tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43355997748774139652024-03-09T04:49:34.945+13:00Inter Island FairiesDihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-26623912552333894332014-03-22T14:58:00.000+13:002014-04-08T15:21:11.252+12:00Tekapo to Banks Peninsula to Akaroa<p>Our longest drive but more delightful scenery as we approach Akaroa. As were staying for 3 days, we used Holiday Homes to book ‘The Glen’, a delightful 3 bedroomed home at the far end of Akaroa, well away from tourists and we couldn’t have chosen better.</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="701"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="231" align="middle"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D07V4zvXDmg/U0NlWqEez5I/AAAAAAAAKCk/OhBOk9ce_QY/s1600-h/299b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="299b" border="0" alt="299b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gTZ1PgKPMEY/U0NlXlmJYII/AAAAAAAAKCs/nPg-foATE-w/299b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a> <br>Welcoming tree-lined road reminded us of the plane trees in France</td> <td width="232" align="middle"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nY8uWMaOfTo/U0NlZMzKElI/AAAAAAAAKC0/cdcZ_xbrWvE/s1600-h/315b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ljjff1FjJsA/U0NlaPCAApI/AAAAAAAAKC8/JHNA9NOCrIg/315b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a><br>View from the distant hills as we approach the harbour </td> <td width="232" align="middle"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cupgfZSIdJg/U0NlbnEYxKI/AAAAAAAAKDE/ri6WPxuz5Cc/s1600-h/325b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FH1wibGhxY0/U0Nlcc_rNJI/AAAAAAAAKDM/zDDsXYK07iI/325b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="147"></a><br>An attempt at colourful boatsheds in Duvauchelle Bay </td></tr> <tr> <td width="231" align="middle"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6PdvG2OH6ho/U0Nld9cacAI/AAAAAAAAKDU/NAS-EJfAB5Y/s1600-h/354b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="354b" border="0" alt="354b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M5hwh8Nq200/U0Nlepz0CpI/AAAAAAAAKDc/bpLHk-086JQ/354b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a> <br>looking back across the bay at Akaroa</td> <td width="232" align="middle"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ww8YMP6ZBik/U0Nlga6w-XI/AAAAAAAAKDk/pscbHCMPpdo/s1600-h/398b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="398b" border="0" alt="398b" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l-6fdgAvy5Q/U0NlhNkYpDI/AAAAAAAAKDs/mhKMfcxZwYQ/398b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a> <br>View from the deck of our lovely accommodation at ‘The Glen’</td> <td width="232" align="middle"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0DNOylVvpU0/U0NliWEnLEI/AAAAAAAAKDw/ao037QMDAiI/s1600-h/444b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="444b" border="0" alt="444b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IehiSZF7SKk/U0NljDj3c8I/AAAAAAAAKD8/21jlk1seX00/444b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="151" height="204"></a> </td></tr> <tr> <td width="231" align="middle"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dEK6pBG72Fs/U0NllUIw-1I/AAAAAAAAKEE/DI3ONuv1Olw/s1600-h/434b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="434b" border="0" alt="434b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3hIUv1yBMs8/U0NlmcsuqrI/AAAAAAAAKEM/1NfS3cmcMmA/434b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="154"></a><br>View of ‘The Glen’ from the lawn</td> <td width="232" align="middle"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TofFi7psDEw/U0NlnAfaIpI/AAAAAAAAKEU/5jaOgULXb9M/s1600-h/395b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="395b" border="0" alt="395b" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XyI9luZ-rJ4/U0Nln28FRSI/AAAAAAAAKEc/UcknPngKEjs/395b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="85" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SOcFDqrbrqM/U0NrIWCU9hI/AAAAAAAAKE8/aGQCjx2VHoQ/s1600-h/054b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="054b" border="0" alt="054b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wsXD_4_wBjI/U0NrJEDXtgI/AAAAAAAAKFE/Z9jvdxcv8vg/054b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="113" height="155"></a> <br>French Sailing Wench mascot<br> at ‘The Glen’</td> <td width="232" align="middle"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9nFs3PJgpiM/U0NlpxnymKI/AAAAAAAAKEk/b56437effBc/s1600-h/410b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="410b" border="0" alt="410b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fz-aYVcCUwI/U0NlqhGwRiI/AAAAAAAAKEs/vAkkJWRIjDc/410b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="136"></a><br>looking from the lounge and beyond </td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-58786920199236396672014-03-22T10:45:00.000+13:002014-04-08T13:57:10.933+12:00Geraldine: More Than We Bargained For Or Will Ever Forget<p>It started on a glorious weather day as we made our way northwards from Lake Tekapo towards our destination of Akaroa. We experienced some characteristically country things like …</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="700"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="233" align="middle"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7l3FXttI43o/Uz0t8rwTGAI/AAAAAAAAJ_c/WCsDfgYezww/s1600-h/096b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="096b" border="0" alt="096b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FsbQJI5DCXg/Uz0t9sjPwwI/AAAAAAAAJ_g/YbJVKg4jACA/096b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="199" height="134"></a> <br>being brought to a complete standstill for 20 minutes by a flock of sheep crossing the road</td> <td width="233" align="middle"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m2FyBG2mPRc/Uz0t-63fOSI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/e668W6sSPMY/s1600-h/155b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="155b" border="0" alt="155b" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qJOb-jHggHc/Uz0t_vvJUCI/AAAAAAAAJ_0/xPE5Nl21gzA/155b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="126"></a><br>interesting patterns made by the hay making boys</td> <td width="233" align="middle"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--UXf3UV4t-k/Uz0uBcdZHvI/AAAAAAAAJ_8/1be_Db42QP8/s1600-h/298b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="298b" border="0" alt="298b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7_VvIjKEhmc/Uz0uCX2bpuI/AAAAAAAAKAA/Vu3rRckUzYM/298b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="199" height="134"></a><br>and an irresistibly low price for top quality fertiliser </td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p> <p></p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="700"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="700"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kXOX2C1m6mE/Uz0uDZAwsUI/AAAAAAAAKAM/eTpUnqMrxlo/s1600-h/276b%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="276b" border="0" alt="276b" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nTAozQD14dk/Uz0uEG1NEkI/AAAAAAAAKAQ/hooTxJ6sF1w/276b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="144"></a> <p><font size="3" face="Andalus">as we approached the delightful town of Geraldine, we noted a lot of activity and not only was there a Saturday morning market with craft stalls, but all the local farmers and busybodies were attending the highlight of their month – the “bring your oldest, crustiest, rustiest bit of farm tack along and we’ll auction it” event.</font><font size="4" face="Andalus"></font></p></td></tr></tbody></table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="700"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="700"> <p><font color="#800080" size="3" face="Andalus">we thought nothing else could be quite as riveting, but oh, I put it to you, just HOW wrong can two Jaffas be?? NOTHING prepared us for, wait for it, The Giant Jersey and the (Monstrously Manic) Medieval Mosaic (loosely translated as “the thing that has done both of our heads in and will probably never leave our memory”)</font></p></td></tr></tbody></table> <table border="0" cellspacing="4" cellpadding="4" width="703"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="219" align="middle"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c-SDulmUWsY/Uz0uFFB6NFI/AAAAAAAAKBg/nIWsPSLRAOI/s1600-h/204b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="204b" border="0" alt="204b" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-41HOa1-byUg/Uz0uGIlO_fI/AAAAAAAAKBo/xVSMy7UDA3A/204b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="139"></a> </td> <td width="237" align="middle">The Giant Jersey is 7 feet tall just to give you an idea of it’s size. It was knitted my Gillian & Michael Linton in a matter of a week, on a manual knitting machine. Wow. It even has it’s own Guinness Book of Records Certificate. Wow again. What could possibly top that we are thinking.</td> <td width="229" align="middle">Well, as luck would have it we didn’t have to wait long for an answer to that question as we stepped into the rear of the shop only to be completely staggered by what we saw there …..</td></tr> <tr> <td width="219" align="middle"> <p><strong><font color="#ff0000">1.<br></font></strong> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oVZDF_rAn7c/Uz0uG5dZ2JI/AAAAAAAAKBw/ubkk8aS6HCE/s1600-h/230b%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="230b" border="0" alt="230b" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A8bNw_jbO6g/Uz0uH7eH7kI/AAAAAAAAKB4/8BmXqeLHXLc/230b_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="144"></a> <br>let’s show you this first – these are metal discs from an old industrial knitting machine. Those little bits of metal just above the paintbrush are the teeth from said disks.<br>THREE MILLION NO LESS of said teeth have been removed, arranged, and stuck on to masking tape, then formed into bigger sheets, then rubbed with shoe polish to hide said tape. <br>Why go to all that trouble?? A very good question indeed. But one we will never be able to answer.<br>BUT WAIT</p></td> <td width="237" align="middle"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>2.</strong></font> </p> <p>Over a period of <strong><font size="4">33</font></strong> years, Michael has made a replica of the famous Bayeux Tapestry which tells the story of the Norman Conquest in 1066, except he has hand-painted the scenes with that very same little brush. Gosh, he’s even added extra bits to the story because he wanted to. Nothing like making your own version of history I say. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2v5Qqmbsihs/Uz0uJNzPDII/AAAAAAAAKCA/Rzb9X8P3Q3c/s1600-h/268b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="268b" border="0" alt="268b" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OI02GLgA5a0/Uz0uJ128KRI/AAAAAAAAKCI/SGEQ-geF4vQ/268b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="165" height="144"></a></p></td> <td width="229" align="middle"><font color="#ff0000"><strong>3.