs and spaghetti!!  Have decided that we need to get over Burke's Pass before we stop for the night as the forecast for Tekapo is for overnight snow, turning to rain tomorrow. We don't want to get stuck on the wrong side of the Pass as we have Maggie booked in for an overdue service (were going to do that once we were all sorted after the cruise) in Christchurch on Monday at 11am. Filled up with 40L at McKeown's in Fairlie at 17:00 & carrying on as it's very low cloud and drizzling and Mike has decided he's not staying anywhere foggy! 18:00 - parked at Ealing for the night. That's far enough for today! Bed at 21:00 - both tired!

Sunday 26 June 2016
Up to heavy rain at 05:37, so we moved onto hard ground & went back to bed 'til 08:10! Lazed around while having coffees and now 09:30!!! & on our way, via the back road which runs paralell to SH1 & the railroad. But then again, no. It went inland, so took next turn right to join SH1 into Ashburton for breakfast. Stopped at Lushington's garden centre and Cafe for a huge and delicious eggs bennie. Ranks up there with the best! Then on to Chch to buy a phone to HDMI cable as Mike had a brainwave last night: we can watch Skygo on the TV if we can hook the phone to the TV. And we can watch video too! Guys at Jaycar super helpful - even came out to Maggie to set it up and test it before we paid for it. Then out to The Groynes to let Stoney run and on to Kim & David's for a cuppa. Left there at 15:40. After trying unsuccesfully to find somewhere with parking where we could buy a takeaway, we drove on to Weedons. Went to take Stoney for a quick walk round the back & ran straight into a a couple from the cruise! Had no lunch so have just devoured a packet of pistachio nuts with our 1st beer! Had patak's butter chicken for tea and read for a while while Mike watched a movie.

Monday 27 June
Awake at 7am after a mediocre night. Woke up at 4:40 because one of the roof vents was flapping furiously due to the wind increasing, & couldn't get back to sleep for ages. 7.5 degrees but a stiff SW wind means it's bitterly cold out. Had breakfast & showers, filled & dumped and headed into town at 10:10 to take Maggie to Armstrong Prestige for a service. And to our dismay, unlike at Hansens, we weren't allowed to stay on board, so walked through Hagley Park to the other end of Riccarton and back again, had lunch at The Running Bull before walking all the way around Hagley Park again to pick Maggie up at 13:45! And because it's been so wet, we are now all muddy, with Stoney wet and muddy up to his armpits! 16:10 - at Peketa. We need to do some washing, given that everything got muddy today. We thought we had enough clothes - & we did, we just hadn't counted in such a crappy day in Chch! Had Pad Thai for tea and bed about 21:30.

28 June 2016
Up at 7am after a good night's sleep for me but Mike was woken up by traffic. Overcast and 10 degrees. Did a load of washing, had showers and breakfast. 10:35 have filled and dumped and got 20L of diesel to get us to Blenheim as the Kaikoura McKeown's site is down today. Now about to do some shopping at NWD before carrying on north. 12:40 - filled up with diesel at the Riverlands Caltex Truckstop just outside Blenheim. Went to the Warehouse as we needed a small extension cord for the new heater (1st time we used it was yesterday at Peketa (the other one all of a sudden refused to go & we suspect the cause was an accumulation of dust as it travels under one of the seats. So I made a bag for this one out of thermal curtain leftovers from shortening the ones in the spare bedroom in Clyde!)). Bought a BK burger for a late lunch & drove out to Rarangi to eat it & give Stoney a walk. Then decided we may as well stay here for a while and chill. Which we did - read & nana-napped until 16:30-ish, when we drove to the local pub at Spring Creek for a shared jug. Had a play and walked out with $160 in our pockets! Back to Rarangi for the night. Avo & ham on toast for tea (still full from lunch so didn't want much) & bed at 22:30.

29 June 2016
Up late at 07:15 to an overcast sky, light drizzle & 9 degrees. Will have breakfast and showers and then touch base with Angie & see what we're up to. And then it started to rain, & rain, & rain. Did stop - at around 4pm. Anyway, caught up with Angie, sat and talked for a couple of hours before driving out to Wairau Wines for a beautiful lunch. Then walked round the shops looking for the boots I'd seen in Cromwell - no luck. Dropped Angie off at her car at 16:00 & headed round to Gaye & Brownie's, who have just moved to Blenheim! Said hi & said we'd be back after setting up camp & taking Stoney for a walk at the racecourse, 1 street over. The racecourse is a complete bog - & we also discovered we didn't have the right change, so off to the Mobil garage to dump and get a $10 note. Back to racecourse, set up on tarseal. Took Stoney for a walk around the racecourse - what a mess! The gallops side had long, very wet grass on top of a 6 inch bog. The trots side was that wet even Stoney left footprints that immediately filled with water! Mike went round to Gaye & Brownie's but I stayed because after Stoney being left alone for large parts of today I wasn't leaving him alone again given how unhappy he has been to be left alone since Roxie died. Next thing, Mike arrives back with Brownie & Gaye in tow! Very cool. Brownie did say it's been raining pretty much non-stop since he moved here 6 weeks ago! And then the gas heating stopped going. And then started again! Sat and chatted to them for an hour or so and after they left I put the jug on. No gas!! Bugger. Thankfully it may be wet and raining but it's not cold!!

30 June 2016
Up at 07:15 and immediately packed things away to drive to the nearest bottle swap station to get some gas so we can make a cuppa! Went to the Watery Mouth Cafe for breakfast instead, after getting a new gas bottle. Then did a quick shop at Countdown before starting the 247km trip to Westport as we'd decided that that's where the weather was going to be better. And no sooner had we left Blenheim and the sun came out!! Stopped at the world's flashest public toilets beside the lake at St Arnaud at 11am before carrying on. Decided at the "do we go left or right" intersections to keep going right and visit Bob D at Waimangaroa. Called in and made sure it was ok with him before heading up to the Denniston Plateau as it was a beautiful day (sunny &16 degrees in Westport) & I had never seen the views from up there. Stunning is the only way to describe it. The views are never ending. And a completely different feeling compared to being up there shrouded in mist. Got back just on 16:30 - time for drinkies!  Washed one of the back seat covers as poor wee Stoney was carsick coming through the Buller.  We had bought extra steak, brussels, bacon and spuds in Westport and Mike cooked them up on Bob's bbq - delish. I went to bed at 21:30, Mike followed not long after.

1 July 2016
Up at 07:15 after an ok night - quite windy but not too cold (at home it's -4.7 according to the metservice app, which means it's actually about minus 8 at home!). Will head off to Nelson Creek today - a spot recommended by Ken Roberts - before heading back over Arthurs Pass and heading home as the weather is set to deteriorate again. Mike cooked breakfast for us - bacon, eggs, mushies & steak after which we took Stoney for a quick blatt on the beach (going down Newcastle and Sunderland Streets to get there!!) before heading back to Westport at 11am for more supplies. And just like that it's midday. Where does time go when you're on a maggot? Anyway, just putting some diesel in the tank before heading south and slightly inland. Oh, actually, just one more stop. There was no hose at the dumpstation at New World, so round to Countdown to fill the water tank. Awesome trip down the coast with jawdropping scenery and vistas - something we've never really seen as this is the 1st time it's not raining! Stopped in Rapahoe to have a late lunch of cheerios, cuppa soup & bread - carried on at 14:05. By 15:45 we had found Nelson Creek Recreation Reserve and parked up, walked around the Reserve and the local area and got the jug on. Lovely spot - can imagine it would be very popular in summer with the creek and numerous walking tracks. Coolest it's been all trip - the roadside verges on the shady side are still white with frost, as are areas in the reserve and it's only 6 degrees. Chilled for a bit, had a cup of tea & then walked up the wee hill to the Pub, where we had 2 jugs while chatting with the friendly locals. Awesome atmosphere! Good old fashioned country pub. Got back to find a quiet Stoney, greeting us with a toy. Yay, maybe he's finally getting used to be an only dog!  Had spaghetti and meatballs for tea - & all the time we're eating the temperature kept rising. Was 3 degrees when we walked to the pub and 5 degrees by the time we went to bed, with the occasional light shower.

2 July 2016
Up at 6:40 because Stoney obviously needed out. Raining - & has been off and on all night - & 5 degrees. Left at we don't know what time via the back roads to Bell Hill & Rotomanu to come out at Jackson's. And as soon as we'd come over Arthurs Pass the sun came out YAY! Had to do an emergency stop just before the big climb up to Otira as Stoney needed out - we think he was a bit carsick again, as well as needing a toilet stop. Stopped in Springfield for lunch - Mike had discovered one of the local shops had really good home made pies on the last jet boating trip. I had a salmon one, Mike a venison. I can honestly say it was the best pie ever! Creamy, full of flavour and exactly the right temperature.
Stopped in Mayfield to get diesel & to check out the 2nd hand place called overflow. Carried on at 14:25. Got to Lake Opuha just before 16:00 (after taking a wrong turn and ending up at the dam, & then getting to a closed gate for the North Side so round by the boat ramp. Took Stoney for a walk round further - the lake is still extremely low! Absolutely freezing - have sore toes now as they got so cold - even though thermometer said it was 7 degrees (although it is now rapidly dropping and in the time it's taken my to type this has dropped 2 degrees!). And it kept dropping - right down to minus 2.7 by 19:00, only to then start climbing again, thankfully! Had steak and a yummy brussel sprouts, mushies & bacon mix. Bed at 21:30.

3 July 2016
Up at 06:30 - plus 1 degree! Home day today. Quite looking forward to getting home now - apart from 1 night when we got back from the cruise we haven't been home since 11 June. And we know, thanks to Stoney being stressed out while we were away, despite having Jade there to look after him, that we have some serious cleaning to do at home! Left at 08:15 - just as the sun hit the snow-capped hills. Stopped at Tekapo to dump and have breakfast. Had eggs bennie at Run 76. Well, sort of eggs bennie as there were no greens. But it did have a delicious hollandaise made with whole grain mustard! Left at 09:30 and had a straight run through apart from 1 bad asian driver. Temperature along the route fluctuated from minus 0.5 and a hoar frost at Twizel to 9.5 into the Lindis! Home at midday, 6 degrees, 2060 kms done.

Salmon fishing take 2 - 22 to 25 April 2016

Friday 22 April 2016
11:51 - just filled up with diesel (334299 kms) & off back to the canals to try and catch those very elusive yet visible salmon! Gorgeous autumn day, 18 degrees and sunny. Forecast is for rain tomorrow afternoon but looks like it might miss Twizel.  Had lunch at the Wrinkly Rams - the usual. Then stopped at the rest area opposite the Ohau skifield turn off to catch up with Kum & David. 
And it's now 16:15 and have filled with water, parked at The Grave & taken the dogs for a walk along the lake track. Now chill time! Which we successfully did, although there was 1 moment of WTF when someone knocked on our back window. An Asian tourist wanting to know if he could park here (in a big CSC van) & where to pay.  Had lovely lamb steak, new potatoes and asparagus (what is this, spring or autumn?) for tea, bed at about 10pm.

Saturday 23 April 2016

Woke up at 5:15 to the sound of rain. Back to sleep. Woke up at 6:15 to the sound of heavier rain. Back to sleep. Woke up at 6:55 because there was no rain! 10 degrees & a spectacular sunrise. And we were joined by several other vans during the night!  Beautiful sunrise through the clouds this morning!
Went up to the canal (above Ohau A) and although there was the occasional shower it wasn't anything like as bad as the weather forecast had indicated this morning.  I had no luck but Mike - well, he only landed the biggest fish of his life! A whopping 7.25lb salmon.  And in front of a very appreciative audience!  No more fish - but that's ok - the one we have was enough.  Thoroughly enjoyed the sashimi (& a beautiful piece of Puhoi Triple Cream brie) for pre dinner snacks, followed by fresh salmon and asparagus - yep, again - for tea! YUMMO.

Moonset

Sunday 24 April 2016
Another gorgeous day in the making, albeit a somewhat cool start on minus 1.  No fish!  And occasionally if got a bit windy, but we persevered.  Caught up with Jo who came out for a coffee.  
Back to the same spot as where we parked on the first night - simply to be able to hunker behind a bank and a tree to get out of a by now pesky blustery breeze.  More shashimi and brie for pre-dinner snacks but steak and salad for tea.  