<br></strong></font>Michael’s version of events takes up the wall space in an entire room, (partly shown in the background) and believe us when we say, this man could not believe his God given fortune when he found out that his Saturday morning casual guest is none other than a Medieval History<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ItP_AKBEEYQ/Uz0uKzGuRJI/AAAAAAAAKCQ/ldL41uodjJ4/s1600-h/256b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="256b" border="0" alt="256b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HP-ngZCAH1A/Uz0uL3AhV9I/AAAAAAAAKCY/TgwnSJUj0-c/256b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="144"></a> lecturer at Auckland University who happens to know an awful lot about the Bayeux Tapestry. After 45 minutes, I had to feign sickness and rescue Linz from his clutches or we might still be there.<br>We are still shaking our heads in disbelief and wonderment</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-2953788061420964252014-03-21T18:57:00.000+13:002014-04-08T13:57:25.154+12:00Lake Tekapo<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="665"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="455"> <p>We had an overnight stay in Tekapo; enough time for a game of mini-golf on the course which our room overlooked. For me it started badly with a score of 12 on the first hole. Linz thought “yoohoo, this game’s in the bag” and that there was no way I could recover after that. But, never say Di. I managed to chip away at it (excuse the shocking pun) and took the trophy with a clear margin of 3 strokes in the end, much to Linz’s (still stunned) disbelief.</p></td> <td valign="top" width="10"> </td> <td valign="top" width="198"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pVAvsnl-SSk/Uz0Uk8AOuyI/AAAAAAAAJ84/eGE3Q7Zn4T4/s1600-h/The%252520Long%252520Drop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="The Long Drop" border="0" alt="The Long Drop" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L35lmdZiN-0/Uz0Ulz-cOxI/AAAAAAAAJ9A/9LPwmUjarEw/The%252520Long%252520Drop_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="156"></a></td></tr></tbody></table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="733"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="279" align="middle"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s2aNS3T68GE/Uz0UmwD2NNI/AAAAAAAAJ9I/5VC7SvbeC-Y/s1600-h/011b%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="011b" border="0" alt="011b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9Bx7jjM9TUI/Uz0UnuLKAzI/AAAAAAAAJ9Q/LxWO2urmG_c/011b_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="138"></a><br><br>The view of Lake Tekapo<br>from our upstairs motel room </td> <td width="223" align="middle"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SmCBKPkgQzI/Uz0Wn9qhuiI/AAAAAAAAJ9Y/OLAcd7izqU0/s1600-h/043b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="043b" border="0" alt="043b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TDBVcM30IOo/Uz0UoT_QFaI/AAAAAAAAJ9g/xQ6MxwvAwYI/043b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="122" height="184"></a>A tribute to the value of the Collie Dog – without them grazing of this mountain country would not have been possible</td> <td width="229" align="middle"> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sbalIgZDgqM/Uz0UpWLwhAI/AAAAAAAAJ9o/7vs2Wj-TkNk/s1600-h/071b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="071b" border="0" alt="071b" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aHa7FaGd4Ro/Uz0UqBXG-nI/AAAAAAAAJ9w/Q6fUocK1ZTk/071b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="139"></a><br>The parishioners’ view of Lake Tekapo from the interior of the church, not bad huh </p></td></tr> <tr> <td width="279" align="middle"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NeJrlx716Ic/Uz0UrEnvSXI/AAAAAAAAJ94/4_vK7ePHHzk/s1600-h/069b%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="069b" border="0" alt="069b" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZwdjFqdvvog/Uz0UrwP4eTI/AAAAAAAAJ-A/3HvZzZliPE0/069b_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="188" height="144"></a> <br>Iconic Church of the Good Shepherd<br> on the shore of Lake Tekapo</td> <td width="223" align="middle"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KAgwSxc2gTI/Uz0UtLGR0MI/AAAAAAAAJ-I/PF6PbmOim4s/s1600-h/045b%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="045b" border="0" alt="045b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hmm3KDD9Grg/Uz0Ut1ftO6I/AAAAAAAAJ-Q/_Kh5BwUX1lM/045b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="138"></a><br>Linz has a friendly chat to the (deaf) church gardener……</td> <td width="229" align="middle"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g2qNr-SbgpA/Uz0Uu_me7xI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/2aKOm6Iw-SY/s1600-h/057b%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="057b" border="0" alt="057b" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZnFfTL2MvgM/Uz0Uv0fq02I/AAAAAAAAJ-g/4_eN944mj_w/057b_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="144"></a> <br>… and then proceeds to take over his job</td></tr> <tr> <td width="279" align="middle"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UEwZthlNurY/Uz0Uw8Hr-ZI/AAAAAAAAJ-o/42VjP7g0HNU/s1600-h/097b%252520%2525281024x768%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="097b (1024x768)" border="0" alt="097b (1024x768)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xCfh2uPeNWY/Uz0UxsBYWqI/AAAAAAAAJ-w/UiSSN6iHVJ0/097b%252520%2525281024x768%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="189" height="144"></a><br>Up state New Yorkers Joe & Anne whom we first met at Franz Josef in the heli-flight cinema and surprisingly again at a Japanese Restaurant in Tekapo 4 days later</td> <td width="223" align="middle"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XjwifySWskQ/Uz0UyintESI/AAAAAAAAJ-4/lJSDhjb5Ua0/s1600-h/096b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="096b (1024x683)" border="0" alt="096b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rr1rp_yE990/Uz0UzawtCRI/AAAAAAAAJ_A/9k7GSoocnWk/096b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="114"></a> This is crème bruleé Japanese style - OMG we didn’t need the extra candy floss, sugar heart & star, icecream, biscuit, pineapple, blueberries, grapes and jam swish!!!</td> <td width="229" align="middle"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BANrQ3ZbA1o/Uz0U0TlYFJI/AAAAAAAAJ_I/N0JQnhxJUs8/s1600-h/034b%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="034b" border="0" alt="034b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I70PZch-hvw/Uz0U1Nr4qTI/AAAAAAAAJ_Q/aNEAd2AX7dE/034b_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a><br>the first crack of sunrise<br> highlights the lake mist<br> and dawn photographers <br>(as was I) </td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-81224954206331794832014-03-21T09:20:00.000+13:002014-04-01T18:02:25.364+13:00Wanaka to Tekapo<p>Another fabulous weather day on our drive over the Lindis Pass, through the MacKenzie country and on to Tekapo. The landscape is totally different here but stunning all the same. Just a few images from this part of the trip…</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="700" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="175" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HFEfGrMWY_0/UzCaUsmirtI/AAAAAAAAJ2o/EJo-nEGk-Pc/s1600-h/124b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="124b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="124b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DQITmdWt21k/UzCaW-UDbsI/AAAAAAAAJ2w/jUACQLjO1qA/124b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a> Another impressive river, this time the mighty Clutha</td> <td width="175" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-raPevv1bmz8/UzCaX1drMOI/AAAAAAAAJ24/sjSmg05DWYs/s1600-h/142b683x10245.jpg"><img title="142b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="142b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mn1J43ikFrM/UzCaZRP7NuI/AAAAAAAAJ3A/WfL-2meAGvM/142b683x1024_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="102" height="154"></a> <br>And as we arrive at the Clutha, what should we see but a souvenir left by the Kiev Chapter of the Ukranian Harley Club!!!<br></td> <td width="175" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QDJ0EUA-FFk/UzCabKH7esI/AAAAAAAAJ3I/jKspqYlLIBk/s1600-h/152b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="152b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="152b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eZOOshsACFk/UzCadDeOusI/AAAAAAAAJ3Q/OllPAYdgrZ4/152b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a><br>One hell of a watering system in the MacKenzie basin </td> <td width="175" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jIa98yo7qj4/UzCaeqWuM0I/AAAAAAAAJ3Y/ppmwYF80Mlk/s1600-h/185b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="185b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="185b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ns8IrCcy5ik/UzCaf3o8dbI/AAAAAAAAJ3g/_0QlGDvdZxc/185b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a><br>Dramatic and quite different landscape in this area </td></tr> <tr> <td width="175" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XXWM6U0oweU/UzCah0xH1bI/AAAAAAAAJ3o/J4afMFS2lpw/s1600-h/209b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="209b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="209b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bMQU617LqOQ/UzCakDjvLSI/AAAAAAAAJ3w/7d7-hzANsuM/209b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="105"></a> <br>Clay Cliffs viewed from the side of the road (with sun shining straight at us)</td> <td width="175" align="center">On the Public Toilets door in Omarama – someone’s got a sense of humour around here<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WKaqckAYgPs/UzCaldXru0I/AAAAAAAAJ34/IhDLTLasZxE/s1600-h/212b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="212b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="212b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QSwVAyyYIC4/UzCamT_wMQI/AAAAAAAAJ4A/4KNjgQ4cP7c/212b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="100"></a></td> <td width="175" align="center">On the other side of Lake Pukaki from where I’m standing is Mt Cook, but what am I photographing instead? Yes, swirls created by the voluminous outlet of the dam<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Spjdy8XmrZA/UzCanSmMEmI/AAAAAAAAJ4I/N3TQhLW-hrk/s1600-h/250b1024x6835.jpg"><img title="250b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="250b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ShV8WZw_1Vk/UzCaoSyMLCI/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/srUnFi7xId4/250b1024x683_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="102"></a></td> <td width="175" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xW-mHj5iKPk/UzCapOhPSKI/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/mumBbuiHbxo/s1600-h/287b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="287b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="287b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yAUuJDOOfyA/UzCaqcWNWtI/AAAAAAAAJ4g/vVCghvBefkQ/287b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a><br>Looking across lake Pukaki at Mt Cook– not a great shot due to the sun shining directly at us, but we missed seeing it from the Lake Matheson side</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-44849269734994015702014-03-20T14:20:00.000+13:002014-04-01T18:01:58.955+13:00You Want Me To Do Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?