Monday 25 April 2016
Bugger - another lovely day and we have to go home.  When it's this nice, you really don't want to!  Went to dump in Twizel but took one look at the queue and thought "Nah, we'll dump in Cromwell".  Stopped in to see K&D&C but just a quick stop as they had another 2 people there so it felt a bit crowded.  Off to the Cromwell dump station - same as Twizel!  So off to Alex - yay, straight in - and perfect timing too as 2 other people pulled up not long after us!  20 degrees at home and got back just after 12:30.

A wee break over the hill 14 to 16 April 2016

14 April 2016
Off for a couple of days break over the hill to do some fishing. Left after organising repairs to Murano & garage door (Mike) after I backed into the garage with the door not completely up (dinging both car and garage door) & selling raffle tickets for Victim Support at New World from 9:30 - 10:30 (me).  Stopped at Wrinklies for the standard lunch. Also went into Twizel to see if they had a wee storage think for worm lines - nothing - before parking up at Ohau B. 

Not a thing, & breeze got up so left around 4pm to go and park up at our favourite spot beside Lake Ruataniwha. Spent the next while enjoying warm sun and chilling. As soon as sun set at 17:35 the temp dropped markedly so we moved inside not long after. Waiting to see if we can see the Aurora as it was supposedly spectacular last night & there's still a chance tonight. No aurora but we did have a lovely tea of Japanese coleslaw and bbq chicken. Bed at 21:30 ish.

15 April 2016

Up at 7:40 after a good sleep - yay, first sleep in for weeks! 2.4 degrees, clear calm and sunny. It's going to be a good day! Apart from the fact that not only did I forget the eggs - I also didn't bring the tomato sauce. Sacrilege - I am not flavour of the month right now lol. Fished above Ohau A all day. 

I caught 3 fish - none legal and 2 only just over chocolate fish size. Beautiful day though - shorts, t-shirts.& jandals weather (except for Mike, who forgot to pack his jandals! This is the "forgot to pack" trip!). Brownie & Gaye called past to say hi on their way to Central and then we packed up to dump and buy some eggs. 

Back to beside Lake Ruataniwha (but further out so as to catch earlier sun tomorrow morning) wjere we sat outside in our shorts (! - it's half way into autumn!) til sundown. Met a local couple with a black cocker and talked to them for a while too. Bed at about 21:30.

Saturday 16 April 2016

Up at 06:50 as Roxie needed out. 3 degrees and calm. Going to be another good day. Will have a wee fish before heading home to get ready for shift tomorrow. Fished til 11:45 - nothing. Another glorious morning and a bit bummed reality beckons. 

Called in and saw Bones & Debs for 20 minutes or so before hitting the road. Stopped at Ahuriri for a lunch of leftovers and now 13:30 & carrying on to Cromwell to do some shopping.

Poolburn for the night 30 March 2016

30 March 2016
Couldn't get away yesterday as Kirsty, Dale & Carter were with us! But now 11:25, 10.5 degrees (but feels warmer) & we're hoping to catch a few fish before the end of the season. All set up with a worm in the water by 12:30. Fished and relaxed for the rest of the day - no fish though but a beautiful, if somewhat cool day. Had steak, mushroom sauce and fresh corn for tea.  Bed at around 22:00 - 8 degrees and dropping!

31 March 2016
Up at 07:45 - completely fogged in and 2.5 degrees. Fog burnt off and we fished til midday - nothing. Didn't want worms, wet flies, dry flies or 6 different lures. So we decided we may as well head home and get ready for work tomorrow!

Away - finally! 26 to 28 February 2016

26 February 2016
14:00 28 degrees, 332940kms. Off over the hill as we just want a relaxing weekend away in Maggie. She was used 2 weekends ago to transport my bike, Rosa & I to Gore so I could compete in a MTB race (& have the luxury of having a shower afterwards before the trip home!). Anyway, there's a fishing comp over at Ohau C so we're going to hopefully join in the fun!!  Quite a windy trip over. Ended up parking in Jo's driveway for the night as Mark & Debbie were also up so we all met at the pub.

27 February 2016
Up at 06:30 as I had forgotten to turn the alarm off. Very warm night but slept ok-ish. Clear skies and still watm and windy.  Left Jo's around 10am , filled with water & went to find somewhere sheltered to park. Ohau C campsite wasn't quite doing it for us, so decided to head off down towards Falston. WRONG! The corrugations were bad bad bad and when we got to Totara Peak Station and the associated campground there was a sign saying No dogs. So, back we go. As we got back towards Ohau C, I asked Mike to look and see if there was room right on the point. And there was. 

Perfect spot! Relaxed and watched worms drown 'til 14:30 when Mike decided the wind had dropped enough to take the boat out, so now I'm watching my worm while he's trying to get the motor going. No fish but lovely afternoon. Caught up with the gang from the Club as they fished off the point. No fish bar one of the lads running round in the nuddy with bells on his dick yelling "fish on, fish on" - funny as! Bed after dinner of steak & corn.

28 February 2016
Up at 07:15. 7.5 degrees but clear and calm. Went to make a coffee and ... no water! Pump not going. After walking to nearest tap and having a coffee, Mike hunted around and sure enough - one of the wires to the pump must have shook loose in yesterday's corrugations!  After breakfast (the usual) Mike went fishing and YAY caught one. Entered it into the comp at the weigh in at midday and now (13:00) packing up to head into Twizel to dump (can't get near the one here due to boat trailers parked across the access!), say happy birthday to Jo & pick up water bottle then off to Cromwell to get shopping and birthday present for Kirsty and then home. Awesome quick trip away! Oh, we did stop on way home for a seafood chowder late lunch at the Wrinklies! YUM.

Poolburn 29 to 31 January 2016

29 January 2016
A blog entry with a difference: I have no idea what time we left, what the temp was or anything.  Because I rode my MTB out, & Mike followed after he'd done the shopping, filled with water etc.  We met up at the last cattle stop (he overtook me coming up the road into Poolburn - just before the climbing gets serious) by Frog  - or Rabbit - Rock at 14:30. Took me 2 hours 50 minutes. 

Anyway, last time we were up here we'd gone exploring on our bikes (well, the quad & my MTB) with Stoney and found a bay away from all the huts etc. that took our fancy. To get there you hang right immediately after the cattle stop, up a steepish hill really meant for 4WD's (but Maggie can go anywhere! & speed is always the answer!! LOL) and then you drop down to lake level. Awesome spot, even though it's blowing a decent southerly breeze. Nice to be away from other people, huts & roads. The wind steadily increased - as it does up here - & Mike got the quad off the trailer to see if there was anywhere else. He came back with a "well, there's better places & there's worse places, so we'll just stay here". Which was fine - happy to spend the rest of the day lazing & playing with the dogs in Maggie's lee anyway! Had steak, mushroom sauce and fresh beans for tea & climbed into bed at 22:20.

30 January 2016
Up at 07:15 (telling Roxie to go back to sleep works these days!) to 5.4 degrees - brrrr (the dogs were clipped the day before yesterday & I'm glad I put their coats on them before we went to bed!) - & a light breeze and fog drifting down the lake across from us. Perfect weather for a lazy morning. The forecast is for the cloud to burn off! And it did. We fished all afternoon - caught 1 each. Had pork, spuds and beans on bbq for tea - yum.

31 January 2016
Up at 07:15 - yep, telling dogs to go back to sleep works! Another cool morning but gloriously clear and still. Fished for a while - but we had no  worms left and gulp just doesn't live up to it's hype (outfishes all other bait). I hopped on my bike and rode home (1:49). Awesome wee break!

Heading N&E to end up in Maheno for Mark's 50th.

12 January 2016
13:40, 331697kms, 28 degrees. After a mammoth session getting the watering system extension to outside the back gate finished this morning we're off to go and fill at McKeown's & then do some shopping before heading towards Roxburgh/Lawrence. 16:40 - all ready for a party for 2 (it is my birthday, after all!) at Grey's Dam. The delay between leaving home & here was getting a haircut, finding a card/pressie for Mark and filling the gas bottle (just as well we did, only 1kg left!). Spent an enjoyable afternoon outside, relaxing in the warm but overcast day. And at exactly 19:00, as forecast, it started to drizzle. By 19:30 it had turned to rain. So maybe the Angus beef patties for our burgers & fresh corn might be cooked in the frypan, not on the bbq.  Went to bed about about 10pm, fell asleep to the sound of rain - for once a nice sound as it's been so long and desperately needed.

13 January 2016
Up at 06:18 after a good night's sleep, interrupted only by a heavy downpour at about 3am. Noticeably cooler with 6.5 degrees, a light southerly and overcast conditions. Dumping before finding somewhere for breakfast and then hitting the road. Had a nothing spectacular but pleasant enough (& cheap) breakfast at The Wild Walnut (eggs bennie with ham for me, omelette for Mike) and now off to explore in the direction of Lake Mahinerangi. Oh, bought a wee knitting kit for a cute possum wool teddy bear! 

11:55 - parked up beside the Lake Mahinerangi Dam, after a bit of an adventure getting here! The climb out of Lawrence to the top was decent - but we drove past the turn off to the Dam (it's not marked at all) and ended up being committed to carry on, despite a sign saying "road not suitable for articulated or longer than 9m vehicles". Ended up in Waipori Falls village where you now can't get down to the power station at all - & that would have been the perfect place to turn around. Oh well, 3 point turn round a corner & up the road to the village, followed by a very, very steep (1st gear in some places) climb back out. Took the road to the right opposite the sign that said "Lawrence". Single lane, gravel road but it looked promising as it was at least going in the direction of the lake. And after a kilometre or so of suspense: yay, the beautiful Mahinerangi Domain Picnic area. Found a spot sheltered from the nasty southerly and the sun is now out and 23 degrees (although the thermometer is in the sun!).  20:00 & it's 8 degrees outside - brrrr! Spent afternoon totally relaxing: sleeping (Mike), knitting (me) interspersed with the occasional walk. Had a couple of mini showers and the wind stayed chilly all afternoon but we enjoyed the afternoon nonetheless! Having identical tea to last night.  Planning to stay here tomorrow. No cell coverage at all (which made us laugh about the sign on the dam saying that we should dial 111 in case of emergency) but still keen to go exploring - with care - on my bike for a bit tomorrow! Hit the pit at 22:20, temperature had by now dropped to 8 degrees.

14 January 2016
Up at 5:30 because Roxie needed out, 5 degrees so back to bed! Up again at 07:15 - only 8 degrees! Wind has turned and now coming down the lake directly at us, and we are considering moving after we've had breakfast, as it's now 09:15 & still only 12 degrees even though it's a beautiful sunny day. Forecast is for today to be hot in Central, so will head to lower altitudes to enjoy that while we can because the forecast isn't great for the next few days! And then the wind dropped and things heated up so decided to stay put after all. It is a gorgeous, peaceful spot so why move if the weather's good?!  Spent another wonderfully relaxing afternoon enjoying the weather! Tried to catch a fish - nothing. Had chicken, sweetcorn and potato wedges for tea and went to bed at 21:30.

15 January 2016
Up at 06:20 after a somewhat restless night due to high winds. Only the really big gusts hit us, but the forest around us just roared at times. Quite a change weather-wise to yesterday - overcast but 18 degrees this morning! That was until we left the shelter of our camping spot! We left at 07:30 & away from the shelter of the trees it was only 13 degrees. Needless to say our shorts & t-shirts felt very minimalist when we stopped to read the info board about the old Waipori Township, which was flooded in 1920 to create the lake for power generation. Got to Middlemarch just after 9am, after some very steep hilly roads! No 4 Square or anything. Checked out the Kissing Café but didn't do it for us - nothing much on offer and the whole place stunk of red onions - so round to the other Café we'd seen as we were casing the joint. But despite an open sign on the footpath, they were closed. So off to dump, & wash the mud off everything on the trailer, before going to the dairy to buy at least some milk & then we'll park beside the start of the railtrail to cook our own breakfast! Oh, & I was keen to ride from Middlemarch to Hyde but it's just miserable outside. 15 degrees isn't so bad - but with a serious southerly it's not great either. And ok, it would have been a tail wind the whole way to Hyde - but I reckon it would have been a cold trip, so will save it til the next time! And we didn't cook breakfast - had pies instead! And while eating them the rain arrived! And then: new territory. From Middlemarch to just past Hyde to check out a potential park at Tiroiti then up and up and up to Macraes Flat. Unfortunately it was wet, cold & inhospitable at Macraes - both outside & in the Stanley Hotel! Were thinking about having lunch but the smileless "we've had a big order so it'll be a long wait" made us decide to carry on. Got a phonecall from Chris who said beersies were on at Deb's & Mark's place tonight so a quick call to Deb organised our overnight stop for today! After a steep descent we joined the road to Palmerston. Filled up with diesel at McKeown's in Dunback & carried on to Moeraki for lunch. Walked to Fleur's Place but we didn't have a booking so no room for us!! Who books when 1/2 an hour ago we had no idea what we were doing for lunch!?! Anyway, their loss, our gain because we had a seafood chowder at the Moeraki Tavern that was right up there with the best! And a stunning view over the bay. 