<p>We didn’t get to do the heli flight over Franz Josef (so I didn’t think I would have to face my small aircraft fear again on this trip) but on a spectacular day in Lake Wanaka Linz made a snap decision to phone Aspiring Helicopters at lunchtime and organised a flight for 3.30pm the same day.</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="649" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="213" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6siQ-dc7grM/Uy_Q8bWfmoI/AAAAAAAAJ0Q/2ehFK1eHaK4/s1600-h/125b683x10244.jpg"><img title="125b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="125b (683x1024)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1AGyHpXzsFw/Uy_Q-4up2YI/AAAAAAAAJ0Y/OYFb0lGhDEI/125b683x1024_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="138" height="184"></a> <br>James (why-do-you-want-to-take-my-photo?) our clever pilot</td> <td width="217" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-er8IAYiCS8g/Uy_Q_1JioLI/AAAAAAAAJ0g/9sj1ACACFUE/s1600-h/016b1024x6835.jpg"><img title="016b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="016b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XfearIf0JNs/Uy_RA_QRBII/AAAAAAAAJ0k/EoSo38NICUw/016b1024x683_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="147"></a><br>James cleans my window<br>before we take off </td> <td width="213" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lWmgHsA7tsk/Uy_RB8letVI/AAAAAAAAJ0w/lkrzSirvB2A/s1600-h/048b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="048b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="048b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QsxzXzyDGp4/Uy_RDGmu1OI/AAAAAAAAJ04/JhnlY1fKlic/048b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="128"></a><br>Aerial view of<br>Lake Wanaka district </td></tr> <tr> <td width="213" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_5aPfH43mP8/Uy_RFO1UIwI/AAAAAAAAJ1A/hvWeDxCcpmU/s1600-h/055b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="055b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="055b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O4VGaosGfs4/Uy_RGxk0-cI/AAAAAAAAJ1I/0_oOqxst8p8/055b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a> <br>Heli skiing valley -<br>James said this about Australian skiing visitors: We drop ‘em at the top, we pick ‘em up at the bottom and we do that all day till they run out of money!</td> <td width="217" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LY1cW7ahDv0/Uy_RIXAJP8I/AAAAAAAAJ1Q/u_2m3nA1aEo/s1600-h/066b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="066b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="066b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-INwQCO_AyEo/Uy_RJn2O8nI/AAAAAAAAJ1Y/4pSHGP0GCCw/066b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="133"></a><br><br>We didn’t ask for this photo but James just took my camera off me and started clicking so here we are on top of the world </td> <td width="213" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bFtdW-HopPo/Uy_RKeINWjI/AAAAAAAAJ1g/C8-5RoqC_5o/s1600-h/095b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="095b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="095b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x8dNDhM0Uvg/Uy_RL0nHF_I/AAAAAAAAJ1o/hhYm9nyzr2M/095b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a><br>a great view of the<br>Motukituki River</td></tr> <tr> <td width="213" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F3biHCmUkA0/Uy_RMxgbkTI/AAAAAAAAJ1s/5xXQxSJmjIg/s1600-h/113b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="113b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="113b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s2N49cYNMRI/Uy_RN4rdKKI/AAAAAAAAJ14/8EQMHP0tVbs/113b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="164"></a> <br>Photographic challenge<br>Capturing the rotor still spinning</td> <td width="217" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xZvT2Aes0pA/Uy_RPMy-npI/AAAAAAAAJ2A/p-qqJBgDitE/s1600-h/163b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="163b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="163b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4Ep5mqzhJOc/Uy_RP2-L8FI/AAAAAAAAJ2I/9hn8jq9cFC0/163b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="123"></a> <br>As we drive back to Wanaka, the beautiful Glendhu Bay comes into view</td> <td width="213" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4Xz7kiT6sZ4/Uy_RRNCaALI/AAAAAAAAJ2Q/YC5K2RJFWXg/s1600-h/193b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="193b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="193b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qf8hnAADxMQ/Uy_RR8kGWPI/AAAAAAAAJ2Y/1_SKfRkkANY/193b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="146"></a><br>If I had a caravan,<br>I’d park it there too</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-51353354327403771912014-03-20T09:15:00.000+13:002014-04-01T18:01:46.057+13:00Around Town in Wanaka<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="726" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="257" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WgP0hDmAkak/Uy97IGtBuxI/AAAAAAAAJyg/7Zb43yqOue8/s1600-h/022853x12804.jpg"><img title="022 (853x1280)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="022 (853x1280)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--JJQUNF9kNA/Uy97KEKlHRI/AAAAAAAAJyo/93Uz86sXdI0/022853x1280_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" align="left" height="184"></a> This cutie rode past me on my “Orange” day (see below) and offered to let me photograph his helmet (with parental permission, of course). Don’t you just want to hug him?</td> <td width="239" align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vh_7fBPydaA/Uy97LTZAeUI/AAAAAAAAJyw/86kn2Bv3C8I/s1600-h/097b683x10244.jpg"><img title="097b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="097b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_JRQamZFtDs/Uy97MnvnkDI/AAAAAAAAJy4/Z7ZkVwuGqOM/097b683x1024_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="126" align="left" height="184"></a><br>Café Scene Wanaka Style and look at that gorgeous backdrop<br>Eat your heart out Aucklanders</td> <td width="224" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R9WzYT5kiU4/Uy97NyL0SqI/AAAAAAAAJzA/de3fADcEVlo/s1600-h/086b683x10244.jpg"><img title="086b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="086b (683x1024)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_R6f0F0xoWw/Uy97PU_Nh4I/AAAAAAAAJzI/bcABIUfqTUg/086b683x1024_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="121" align="left" height="184"></a> This is ‘Crazy Carol’. She was walking so fast I had to chase her. She is a promo person for a skifield and said people send her toys (those ones in her hairdo) from all over the world.</td></tr> <tr> <td width="257" align="center">At Puzzling World … I asked the really grumpy Pom on the left if I could take his photo and he said no. He said he d<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O1NB_gTu93M/Uy97QvLEOpI/AAAAAAAAJzQ/14CFzbTty-w/s1600-h/094b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="094b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="094b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vACr672LGgk/Uy97RvkaXCI/AAAAAAAAJzY/-UCPqxcRRDo/094b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" align="left" height="134"></a>oesn’t play games and was just sitting watching his mate. Half an hour later I went over again and he was trying to do a puzzle and I said “oh you are doing one then” and “can I take your photo” and he said no. So I did. <br></td> <td width="239" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C9JLjnw8xz4/Uy97TtmPPDI/AAAAAAAAJzg/1ce-571-J2U/s1600-h/040b1024x6836.jpg"><img title="040b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="040b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KM2oAmzJCsg/Uy97U3ulFfI/AAAAAAAAJzo/ncOgoytDvUs/040b1024x683_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="133"></a><br>Puzzling World’s quirky frontispiece. This place has tables set out with many puzzles on them and you can just go in and sit there for as long as you like and do as many as you want and the staff will help when you get stuck and it’s all free unless you got into the maze or the mirror rooms</td> <td width="224" align="center">This lady was totally engrossed in trying to do the Rope Puzzle. In the end, she threw in the towel and said she wouldn’t give up her day job.<br>I asked the staff how to do the puzzle and if I’d sat there all afternoon, I still wouldn’t have got it out without help<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c6m7rIqlDvA/Uy97WbNEJrI/AAAAAAAAJzw/U5bT0ps_00Q/s1600-h/060b1024x6839.jpg"><img title="060b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="060b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PIxe0o2ID-w/Uy97XXE-aTI/AAAAAAAAJz4/eyZHG_YrLMw/060b1024x683_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="138"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VGLWK4QDDls/Uy97ZRibpKI/AAAAAAAAJ0A/BnRVFAqSbow/s1600-h/132b1024x6832.jpg"></a></td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-55309650906246374652014-03-19T13:00:00.000+13:002014-04-01T18:01:33.420+13:00Appeal Me An Orange<p>Those loyal followers who came to France with us on the last trip blog will remember my ‘pop of colour’ delights and I couldn’t resist another one. The first thing I saw on this day in Wanaka determined the colour, and it was the orange kayak.