But, one downside: the rain arrived while we were eating and we are now parked by Hampden Beach where we tried to take the dogs for a walk but it's too wet, windy & cold. Will stay here for a while hoping the weather eases enough to let the dogs have a run. And it didn't, so had to concede defeat and walk the dogs in the rain. In fact, it never stopped raining for the rest of the day! Got to Mark & Deb's place at 17:00. Had delish bbq tea, bed at 23:00.

16 January 2016
Up at 06:30, 8 degrees, damp and misty. Headed into Oamaru at 10:30 to do some shopping, find somewhere dry to walk the dogs (no success there) and then go to Steampunk as Ellen (one of Bailey Cain's friends) works there and got us in for free in exchange for us taking her out for lunch! Steampunk was an eye opening experience. 

Mike loved it - & for me the highlight was the penguin chicks being reared in the bottom of a piece of discarded machinery! Had lunch with Ellen, Bailey & Chris at the Galley - very good! We each had a delicious and massive pork belly burger - so big we could easily have shared one. Took dogs for another walk and then went & dumped which took ages because some rude, arrogant old prick just barged in and started using the dump station while Mike was doing the toilet and I was filling our water!

Anyway, got to the Maheno Rugby Club at 17:00. Mike relaxed while I went for a 40 minute blat on my bike. Now 18:40 and Mike's off to get the keg going properly while I finish my beer! Had a great night - ran into a few old acquaintances and yarned the night away, getting back to Maggie and bed at midnight.

17 January 2016
Up at 07:45(!) to another damp, misty morning and 12 degrees. Left the Rugby Club grounds at 9am with the intention of going inland to Aviemore. But, while having really good eggs bennie at The Roost Cafe in Oamaru, I saw a poster for Wings and Wheels which said the open day is today. Given that we would have gone home tomorrow as the weather is packing up again (not that it's anything to write home about at the moment!) we decided we will go home via that. Might as well do something different! 12:20 - just come back from a walk along Warrington Beach. When we first left to go through the dunes to the beach we were greeted by a not-so-happy seal! Glad we had the dogs on a lead (did that because the place was packed!).  15:40: parked at the Mosgiel Rugby Club grounds. Stopped and had Pita pit for lunch in Dunedin, also went to Spotlight for some embroidery cotton and had a look round a furniture place across the road. By the time we'd also got some fuel we decided we'd have a look at the show but it was huge and we decided that 1.5 hours (it finished at 4pm) wouldn't be enough time to look around. So drove round the block twice looking for a park in Puddle Alley but it was horrible. 

Also checked out the Wingatui Racecourse and it didn't do it for us either. The rugby club isn't fantastic either but we are over driving for today and given that the weather has got overcast and cold again we wouldn't be doing much else than what we're doing now - sitting inside - no matter where we were, so here's good! 

17:00 - no it's not! Dead end street it may be but it's like a bloody highway - on the road and through the carpark we're in. So, despite putting $6 in the iron maiden & knowing it's $8 at the racecourse we are going back to the racecourse!! Watched people come and go from a function, & watched shitter vans arrive - how do they know about this place? 1 did pay, & it's a good thing they're here where there's toilets, but still - pretty sure this won't be listed in any camping guides! Had a light salad for tea - all we needed after today's breakfast & lunch!! Bed at 22:00.

18 January 2016
Up at 06:30 after a good night's sleep to another overcast and gloomy day. But at least it's dry - not warm though, 10 degrees at 08:00. Dumping at the rugby club and then on our way home.  Stopped in Mosgiel for a coffee - yuck - & a mousetrap - yuck! Then Mike dropped me off in Lawrence so I could ride to Beaumont. Just under an hour later Mike was all set to come and meet me but I arrived too quick so we carried on down the trail for another 5kms before turning around. Got home around 2pm-ish, just beating the rain.   332501 kms on the clock - a trip of 904 kms.

Poolburn with K&D

Sunday 27 December 2015
Left home at 11am, 27.5 degrees & a glorious day.  Stopped to fill up at McKeown's & again at Chatto Creek for brunch - seafood chowder. Up to the hut, as Kirsty & Dale are following us up in our truck. Got set up & went for a fish. 1st cast on my new rod - a cute brown, too small to keep but a feisty healthy little fish. Tried some more but no more. Mike & I went for an explore with Stoney (can't really take Rox anymore as she's too blind) - Mike on the quad, me on my bike. Stoney ran and ran and then got tired so he hitched a ride with Mike! Went for a ride on my bike (to test my off road hill climbing as I've got the Bannockburn Classic 35km race in a couple of day's time) while everyone else pottered with boat. 

Then just chilled and enjoyed the 30 degree (with a blustery wind) day! Had koura as an entree - caught in the trap repaired by Dale, & by Dale sticking his hands under rocks until a koura grabbed his fingers!! Also had steak, the 1st of the season's fresh corn and fresh peas. No spuds or mint as I'd forgotten them! Bed at 22:30, fell asleep watching the almost full moon rise in spectacular glory over the dam.

Monday 28 December 2015
Up at 06:00 - beautiful morning. Not a cloud in the sky, 13 degrees. Between getting up and now (07:20), the wind has done a 180 and now a gentle southerly. Hope it stays gentle!

Overnighter in Dunedin for Fleetwood Mac concert

18 November 2015
08:55 filling up with diesel then on our way to Dunedin minus dogs! Dogs in the kennel for the night. And then - crap, there is no longer a BP truckstop in Russell Street!! McKeown's it is!! 

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!

3 weeks off!! October 2015

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 rest 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.

Salmon catchin!!

21 August 2015
329088kms. 13:30. Beautiful sunny day after another minus 6 frost. Forecast awesome for next couple of days so we're off to the Canals to, according to Mike, do some "salmon catchin!". Not fishing, catching! 14:00 done shopping/filled diesel and now on way to Clyde Dairy to get fish & chips for lunch. Went into Twizel to fill up with water. Had 1 jug at the pub and parked up beside Lake Ruataniwha at 17:20. Beautiful evening but it's going to be a cold one, we think.  Sat and watched TV and talked. Decided we weren't that hungry after our late lunch, so had a ham and salad turkish bun for tea. Hit the pit at 22:00.

22 August 2015
Up at 05:30 because Roxie needed out! Minus 1.6 so not too bad. Had coffee and back to bed!  Up again at 08:00 - now minus 3.2. But glorious sunrise and clear skies so it's going to be gorgeous. And it was, but no fish! Didn't see anyone else catching any either. Jo came out and had coffee and lunch with us while we were at the Pukaki Canal, and after trying B and checking out C, we dumped and went and parked in her driveway. Had drinkies, went to pub for tea - beautiful blue cod (& the place was humming) and when we got back to Maggie (@ 10:30) we were confronted by 2 very unhappy dogs as one of them had needed to go to the toilet. Poor things! So spent next hour cleaning carpets/feet/shoes.

23 August 2015
Up at 7:00, minus 5, clear skies and it's going to be another cracker day!
Mike cooked breakfast for Jo and I, & once things were warmed up & thawes out so we could use the hose to finish cleaning, we headed off back to Pukaki Canal. Nothing happening for ages and then started to get some nibbles on the shrimp. And the next thing, my reel frantically spins into action, followed immediately by the crash of rocks as my shrimp is taken - along with the hook, sinker, line, rod and reel!!!! Mike tried for a while to snag it but no luck. Off into Twizel to see if hardware/fishing shop still open but just missed the Fishing shop who closed at 13:00! Bugger bugger bugger no more fishing for me.  Despite trying and a few nibbles, Mike had no luck either. Packed up at 16:15 & moved to the spot we found further away from the road beside Lake Ruataniwha where we are now allowed to park. Gorgeous afternoon but can see the front coming. Oh, & our usb cigarette lighter charger has given up the ghost. Used both power banks but they're now empty too. So having to conserve battery power on phones. And I sat and cross-stitched this afternoon - but had left the current page, needle and scissors at home so had to start on a new page! And the guys who saw my rod disappear reckon it would have been one of the big fish they've been catching all week - 20-25 lbs!!!

24 August 2015
Up at 07:00, plus 1.5 degrees and overcast. 09:00 - dumping in Twizel and then home via Wrinklies. Awesome weekend!!

Oh yessss we have her back!

13 August 2015
9:30, 328607kms. Finally, finally we are away again. We did use Maggie for a weekend in Invercargill while I attended a course (I have volunteered for Victim Support & Mike came down as well so we used Maggie while I attended the first training session) in June but that wasn't a proper Maggie trip. Nor was the usual Queen's Birthday weekend trip. And before that, in March I did go up to see Dad (and encountered a couple of decent quakes!) but now we're finally off exploring. We haven't had Maggie at home for the last couple of months because she was getting a new vent put in the shower and a roof repaint oh ok, & having the chip I took out of the side of the luton repaired! (Parked outside Dad's resthome and the front left wheel fell into a drain right beside a tree so the luton hit the tree and it chipped off the gel coat). All took way longer than we thought and we've had serious withdrawal symptoms! But yay - we're on our way. Both almost as excited as our first trip!! Off towards Tuapeka - weather forecast not ideal but we're that keen to get away that we don't care!  Checked out Tuapeka Mouth (strange name as it's nowhere near the mouth!) on both sides of the river. The ferry wasn't operating but drove round. Also checked out the Heritage Hub - would be lovely on a hot summers day. Bought a combination chow mein from our "usual" Chinese in Balclutha which we ate at Kaka Point. Gorgeous weather - 15 degrees and sunny! Carried on and got to Jack's Bay at 14:00 and decided to park up and enjoy the sun and surf. Good swell rolling in and we're going to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean! Walked the dogs and then chilaxed for the rest of the day. Had spaghetti and meatballs for tea - a real Maggie meal as we never eat that at home. Wind continously increased to the point we lost reception on the TV for a while. Bed at 22:20.

14 August 2015
Up at 01:15 because the noise and the rocking motion of the wind made it impossible for me to sleep. Left Mike happily snoring upstairs and settled onto back bench where I slept reasonably well 'til 07:15. Still blowing, but dry and 10 degrees. Left Jack's Bay at 10am to go and dump and wash the salt and sand off Maggie. Then went exploring and found Tawanui DoC camp, right beside the Catlins River. Tricky steep windy muddy road coming in but this place is stunning. But nowhere to park today as it's a complete bog - everywhere, even though the place is massive. Such a shame but we'll definitely come back. Carried on exploring, over more steep windy and muddy roads (loving it though, so cool to just go) and now (12:37) having lunch by the Papatowai Bridge. Yummy ciabatta buns with salad stuff and the usual cuppa soup. Took dogs down the track to the Old Coach Rd - lovely walk. Then on to Papatowai and decided to park up on the hard at the DoC Camp because we doubt there's anywhere non-boggy round here, all set up at 14:00.  Bought an icecream from the store and walked around town and had a good look at the curio place - which is closed for winter but the moving sheep skeleton on a push bike - with sheep baaa sounds and all - is something to behold. And the moving whale is just spectacular! Got back to Maggie at 16:00, had showers and relaxed for rest of day. Bed at 22:20 after tea of steak, surprise peas and corn.