</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="565" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="123" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QK7ToLTMYhs/Uy96If2GTmI/AAAAAAAAJuw/_P7hi90gSlQ/s1600-h/025b853x12802.jpg"><img title="025b (853x1280)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="025b (853x1280)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cxWqITq5rxo/Uy96JQ1-ZPI/AAAAAAAAJu4/LhI4j6ei7F0/025b853x1280_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="84" height="124"></a> </td> <td width="181" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6o84CYPEYDY/Uy96LDPwlxI/AAAAAAAAJvA/8WoEuF8SsWE/s1600-h/037b1024x6831.jpg"><img title="037b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="037b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ttMbi-zCjpY/Uy96NESyFnI/AAAAAAAAJvI/SGIinMF7IEo/037b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="139" height="94"></a> </td> <td width="109" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qf124YxuctQ/Uy96OdCys-I/AAAAAAAAJvQ/03DMEr8FqKs/s1600-h/1513.jpg"><img title="151" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="151" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iqv8BqT9R2U/Uy96PYR-n6I/AAAAAAAAJvY/iO1kjEyjmN8/151_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="104"></a> </td> <td width="145" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W9YVg-AXD40/Uy96QVx8_2I/AAAAAAAAJvg/SCR08YVlDek/s1600-h/047b930x12801.jpg"><img title="047b (930x1280)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="047b (930x1280)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yTH9BPaUPKc/Uy96RwussuI/AAAAAAAAJvo/jSqy5E25g28/047b930x1280_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="91" height="124"></a> </td></tr> <tr> <td width="123" align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TGkNp2E6mig/Uy96TTsaZMI/AAAAAAAAJvw/lgb1J_XSBYc/s1600-h/1021024x6834.jpg"><img title="102 (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="102 (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HsG2XOOVNMY/Uy96VYglZvI/AAAAAAAAJv4/utQ5-hGnliQ/1021024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="136" height="104"></a></td> <td width="181" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FcutlG4cX-0/Uy96WJ0qhAI/AAAAAAAAJwA/1gxMapvJQm0/s1600-h/064b1280x8533.jpg"><img title="064b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="064b (1280x853)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lCW1jKIyUJ8/Uy96XHaob4I/AAAAAAAAJwI/Hi9eoQcEhoc/064b1280x853_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="109"></a> </td> <td width="109" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UjyS1PB28uw/Uy96YAgNjRI/AAAAAAAAJwQ/WbtDQjJeIr8/s1600-h/0761280x85321.jpg"><img title="076 (1280x853) (2)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="076 (1280x853) (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aRBe-H3aR88/Uy96Zcv3FdI/AAAAAAAAJwY/pDEyNN4N7vo/0761280x8532_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="139" height="104"></a></td> <td width="145" align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5cd1rat-W38/Uy96abcLAII/AAAAAAAAJwg/h3ZlcIqkYdo/s1600-h/061b853x12801.jpg"><img title="061b (853x1280)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="061b (853x1280)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U5A8aW7B82c/Uy96bNv8TNI/AAAAAAAAJwo/8GT3jPswb54/061b853x1280_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="89" height="124"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td width="123" align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XsMejDcxy1Q/Uy96cpQMKDI/AAAAAAAAJww/5LM2ydGYbwA/s1600-h/167b1280x8532.jpg"><img title="167b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="167b (1280x853)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rF1I828YIgs/Uy96du32BJI/AAAAAAAAJw4/oQuCEU_aHgg/167b1280x853_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="91"></a></td> <td width="181" align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gKG8q-1Yerk/Uy96eqVfqSI/AAAAAAAAJxA/CwAf1VdzULg/s1600-h/104b683x10242.jpg"><img title="104b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="104b (683x1024)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pa1Y9DYlIt0/Uy96gk7g2gI/AAAAAAAAJxI/AzGpZos93h4/104b683x1024_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="85" height="124"></a></td> <td width="109" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5acx1mQVEWk/Uy96iPX4SDI/AAAAAAAAJxQ/B8QxTDNaEYo/s1600-h/049b1280x8531.jpg"><img title="049b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="049b (1280x853)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VDxTdw1lyns/Uy96jnYgu3I/AAAAAAAAJxY/Wl3lnQ5yCdY/049b1280x853_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="122" height="124"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XsMejDcxy1Q/Uy96cpQMKDI/AAAAAAAAJww/5LM2ydGYbwA/s1600-h/167b1280x8532.jpg"></a></td> <td width="145" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WXGT9V4wJi8/Uy96k2Lx6WI/AAAAAAAAJxg/6rclu41DSAo/s1600-h/160b1024x6836.jpg"><img title="160b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="160b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WqpsSI4-QUs/Uy96mLm6hvI/AAAAAAAAJxo/ijoeXkUS7Ls/160b1024x683_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="119" height="94"></a> </td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-91967857685502116732014-03-19T09:55:00.000+13:002014-04-01T18:01:17.008+13:00Di in the Sky<p>When I wrote the title to this post, Linz said “Jeez you’re sharp this morning”!!! </p> <p>Well, I have very little camera experience with skies of any nature and since being in Wanaka I have purchased a polarising filter – which basically just means that what you see through polarised sunglasses is what you can create in your shots. Well, except if it’s moonlight. Anyway, I’m still learning so here’s some of my practice</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="650" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yr_N9ocM-sE/Uy964U801RI/AAAAAAAAJxw/ygib16-IBqs/s1600-h/005b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="005b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="005b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kuZqKcj46hA/Uy965RwYJEI/AAAAAAAAJx4/dFOXZU7k9ik/005b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="145"></a><br>delicate and somewhat sombre sunrise over Lake Wanaka<br>(at least we had sun while Auckland had a storm)</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0kXiY9O4m0k/Uy966I1S87I/AAAAAAAAJyA/5BChE6MAOwA/s1600-h/142b1024x6831.jpg"><img title="142b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="142b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c32ac3e9vn4/Uy967IqATLI/AAAAAAAAJyI/9jDZlXRJRnM/142b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="154"></a><br>dynamic sky action in the hills at the northern end of the lake – taken at 4pm and it wasn’t cold, raining or dark, just interesting</td> <td width="178" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IrF_OALwg1w/Uy967_XInWI/AAAAAAAAJyQ/c9E9dW1E9tQ/s1600-h/009b683x1024%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="009b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="009b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gMk-Tyz8xiU/Uy96824ULdI/AAAAAAAAJyY/spPVI4WOSkw/009b683x1024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="132" height="194"></a> <br>Linz liked this one<br>(keep practising Di)</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-50663610723631071482014-03-18T19:00:00.000+13:002014-04-01T18:01:07.129+13:00Do You Take Me?<p><font size="2">About half an hour after we arrived at our Lake Wanaka apartment, a helicopter landed on the lawn about 70 metres away. Next to appear were two Australians who came over here by themselves to get married and apparently Wanaka is one of the top 10 spots in the world to do this. Some of the following are not in perfect focus, but it all unfolded so quickly </font></p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="700" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="116" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gx-7iJQPnQ8/Uy95m1bsnVI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/JN718xDg8eo/s1600-h/363b1280x8534.jpg"><img title="363b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="363b (1280x853)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y8ykYgpt-ZY/Uy95oViuD0I/AAAAAAAAJtY/s7UxHYbtC64/363b1280x853_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="123" height="84"></a><br>it’s time babe, let’s go </td> <td width="116" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rZdRzRBK5BU/Uy95q1J3wrI/AAAAAAAAJtg/1Vor4MYO2Ck/s1600-h/006b1280x8534.jpg"><img title="006b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="006b (1280x853)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aziRbClvKWM/Uy95tLgJKiI/AAAAAAAAJto/v40i-XRKwns/006b1280x853_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="99" height="84"></a><br>boarding</td> <td width="116" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OM_Ghx7Gmjo/Uy95urv6foI/AAAAAAAAJtw/-BaO7rs7BM8/s1600-h/371b1280x8534.jpg"><img title="371b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="371b (1280x853)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-72M0EqGR4to/Uy95vsED98I/AAAAAAAAJt4/CBQSOpBrK6s/371b1280x853_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="123" height="84"></a><br>a posy moment</td> <td width="116" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-agHpDP6VVQQ/Uy95ygHY0nI/AAAAAAAAJuA/qKhzNf1qbhw/s1600-h/375b1280x8534.jpg"><img title="375b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="375b (1280x853)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X-1ZNqqsIpI/Uy950R7eazI/AAAAAAAAJuI/mTsfLz6OcfQ/375b1280x853_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="123" height="84"></a> are you sure babe?<br>last chance</td> <td width="127" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MqDf0koAerM/Uy952YrQqNI/AAAAAAAAJuQ/uDKLxsSR3Fw/s1600-h/380b1280x8535.jpg"><img title="380b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="380b (1280x853)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hPtGD9JwExY/Uy953Wa-KFI/AAAAAAAAJuY/sABLkUHQVa8/380b1280x853_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="84"></a><br>off we go to Twin Peaks – we’ll be back in 90 minutes</td> <td width="105" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aGH9aV72EoE/Uy955DpaHgI/AAAAAAAAJug/XnMQE5N-BO0/s1600-h/027b1280x8534.jpg"><img title="027b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="027b (1280x853)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SCNn6H6DWek/Uy956A1X0TI/AAAAAAAAJuo/XvsrOuz5ajs/027b1280x853_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="100" height="84"></a><br>thanks and goodbye to the pilot</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-89820700027064201432014-03-18T17:00:00.000+13:002014-04-01T18:00:39.278+13:00Edgewater Resort at Lake Wanaka<p>Before we left home we knew we’d want to stay somewhere very comfortable with great views after having moved camp several times in the previous days coming down the West Coast, so we booked to stay at Edgewater Resort. We found out later that it’s actually a time share and it’s expansive, very well maintained, has its own beautiful bar and restaurant and has a huge share in the wedding business as they are able to offer so much accommodation and a helicopter landing site. We were more than delighted with our spacious 1 bedroom lake front apartment and would not hesitate to stay here again, but perhaps for a month next time!</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="700" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xUVTfsLqYOs/Uy95Ke88CkI/AAAAAAAAJrw/5LQvpp1omL0/s1600-h/344b1024x6831.jpg"><img title="344b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="344b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y44PZMy7hdU/Uy95LaBWJHI/AAAAAAAAJr4/hFVhO-s5hAQ/344b1024x683_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a> <br>taken from our apartment</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xrvhL0Al9XI/Uy95OvwZbPI/AAAAAAAAJsA/q_EiRaG1Hrg/s1600-h/025b1024x6831.jpg"><img title="025b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="025b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x8Ow1LBbbg4/Uy95PpwiVBI/AAAAAAAAJsI/ObTbNHngvJ8/025b1024x683_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="122"></a><br>our lakeside block <br>(we were in a unit on the right)</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cIKD07o5FPA/Uy95Q1LlJYI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/i_DJLq_MmPA/s1600-h/001b1024x683.jpg"><img title="001b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="001b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P6yAWyrmv0Y/Uy95R2KkC-I/AAAAAAAAJsY/yqAxnZsYbdI/001b1024x683_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a> <br>sunrise across the lawn</td></tr> <tr> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u9a0f2ZxZEA/Uy95Sz8UhZI/AAAAAAAAJsg/vzkPaZ9EYUs/s1600-h/009b683x10241.jpg"><img title="009b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="009b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vATcFHEhSP8/Uy95TwNCNGI/AAAAAAAAJso/P0UdE5529iU/009b683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="127" height="204"></a><br><br>After the ruggedness of the West Coast we had some washing to do.<br>What better place to get your pants dry quickly?<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OlO520HW2yM/Uy95U93A7UI/AAAAAAAAJsw/4kXfSKiHBJI/s1600-h/012b683x1024.jpg"></a></td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OlO520HW2yM/Uy95U93A7UI/AAAAAAAAJsw/4kXfSKiHBJI/s1600-h/012b683x1024.jpg"><img title="012b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="012b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yGikp9ff-JQ/Uy95WNoft8I/AAAAAAAAJs4/vVOzHahRGRc/012b683x1024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="137" height="204"></a><br>Linz shows how massive<br>the poplars on the lake edge are</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mz0mDLKqe_A/Uy95X-mhsRI/AAAAAAAAJtA/9AWq1hFXNq8/s1600-h/208b1024x683.jpg"><img title="208b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="208b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JOwoQ3UZv8Y/Uy95aFjiW3I/AAAAAAAAJtI/J3EhS8HRq7E/208b1024x683_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a><br>There was even a yacht race on our doorstep</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-24814645807218280402014-03-18T10:00:00.000+13:002014-04-01T18:00:16.645+13:00Haast to Wanaka via Lake Hawea<p>Well, all I can say is that we were very lucky with the time of day we passed through this area and the fortunate weather conditions. We know how beautiful the South Island is and we were spoiled with stunning scenery of a different nature down our West Coast route, but we were totally unprepared for Lake Hawea</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="700" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--LfKa38YoTs/Uy4v-nYqodI/AAAAAAAAJp4/lpbHNzUbwoA/s1600-h/062b1280x8537.jpg"><img title="062b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="062b (1280x853)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8AnGynvyiXE/Uy4v_dm3TaI/AAAAAAAAJp8/IOm26yiV1tM/062b1280x853_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a> <br>driving up to the Haast Pass, we loved this sight of mist around the mountains</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7rWfkKSH9n8/Uy4wAd7CoTI/AAAAAAAAJqI/PN3GgjAIN1c/s1600-h/067b1280x8534.jpg"><img title="067b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="067b (1280x853)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BLnIqsMdC2M/Uy4wBQ-3qlI/AAAAAAAAJqQ/kMKg4sBX30M/067b1280x853_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a><br>the mist cleared to show us the<br>tip of Mt McFarlane</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yk9KPYpPbw8/Uy4wC2idM0I/AAAAAAAAJqY/fFMLwE3Bxto/s1600-h/147b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="147b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="147b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SrschtPyP3g/Uy4wD6lrvFI/AAAAAAAAJqg/UJCyUndor0U/147b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="135"></a><br>A huge shock at the top of Haast Pass – we think this was very recent and rather chilling to observe </td></tr> <tr> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3B-hTbz-KGo/Uy4wEhJk1tI/AAAAAAAAJqo/WRuSaUnnc5s/s1600-h/225b1280x8535.jpg"><img title="225b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="225b (1280x853)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kwx5URH8rGg/Uy4wFpc3kfI/AAAAAAAAJqw/NYAiSHkHFfk/225b1280x853_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="115"></a> <br>first spectacle for the day – the northern tip of Lake Wanaka.<br>It’s actually TOO MUCH scenery to take in at once so this is a mere snippet</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VuwOglSLlmY/Uy4wGjRS9pI/AAAAAAAAJq4/xM-lBi4T80Y/s1600-h/106b853x12804.jpg"><img title="106b (853x1280)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="106b (853x1280)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E4ofnNFPTLc/Uy4wHduXfdI/AAAAAAAAJrA/re5TImv6pW0/106b853x1280_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="125" height="184"></a> <br>totally indulgent photographer’s choice. We took a short stop at Pleasant Flats where there was a forested mountain stream area and this little gem was just off the track</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-botDeetkyjg/Uy4wIX08AII/AAAAAAAAJrI/UM157ipy91Q/s1600-h/266b1280x8534.jpg"><img title="266b (1280x853)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="266b (1280x853)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o7uAMLIExd0/Uy4wJab5uhI/AAAAAAAAJrQ/FPdOlDh8yXE/266b1280x853_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="134"></a><br>Linz being overwhelmed at the beauty of our first sighting of Lake Hawea,<br>but wait,<br>there<br>is<br>definitely more</td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000" size="6">….. nek minnit</font></p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="700" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="700"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wu9HBfxNbRU/Uy4wKZ2qGyI/AAAAAAAAJrY/DSFhZE5XI8c/s1600-h/3091024x6834.jpg"><img title="309 (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="309 (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eWlPNjCMJ7c/Uy4wLfqT2aI/AAAAAAAAJrg/TwwMW2YGA5s/3091024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="548" height="366"></a></td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-24676890030642745772014-03-18T08:00:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:50:36.495+13:00Give Us A Sign<p>West Coast Delights: we started you off with ‘Wee Creek’ and ‘Big Ditch’, but here’s a further selection of gems from our travels. Yes, the camera person needs a medal for all that inning and outing of the car as well as perhaps a little OCD treatment.</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="675" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="62" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aaxKIYB88io/Uy4vH4kqbFI/AAAAAAAAJm4/Fy4mnfLR2MU/s1600-h/045b683x10243.jpg"><img title="045b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="045b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DtiCrP0EwvM/Uy4vIxc1clI/AAAAAAAAJnA/kheMA9pxgrI/045b683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="100" height="84"></a> </td> <td width="126" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7yMLsBlgQw8/Uy4vJ9v2zDI/AAAAAAAAJnI/QS-CpnkByHg/s1600-h/148b4.jpg"><img title="148b" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="148b" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mIYdlTVXlZ0/Uy4vKmvwj2I/AAAAAAAAJnQ/RAXgnqOEK5c/148b_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="84"></a> </td> <td width="153" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6CQH2FF8L_Y/Uy4vLrbfEGI/AAAAAAAAJnY/9lqocbnKIIQ/s1600-h/018b1024x6836.jpg"><img title="018b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="018b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PWTlrIvjBko/Uy4vMqTPmZI/AAAAAAAAJng/cSmLBZwLfa4/018b1024x683_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="71"></a> </td> <td width="148" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AIfh4Ub1GEs/Uy4vNkjg9ZI/AAAAAAAAJno/PA0vcO-mgZE/s1600-h/083b683x10245.jpg"><img title="083b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="083b (683x1024)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FAlOb3Zfa0U/Uy4vPVvQFYI/AAAAAAAAJns/giepuIOVlWg/083b683x1024_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="101" height="84"></a> </td> <td width="122" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A8i1LI72sEE/Uy4vQQIEOoI/AAAAAAAAJn4/OMG3tT2YFtY/s1600-h/085b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="085b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="085b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u0blP1QOsbY/Uy4vR6B4o9I/AAAAAAAAJoA/5sVuDCj88YA/085b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="81" height="84"></a> </td> <td width="55" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fGBNkBmc21A/Uy4vS_gy8fI/AAAAAAAAJoI/MSYmbscgXsE/s1600-h/0914.jpg"><img title="091" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="091" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2iNqxdJwaQY/Uy4vTmgMdVI/AAAAAAAAJoQ/Far-w91y9ms/091_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="100" height="84"></a> </td></tr> <tr> <td width="62" align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lcg0Ye6-jjE/Uy4vUh5o8JI/AAAAAAAAJoY/MDAGY3VsJIw/s1600-h/029b683x10243.jpg"><img title="029b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="029b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZcVldwlb4fg/Uy4vVmogMTI/AAAAAAAAJog/zJwni3ERrF4/029b683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="88" height="84"></a></td> <td width="126" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nEAVN5aetpk/Uy4vWliXGAI/AAAAAAAAJoo/kBvQ7QzaFIc/s1600-h/017b683x10248.jpg"><img title="017b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="017b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hV5xohyxY78/Uy4vYp6e-LI/AAAAAAAAJow/RC1K3LoosQA/017b683x1024_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="72"></a> </td> <td width="153" align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X2aYO3O1QIo/Uy4vZepGeGI/AAAAAAAAJo4/mpDET01b1cU/s1600-h/094b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="094b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="094b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m3-RVJ20BxU/Uy4vadAQknI/AAAAAAAAJpA/KHJbqYLWJw4/094b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="112" height="84"></a></td> <td width="148" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g-0g5_5uqrc/Uy4vcJZVBpI/AAAAAAAAJpI/jteuc4onrc8/s1600-h/016b683x10243.jpg"><img title="016b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="016b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bZnmwWlWcck/Uy4vc2TPcKI/AAAAAAAAJpQ/-oOJ8PWdTzw/016b683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="90" height="84"></a> </td> <td width="122" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JkW1OhwPtWA/Uy4vdpWXUgI/AAAAAAAAJpY/9LNui1xHuYM/s1600-h/013B683x10243.jpg"><img title="013B (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="013B (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8UlksaOJADA/Uy4vev2qx2I/AAAAAAAAJpg/cUCN7ci8nkg/013B683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="79" height="84"></a> </td> <td width="55" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aT_0zL5zm2E/Uy4vfqtURyI/AAAAAAAAJpo/MJUBgqroOlw/s1600-h/047b683x10243.jpg"><img title="047b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="047b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-irHwVLpL_Go/Uy4vgcM7EPI/AAAAAAAAJpw/_YuOygW7d6c/047b683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="88" height="84"></a> </td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-2167256847141487132014-03-17T11:54:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:59:34.433+13:00Haast<p>From Franz Josef, we headed to Fox Glacier in the hope of enough of a mist clearance to fly over it instead, but that didn’t happen either. So, we headed inland a bit to what is normally a stunning Lake Matheson. We arrived to mist right down to the lake and it was bucketing down. Tourists headed down the path to the lake – dripping wet within 1 minute of getting out of their car, and we thought, ah no, don’t think so. So, we didn’t even sight Lake Matheson either. Very disappointed.