15 August 2015
Up at 6am but decided that was too early so back to bed til 07:40. 6 degrees and very damp after overnight rain. Lightly overcast and we're very tempted to stay BUT - and it's a big but - the forecast says heavy snow from this afternoon here and in Central so we think it's best to play it safe. Although Mike did think about taking a snow day on Monday but there's no cover on the roster. So it's now 9:20 and we're on our way to Owaka (26kms away) to see if someone wants to serve us some breakfast. 10:40 had breakfast at the Catlins Cafe - really yummy but not quite warm enough Salmon bubble & squeak with poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. Bought a cool sign for in the kitchen. Dumped everything and hosed Maggie down as she was covered - badly - in mud!
Filled up with diesel in Balclutha and got Chinese in Roxburgh for what I thought was tea. So when Mike stopped at the Roxburgh Dam Lookout at 13:00 and I asked him what we were doing I was surprised when he said "lunch!". Explained I was still totally full from breakfast. So we carried on home and will have Chinese for tea. No sign of the bad weather yet and it was 18 degrees when we got home at 13:30, 329086 kms (478 this trip). Oh, & Tuapeka Mouth is so called because that's where the Tuapeka River enters the Clutha!

Top of the Dam

11 February 2015
A quick one night trip to the top of the Clyde Dam. Could be doing chores, but after a wee cold snap last week reminded us that we are in the last month of summer we decided to enjoy this spell of lovely weather. So we did chores yesterday (finishing fixing the hallway wall can wait 'til a rainy day!), and will now enjoy chilling/boating/fishing/stitching 'til we have to go home tomorrow, as Mike is leaving early Friday to go to Wellington (back Saturday) and then starts a proper shift run on Monday. It's a beautiful late summer's day - shorts and T shirts but not almost unbearably hot, like it has been.

Poolburn!

22 January 2015
Mike has just finished 8 days straight and although we had originally discussed schisting the front verge, the weather forecast was way too good to be moving yet more schist in hot weather. So Mike asked "where haven't we been for a while?" & my immediate response was "Poolburn!". So it's now 13:30, have put rat poison and insect bombs in ceiling, cleaned windows, got worms, got supplies and we're off up the hill!  By 15:00 Mike was unloading boat - first time we've ever had the boat etc up here! Beautiful afternoon - nice and warm but not too hot. Had hamburgers and corn for tea.
23 January 2015
Up at 06:30 - not a cloud in the sky and not a breath of wind. I fly fished (yep, only been about 3 years!) for a while and then Mike went out on boat. At lunchtime Mike threw in a worm each and he caught a nice little fish. He went off in boat again, nothing but as soon as he came back he threw another worm in and bingo - a really good fish this time! All the years he's said he wanted a boat cause that's how everyone catches fish!! Haha. Gorgeous day, 26 degrees with a light northerly. And then, having a shower with curtains wide open, Max rocked up. With his mate Mattie, aka Froggie (???) from Ireland. Oh, & I caught a fish too.  Long but slabby jack. Doesn't matter, the drought has broken.
24 January 2015
Awake really early due to vehicles arriving back for the continuation of the Icebreaker ad shoot, and Max getting up well before sunrise to go and fish. Another glorious day - a light haze of fog off the water but otherwise it's looking like a repeat of yesterday. Shame my back went yesterday afternoon else I'd be flyfishing! Mike caught a wee fish on the lure that Bill Wade gave him - a Tazzie Devil Deep Diver - but not big enough to take home, so still no fish to bottle! And that was the first fish Mike has caught from the boat.  And then we ran out of worms, fuel for the quad and boat so it's now 12:15 and we're zipping along the road on the way home. Max and Mattie will follow us later and stay the night in Alex with us.

First trip of 2015 - to Lake Coleridge and back.

3 January 2015
13:30 and we're off over the hill to park beside a lake or river with trees as the forecast is hot, hot, hot. We don't need to be back until 13/1 and the only aim is to deliver some stuff to Gaye and Brownie who moved to Coleridge yesterday.  All set up at the spot in the trees on the true right bank of Lake Pukaki by 16:30. Spent rest of day and evening enjoyong the superb weather and views!
4 January 2015
Up at 06:20 to let the dogs out. 15 degrees and partly cloudy but the forecast is for 28 degrees and sunny, so bring it on. And it did. 34 degrees, & still 32 at 17:00. Even went for a swim in Lake Pukaki. Well Mike went for a proper swim, I slowly waded in upto my armpits! Took the dogs for a run along the bike this morning before it got hot but did nothing other than read, stitch and chillax the rest of the day. Mike went for a ride on the quad first thing but then did the same as in nothing for the rest of the day! We did have cold showers after our swim - we were cold anyway and one thing we'd forgotten to do before we left was check the gas and we weren't sure we'd have enough! Had bbq steak with twice cooked chips (cut into wedges, boil & them crisp them up on the bbq - did it last night too and it was a huge success!) & broccoli for tea. Sat outside waiting for the breeze to arrive but only a little one and 27 degrees when we went to bed.