</p> <p>Well, next on our list was Haast where we had booked a room at the Top 10 Holiday Park Motel and here are our thoughts on the matter…</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="536" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="532"><font color="#0000ff" size="4" face="Bradley Hand ITC"><strong>Way down the West Coast there’s a place called Haast<br>It’s so damned remote, there’s no cellphone maast<br>The motel was smelly but the pub was a blaast <br>We stayed for one night, but we should have whizzed paast</strong></font></td></tr></tbody></table> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="538" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="534"> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9cJu8YxR8jY/UywDdh9iJpI/AAAAAAAAJlY/U0a-vicE2Z4/s1600-h/Haast%252520pub3%252520%2525281024x768%252529.jpg"><img title="Haast pub3 (1024x768)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Haast pub3 (1024x768)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9C0n6_70FVo/Uytc7SgE5pI/AAAAAAAAJlI/jPF4APVQI6o/Haast%252520pub3%252520%2525281024x768%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="205" align="left" height="164"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Yum, Haast pub food – Linz had the Venison & Mushroom pie and I had Whitebait patties, highly recommended</p></td></tr></tbody></table> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9cJu8YxR8jY/UywDdh9iJpI/AAAAAAAAJlc/pYan9tS0auI/s1600-h/Haastpub31024x7686.jpg"></a></p> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-82164816088747071582014-03-17T10:37:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:59:22.327+13:00Franz Josef in the mist<p>Our luck ran out with the weather as we approached what we thought would be one of the highlights of our trip, Franz Josef Glacier. We had planned to overcome the fears of one of us and do a heli flight over the surrounding area and up to the glacier. Sadly, that was not to be. We were a bit adventurous and at 9pm in pitch black we walked along a track into dense forest to see a glow worm dell. It was unnerving and creepy being alone in a totally uncomfortable place, but the glow worms that we did see were beautiful as they were next to the track under a ferny bank. They are impossible to photograph without a tripod so we just enjoyed their display.</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="664" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="211" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2tm3ltCBKXY/UytRxO4YpHI/AAAAAAAAJhw/ilYvZ95mmc4/s1600-h/169b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="169b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="169b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ddLx27CG0Gs/UytRyUFRgyI/AAAAAAAAJh0/HLtXH7yRuhY/169b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="123"></a><br>We stayed at ‘10 Cottages’ – our one is by our red car. Very well appointed and still new.</td> <td width="251" align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-15ccxSbewmk/UytRzItDdTI/AAAAAAAAJiA/6KpfHJOBddg/s1600-h/172%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="172 (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="172 (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O0JTLxewBIo/UytRz0friuI/AAAAAAAAJiE/58pPi8Ft85U/172%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a><br>The view from our cottage – it should have been a stunning mountain view</td> <td width="196" align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ojjURSN8DGw/UytR0hoos5I/AAAAAAAAJiM/jr6bFFmn8us/s1600-h/199b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="199b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="199b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IaFKszHOUa4/UytR1csl55I/AAAAAAAAJiY/ksCTivloKns/199b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="114"></a><br>on a misty and rainy day, this is the street view of Franz Josef township and all we saw of the mountain tops</td></tr> <tr> <td width="211" align="center"> <p align="right"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JNBDYhNkfB0/UytR2AfdxsI/AAAAAAAAJig/Ri3HS3M247o/s1600-h/042b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="042b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="042b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4sPcEU1Pz_w/UytR24JOcSI/AAAAAAAAJio/n7omOITDXe0/042b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="70" align="right" height="109"></a> <br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vRFE3Q17q8M/UytR30M243I/AAAAAAAAJiw/UoMgiW0BLIw/s1600-h/038b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="038b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="038b (683x1024)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MEeh8trNG3g/UytR4pfab5I/AAAAAAAAJi4/iQUqhAS7dgY/038b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" align="left" height="154"></a></p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="center">can’t resist a quaint church</p></td> <td width="251" align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5mr6n5iJlh8/UytR5fb_iBI/AAAAAAAAJjA/r5UKOaHYf3s/s1600-h/010b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="010b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="010b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y0BTZeL-uDo/UytR6eFs6ZI/AAAAAAAAJjE/G4c_GVdTEpc/010b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a><br>this sums up our experience of Franz Josef unfortunately</td> <td width="196" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0GnPGcIoGIE/UytR7F0NgVI/AAAAAAAAJjQ/5_0e2HxQqKY/s1600-h/046b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="046b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="046b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nS1yFZRlOoQ/UytR8HqdWlI/AAAAAAAAJjY/olL0_ZbjEh8/046b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="120"></a><br>As we couldn’t fly up to the glacier, we were going to walk to the base of it, but it was pouring with rain and misty, in a word, miserable. We turned back and headed for the carpark</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-47945496334817550702014-03-16T21:43:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:59:04.779+13:00Remote spots on the way south: Okarito & Whataroa<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="647" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="231" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N3jyoupeSEc/UyqqR45a9SI/AAAAAAAAJfY/z6EK8UgdroE/s1600-h/102b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="102b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="102b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QeV0NHv7sZg/UyqqS4GCp5I/AAAAAAAAJfg/kMutlarDsH4/102b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="139"></a> <br>a local? a tourist? panning for gold in the Whataroa River<br>ah, good luck with that</td> <td width="232" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Wx0AWGqEfR8/UyqqT25SxWI/AAAAAAAAJfo/Dpq_z7OU-QY/s1600-h/105b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="105b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="105b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sU5N-ZuYXC4/UyqqUipUm2I/AAAAAAAAJfw/sMPZe875pEg/105b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="144"></a><br>intense colour of glacial water<br> in the Whataroa River </td> <td width="178" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-utidmQp26uM/UyqqVme0AJI/AAAAAAAAJf4/zqDvqu3sySk/s1600-h/114b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="114b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="114b (683x1024)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-twp72gaKAOo/UyqqWgdLzFI/AAAAAAAAJgA/hOrXqFF2tmQ/114b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="110" height="164"></a> <br>Okarito KiwiTours - business is booming – or not</td></tr> <tr> <td width="231" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F_dTeDbF1AE/UyqqXfEDZVI/AAAAAAAAJgI/ayPima5ZAx4/s1600-h/120b%252520%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="120b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="120b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6cZVhQ_g_DM/UyqqYXJwzPI/AAAAAAAAJgQ/MF_JYaVKaGU/120b%252520%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="131"></a><br>Albert’s Hut is so cute, beautifully gardened at the front and his own allotment out the back </td> <td width="232" align="center"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KmVZMGIEzI8/UyqqZ_EbkSI/AAAAAAAAJgY/KblyCfNnQTc/s1600-h/123b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="123b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="123b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4qo8YRFFytA/UyqqarzRvOI/AAAAAAAAJgg/8wwlopRpg48/123b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="116"></a> <br>A dismal day at Lake Okarito – the sign on the RH side says ‘INFORMATION’ but it’s hard to imagine what about</p></td> <td width="178" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2fFpaq3_oyQ/Uyqqc54msGI/AAAAAAAAJgo/rT7V_kCkDlY/s1600-h/124b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="124b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="124b (683x1024)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SbGiEea9Kt0/UyqqdkSld_I/AAAAAAAAJgw/KeF3sLXFhtk/124b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="94" height="164"></a> </td></tr> <tr> <td width="231" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cpEPF50YgYo/Uyqqe0n2rBI/AAAAAAAAJg4/GCsP63-DxzI/s1600-h/136b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="136b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="136b (683x1024)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q3Ua_r4WKm8/Uyqqf8rKnDI/AAAAAAAAJhA/BaKpLwpvy04/136b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="84" height="144"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gCuvtWN9ugc/Uyqqggyca8I/AAAAAAAAJhI/J32uXQppgGI/s1600-h/133b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="133b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="133b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q8L5DT7ymMc/UyqqhQJD31I/AAAAAAAAJhQ/k6gE07WcZxA/133b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="83" height="144"></a></td> <td width="232" align="center">Left: If you is going West over the bridge, you is at Forks, but if you is coming back again, you is at Orks<br><br>Right: As I leap out of the car for a photo of our first sighting of snow, who should ride past but the Kiev Chapter of the Ukranian Harley Club, of course</td> <td width="178" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jOe7R1k3s8s/UyqqiZyt0VI/AAAAAAAAJhY/1zfslmqG6Tw/s1600-h/151b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="151b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="151b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7f8jnblPZE0/UyqqjBrE1CI/AAAAAAAAJhg/vBYNW8Z40aQ/151b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="123" height="144"></a> </td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-18590386907268439592014-03-16T14:00:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:50:36.490+13:00West Coast Decorating Ideas for your next painting project<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="548" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="172" align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lAuRxmJEtQw/UyqdSOka8yI/AAAAAAAAJfI/bzolAuYrGuA/s1600-h/170b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="170b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="170b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6Ytpwgqt-54/UyqdTZQ323I/AAAAAAAAJdk/KtI3dA4CpJo/170b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="102"></a></td> <td width="196" align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OikIkVV6N3Q/UyqdUA67r5I/AAAAAAAAJds/4UcVCD2nuOE/s1600-h/168b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="168b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="168b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k9mzggS0SlI/UyqdUzPOlDI/AAAAAAAAJd4/F7QTES_boCw/168b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="110"></a></td> <td width="174" align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VFWrY2XQ4Tg/UyqdVgXSkhI/AAAAAAAAJeA/4jqnAC8-_n8/s1600-h/001b%252520%2525281024x768%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="001b (1024x768)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="001b (1024x768)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f1nkiSAF3eY/UyqdWnKQ-WI/AAAAAAAAJeI/M2AmxPLHct0/001b%252520%2525281024x768%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="116"></a> </td></tr> <tr> <td width="172" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kV1oWNZMrNQ/UyqdXX--7jI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/UDfksN9VIx0/s1600-h/005b%252520%2525281024x768%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="005b (1024x768)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="005b (1024x768)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZlfWAme27QQ/UyqdYE3gPuI/AAAAAAAAJeY/qUO1guQtj9Y/005b%252520%2525281024x768%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="97"></a> </td> <td width="196" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pzUVmc8P4tk/UyqdY9ogcvI/AAAAAAAAJeg/CnIad6Jr45A/s1600-h/070b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="070b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="070b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yJ5uw7Z1dL8/UyqdZj_lyyI/AAAAAAAAJeo/7iY5L8rI7B8/070b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="104"></a> </td> <td width="174" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ib1W_1habzc/UyqdaSBZsuI/AAAAAAAAJew/8VH7qjNNJJg/s1600-h/198b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="198b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="198b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yN3zDESWTpI/UyqdbXPx75I/AAAAAAAAJe4/G9a2MULt8yk/198b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="129"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lAuRxmJEtQw/UyqdSOka8yI/AAAAAAAAJfM/AN7V-5d2EIo/s1600-h/170b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"></a></td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-44989107930796465042014-03-16T10:36:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:54:41.140+13:00Hokitika<p>Though we visited Hokitika in light rain, the town had a much more vibrant feel than Greymouth. Tourism is the main business these days and we saw a few interesting travellers as well as some charismatic locals. </p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="675" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="194" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GdTuPlCVmmc/UyorylwcxJI/AAAAAAAAJbU/hQBbp2DY6TM/s1600-h/030b683x10245.jpg"><img title="030b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="030b (683x1024)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T9Xb2JHPkZg/Uyorz9YcRGI/AAAAAAAAJbc/3ds0Zg33RpY/030b683x1024_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="117" height="174"></a> <br>Really, are you serious?</td> <td width="243" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wpsWuy32x68/Uyor0qAvqCI/AAAAAAAAJbk/FDTLhyMILwU/s1600-h/025b1024x6836.jpg"><img title="025b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="025b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--4hYdX5YWOo/Uyor1eWG1UI/AAAAAAAAJbo/E5Vb36ddwN4/025b1024x683_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="144"></a><br>a well cared for example of a sort of neo-gothic church in Hokitika</td> <td width="232" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ihkyYzdCvR8/Uyor2G0bAXI/AAAAAAAAJbw/3bS55ARJK0s/s1600-h/066b1024x6837.jpg"><img title="066b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="066b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uoLW00Fe2Wc/Uyor3MurxvI/AAAAAAAAJb4/SuPjK1bWACA/066b1024x683_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="173" height="144"></a><br>the locals out for lunch</td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="673" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="342"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9-dtkL87PV8/Uyor33GxaqI/AAAAAAAAJcE/i4jgIpECLU8/s1600-h/051b1024x683239x4982.jpg"><img title="051b (1024x683) (239x498)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="051b (1024x683) (239x498)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LQ6Q57GZr3o/Uyor48oxqzI/AAAAAAAAJcM/V0jo2JrY0TE/051b1024x683239x498_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="119" align="right" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bn9PwfyCz5s/Uyor5jha3II/AAAAAAAAJcU/VOLYTsiXj8s/s1600-h/049b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="049b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="049b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0pIRTJg1kT4/Uyor7jfYyLI/AAAAAAAAJcc/l0UgZbzlNTg/049b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" align="left" height="104"></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>for a moment we thought time had stood still in Hokitika as these two gems pulled up right in front of us</td> <td valign="top" width="326"> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k9_b8lwIsOo/Uyor8EeSZ_I/AAAAAAAAJck/_VqUDPXCU1s/s1600-h/060b683x10245.jpg"><img title="060b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="060b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xG3QwccMfIw/Uyor9BKKHwI/AAAAAAAAJcs/PyY0LBSsP7Y/060b683x1024_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="114" align="left" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AptVAsB05wk/Uyor_OvC34I/AAAAAAAAJc0/APNlLHKAzaQ/s1600-h/062b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="062b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="062b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FOQX_IXXXp0/Uyor__r3TYI/AAAAAAAAJc8/k_jNt7kO01Y/062b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" height="117"></a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br>and then, in complete contrast as I round the corner, I encounter none other than the Kiev Chapter of the Ukranian Harley Club on a tour of the South Island. Of course, who else would you expect? I also met the owner of the bikes who lives in NZ but organises these tours all over the world including Australia and Africa. These are Auckland Harleys.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-11923991391550409222014-03-15T20:40:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:54:18.692+13:00Greymouth<p>Well, we finally reached it. The town has hit hard times for sure and a one night stay was ample. Only three things made the camera person get out of the car for a photo …</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="689" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="293" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9lwlf7oaAOc/UyoWM8Vgo4I/AAAAAAAAJaQ/eCriLh5A2a4/s1600-h/009%252520%2525281024x768%252529.jpg"><img title="009 (1024x768)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="009 (1024x768)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mmJHHRT8DDg/UylwZUokeGI/AAAAAAAAJaY/f08nzT4o4Uk/009%252520%2525281024x768%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="173"></a> <br>Well yes, it’s more rock formations, but take a closer look at the grey patch on the other side of the river.<br>Gotta love the ‘No Camping’ sign …. as if.</td> <td width="222" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gyyl6u0xb5c/UyoXBHtnRgI/AAAAAAAAJas/npQhXdPYyeY/s1600-h/015%252520%252528768x1024%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="015 (768x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="015 (768x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--5XCAFY6JCg/UyoXCIs0rVI/AAAAAAAAJa0/9i91SwkOj2U/015%252520%252528768x1024%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="138" align="left" height="194"></a> This definitely gets the vote for creativity.<br>love it, love it, want one</td> <td width="168" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0jTeHgSYPyc/UyoXC48mfVI/AAAAAAAAJa8/PmBGP70XbwE/s1600-h/009%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="009 (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="009 (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9vZBUVOii5w/UyoXDv6S6YI/AAAAAAAAJbE/WIY6H_oMZTY/009%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="114"></a> Skullduggery in Greymouth!!!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-27608538395417934892014-03-15T11:01:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:54:04.038+13:00Punakaiki Rocks, Seaweed and Wekas<p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LfZHLaAmR5k/UylvVjjZcJI/AAAAAAAAJXk/oAAK-pdBqhs/s1600-h/493b1024x6838.jpg"><img title="493b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="493b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xrmV89YedQA/UylvWji4HVI/AAAAAAAAJXs/EwF_sGjR7hE/493b1024x683_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="143" align="left" height="109"></a> Still pressing southwards from Westport we arrived at the famous Punakaiki (Pancake) Rocks. We were extremely impressed with the vast network of well constructed paths, stairways and viewing platforms providing excellent viewing of all the different features. Even though we are almost at the end of the summer tourist season, it was definitely foreign-tourist city here. We haven’t encountered any Kiwi tourists yet!