5 January 2015
Up at 7am. 20 degrees but a fair wind blowing. Had breakast and then Marielle washed her hair after boiling the jug - that's a first. Now 10:30 and off to Twizel to dump and get supplies - including gas! Will also call in and see the Mulcahy's, who are at their holiday home, before heading on to the NZMCA Park at Lake Tekapo. And then, waiting in the queue to fill our water tank, I go to take the dogs for a quick walk and realise that their collars are still "drying" on the tree right outside where we were parked. So we'll have to go back that way! Bugger. Did what we had to do in Twizel and back to our spot to pick up collars. Had lunch there - salad and hot pork sandwich and headed off at 13:00. Did think about staying another night but the wind's picked up and blowing right in, so decided to move! Got to NZMCA Lake Tekapo and did our normal relaxing stuff. Awesome spot woth access to the lake, cycle and walking trails and a fully fenced secure dog park next door.
6 January 2015
Up at 6:48 - not sure what woke us up but it may have been the 6.4 quake at Lake Coleridge - poor Brownie & Gaye!. Thankfully no reports of damage.  Took dogs for a bike ride along the water front but that was a disaster as Stoney tucked into several dead rabbits despite getting his bum smacked and then Roxie'd had enough and took off for home. Thankfully straight back to Maggie. On the road at 10:00 and within a few kms the temperature had dropped 7 degrees and we hit the usual cloud at Burke's Pass. Stopped in Ashburton for supplies and got to Gaye & Brownies at 15:00. Experienced another earthquake while there, & also found out that we have won a $500 voucher from Cruiseabout through a Facebook promo I entered before Xmas! It's also valid with Flightcentre!! Had a great eveningbut went to bed way too late - 23:30!
7 January 2015
After saying goodbye to Brownie before he left for work, & Gaye, we are on the road at 10am, heading in the direction of the West Coast Road (Arthurs Pass) via the back roads! And then, as sometimes happens with us, a complete change of plan. Decided going down the West Coast was too much driving - we wanted to chill. So we decided we'd head back towards Lake Tekapo. But then, just as we got to the main road out, Mike said "no, stuff it, we're here now, we are going to Ryton Bay to park up for a couple of days". So that's what we did. Initially set up right beside the Lake, but it got too windy so moved round to the shelter of the shrub. I spent the afternoon doing my usual stuff while Mike explored - & got very wet - on the quad. He got wet because, well, that's what happens when you go up and down rivers and blast full tit into the lake! Hahaha.😆. BBQ chicken and CORN (yum, had some last night too!) & spuds for tea and bed much earlier than last night.
8 January 2015
Up at 7am (after being woken earlier by boats arriving) to a dead calm 8 degrees with low low cloud. Hopefully that will burn off and we'll have that gorgeous day the weather forecast promised us last night! Well, it started out ok, slowly warming to 22 degrees and the sun trying to shine. But by midday the wind was up, the sun was gone and the temp was down to 16.5 degrees. And just as I started typing this update, it looks like the sun might just win the battle! Bring it on! And finally, at 13:20, the sun won. And so did the southerly! But in Maggie's shelter it was lovely. Mike tried to catch a fish - no luck!! I washed the dogs - they were panting and hot so it was a perfect time with such a clean fresh lake to do it in. Lamb steaks, corn and salad for tea and I hit the pit early at 21:15 with Mike following not long after.
9 January 2015
We have been up during the night with Roxie. When we got up for our normal toilet stop at 1:15, Roxie needed to go out too. And as it was cold (6 degrees) I decided to put their jackets on both dogs when they came back in and it was then that I saw that Roxie had a very swollen face. Gave her half an antihistamine tablet. We have no idea how she might have got this as we never heard her yelp or anything but she's obviously been stung. We haven't seen any bees or wasps either - except bumble bees. And she was fine when we went to bed, although Mike had noticed her scratching. Up at 6:30 to a beautiful morning. Roxie's face still swollen - another antihistamine and also an extra prednisone because we're hoping it is just a sting, not another autoimmune problem. Left at 08:15!! At Methven we stopped at the vets - turns out she's been bitten by a whitetail. So, out comes everything: squabs, blankets, laundry, carpet, underlay. Spray inside all cupboards! Had lunch (the best combination chow mein ever) in Ashburton. And, after doing some shopping, we decided it was too nice to keep driving, so parked up for the night at the Tinwald Domain (Ashburton Holiday Park)! It's gorgeous weather and too hot to drive and this is a nice enough spot. Sat outside beside the duck pond, in the shade as it was 30 degrees and too hot in the sun.  And as we progressed through the day we sat and people watched in amazement. This place has a number of permanents and they are an eclectic mix of people. Almost all appear to be working. But they range from people with nice caravans who feed the resident rooster, to a working girl in a bus who is a bit flower powery, but does a complete circle on her way out for the night to feed the rooster, to an English woman who looks slightly unstable, to a family on the benefit and a row of bogans! Interesting! Not to mention the tourists!! Pork steak, corn and salad for tea.
10 January 2015
Up at 6:20, but awake much earlier thanks to the bloody rooster deciding it was time to wake us up at 5:10! Not to mention the late night noisy arrivals, the grumpy duck who had to let the world know all night that she was grumpy and a goose who called everyone to order sometime in the middle of the night! Anyway, it's going to be another scorcher so we want to head off before it gets too hot! 08:20 - sitting at Taste Cafe in Ashburton waiting for breakfast! Mike has decided he's not so sure about the movanner lifestyle anymore - he's up way too early for his liking! Went and checked out Lake Hood which is an awesome spot and then, as we were heading back Mike saw a sign for Ashburton Beach. So off we went and 11km later ended up at the sea, beside the Ashburton river, opposite the Hakatere camp. Unfortunately, thick sea fog is rolling in, & also the place looks like it could be hoonville and is a bit of a dump. Stopped in Geraldine at 11:15 for a milkshake & it's already 26°. And really glad we had a lovely soot beside big shady trees at NZMCA Lake Tekapo as it got to 37°. At one stage I took the dogs down to the water and Stoney literally sat down and curled up his pads as the sand was that hot it was obviously painful! Watched the news sitting outside - hehe, who needs a flash unit with outside TV?  Met up with Gary, the artist I had met before at Parnasus and sat round and yarned to him. Steak, corn and spuds for tea. Bed late - 11:30!!
11 January 2015
Up at 07:10 to 16°, overcast and by the sound of the trees and the look of the lake a decent norwester. And seeing as we know what the drive between here and Lake Pukaki is like when it's windy we may just hunker down here for the day - tomorrow it's meant to be fine again. Went and dumped & got Mike a couple of magazines. And checked out Kohan Japanese which looked good enough for a trip back into town. And it was - delish! Went back to camp, took dogs for a walk along the foreshore and then Mike read/nana-napped while I went exploring Lake Tekapo Station's numerous tracks on my bike. Awesome - some bits steep, all of it up and down but worth the effort. Then caught up with Gary, and also Ted & Lynn from Auckland (their bus is called Jafashack so we knew they'd be ok!!). Now 20:40 and we're cooking. Cool day and glad we stayed even if it was WAY hotter at home - only got to 20° here today with cloud and a hefty NW at times. Had chicken, spuds and the last of the corn for tea and with that the last day of our holiday draws to a close. It's been an awesome trip, with great weather, good friends and new people & places.
12 January 2015
Up at 6:50 - so a really good night's sleep given we were in bed by 21:30 last night! 08:35 - dumped etc and on the way home (via the Wrinkly Rams, of course!). Home at midday.