</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="684" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="233" align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TIv8XN6qyrA/UylvX-6mfjI/AAAAAAAAJX0/s_sNKSHXIzg/s1600-h/351b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="351b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="351b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X_R80gWz19Y/UylvY6uku1I/AAAAAAAAJX8/CfgYeUPfMQU/351b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="143"></a><br>The classic postcard view of Punakaiki Rocks. (Gosh, I get to shoot a lot of rocks, don’t you think?)</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xNCxzkKbnm8/UylvZ6kPk8I/AAAAAAAAJYE/2wCXWuD9wbU/s1600-h/458b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="458b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="458b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nquQwiFo-5M/Uylvav3dPjI/AAAAAAAAJYM/Q91nF0Zo90I/458b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="144"></a><br>The massive blowhole wasn’t blowing today, but the Surge Pool was in violent performance mode</td> <td width="212" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7ZbqLMd5iG8/UylvbpotfII/AAAAAAAAJYU/HSdiQvYaObs/s1600-h/425b683x10244.jpg"><img title="425b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="425b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xZ9I7cpMUwA/UylvcvlDOOI/AAAAAAAAJYc/y_KZE8PRyec/425b683x1024_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="184"></a> <br>a different side of things<br>(Linz thinks this is Gorilla-like (??))</td></tr> <tr> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ub9TVBpjv0E/UylvdlGSvvI/AAAAAAAAJYk/ZWDlXE2hKKs/s1600-h/470b1024x6838.jpg"><img title="470b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="470b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iTCq1f6WNtE/UylveRMu6AI/AAAAAAAAJYs/mhvt1h6dKu8/470b1024x683_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="164"></a> <br>Fascinating thick and lengthy seaweed is attached to all lower rocks</td> <td width="233" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wMk3ahys_QE/UylvfaYUPbI/AAAAAAAAJY0/nCgPHV_YGFs/s1600-h/323b683x10243.jpg"><img title="323b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="323b (683x1024)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z-inmn9Es_4/UylvgSVrmLI/AAAAAAAAJY8/X0y_jWou0bw/323b683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="131" height="194"></a> <br>It really must be dyna-bolted on to survive the current created by the tremendous tidal surges</td> <td width="212" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vOLQfmY41yk/UylvhSYgDiI/AAAAAAAAJZE/AGmY6zDNZOw/s1600-h/476b1024x6837.jpg"><img title="476b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="476b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-km8l5sJB3Hs/UylvjKNNLXI/AAAAAAAAJZM/5FqjOj90y_0/476b1024x683_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="137"></a><br><br>Gettin’ a head</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-85392600518675957712014-03-15T09:25:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:53:38.642+13:00Cape Foulwind<p>Just out of Westport is Carters Beach, and further down, Cape Foulwind and the Seal Colony. Here’s some unexpected excerpts from our visit …</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="672" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="213" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4epdbOlKr_o/UylWZOaXlSI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/YiGwzKkQx00/s1600-h/012b%252520%252528683x1024%252529.jpg"><img title="012b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="012b (683x1024)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mmvppMl07VI/UylWcVt1SxI/AAAAAAAAJaE/le56_2zfOwQ/012b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="138" height="174"></a> <br>I met Jono standing on his hut at Carters Beach. He was chuffed that I loved his t-shirt</td> <td width="231" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y4yTvETOP7A/UylWdLWNYyI/AAAAAAAAJVY/ewvAbJ-cIsU/s1600-h/265b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="265b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="265b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p9Smt_ZIj6k/UylWd5H5VTI/AAAAAAAAJVg/2xbzebGrNKE/265b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="137"></a><br>Cape Foulwind is another 8kms further on and we arrived to misty conditions and poor visibility …</td> <td width="222" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ltHsv2_YPx0/UylWe_aZV3I/AAAAAAAAJVs/sHXNkz6DFCc/s1600-h/130b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="130b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="130b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K-kPNX4-Fhs/UylWfs_PXCI/AAAAAAAAJV0/4vjMDbj7hS8/130b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="138"></a><br>… then some unidentified eejit<br>lit a fire just to add<br>to the visibility issue</td></tr> <tr> <td width="213" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nXjQVvj8pQ4/UylWgqPgR2I/AAAAAAAAJV8/d6WhO7QdLEw/s1600-h/190b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="190b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="190b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DVogvj8iCGk/UylWhj1qvkI/AAAAAAAAJWE/0bj2xsG6d3k/190b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a><br>High seas drama unfolding on rocky outcrops</td> <td width="231" align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q2a_KTcLwRs/UylbRcDCcgI/AAAAAAAAJWw/HCmt6c8dAfk/s1600-h/114b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="114b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="114b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ceWNhsttHmg/UylbSeGdRaI/AAAAAAAAJW4/7UeascMwlSY/114b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="124"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AhKGfKckzZU/UylbTZ-6q7I/AAAAAAAAJXA/OzWuABwPong/s1600-h/121%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="121 (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="121 (683x1024)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A-deBFdzh3I/UylbUWydYnI/AAAAAAAAJXI/PtnB0EiiQRg/121%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="87" height="154"></a> <br>Joe Tourist & <br>the Cape Foulwind lighthouse</td> <td width="222" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c5i88cb9fRA/UylWlxGNXtI/AAAAAAAAJWc/nRmOD4j5Wkg/s1600-h/156b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="156b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="156b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AXxgJKiiRHA/UylWmnACIII/AAAAAAAAJWk/fMbiyaNzD_g/156b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="130"></a><br>The Seal Colony proved to be underwhelming (after Kaikoura) but this person chose the the picnic area to call home. As a Kiwi, I felt embarrassed as there were many foreign tourists passing by</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-902517078278130642014-03-14T23:45:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:53:19.269+13:00Seddonville, Denniston Mine & Other Coast treats<p>Also along the Karamea Bight is a place called Seddonville, named after King Dick Seddon, longest serving NZ Prime Minister. Hicksville would have been a more appropriate name.</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="555" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K0Y117Aker4/UygFaiNHBNI/AAAAAAAAJU0/KUGkHPXfBjo/s1600-h/121b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="121b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="121b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z59J3TcKayU/UygFbt7KORI/AAAAAAAAJU8/TkOE0siPUvU/121b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="131" height="194"></a> Seddonville, this pretty much sums it up. The dog’s owner is the publican/dairy owner/postman/motelier </td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MKFDa2WIb1M/UyfA-bk1dUI/AAAAAAAAJRM/uqj6FhGaRMs/s1600-h/138b683x10243.jpg"><img title="138b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="138b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2o_1TYtQbCg/UyfA_UDyqzI/AAAAAAAAJRU/BC4yDYCjXeE/138b683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="131" height="194"></a> <br>front door that hasn’t<br>been used in a while</td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cyEXQLsyHeQ/UyfBAOnxApI/AAAAAAAAJRc/2oQjaqkPwqo/s1600-h/140b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="140b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="140b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IKdwDHsrY_g/UyfBA5PD5QI/AAAAAAAAJRk/lIG8Sjg9-J4/140b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="125"></a> <br>sad example of dilapidated housing in the area</td></tr> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YW0XE9slk30/UyfBBhwtS3I/AAAAAAAAJRs/GVTwLETFNDw/s1600-h/128b1024x6835.jpg"><img title="128b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="128b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mwnlxKYmqYA/UyfBCZwMmMI/AAAAAAAAJR0/2811G7b-oEQ/128b1024x683_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="136"></a> <br>now, this was funny …..<br>For Sale, but don’t forget the…..</td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SIMKV4_WD3U/UyfBDCG7NzI/AAAAAAAAJR8/mzV-zn-HL98/s1600-h/133b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="133b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="133b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jgAbczAv-78/UyfBD3zw2LI/AAAAAAAAJSE/WwxC3D5qcN8/133b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="119"></a> <br>… garage that comes with it, <br>and wait, there’s more …</td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gw3ekA7G2T4/UyfBEq8cy0I/AAAAAAAAJSM/fua8JluEEto/s1600-h/131b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="131b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="131b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ylWx8DRTZCY/UyfBFB7WzDI/AAAAAAAAJSQ/-PaItvkuv4I/131b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="136"></a><br>if you are really interested, you can look it up on TradeMe!!! (I found it on a new listing #68997525)</td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Although we opted not to do the 2 hour tour of the old Denniston Coal Mine, we did visit the site and found more than enough of interest. This mine is very high up the mountain and was an important site of coal production from 1880’s to 1970’s. It was famous for the engineering feat known as the Denniston Incline, an enormously steep railway track which allowed coal to be transported down to Westport. It’s difficult to show the perspective of the incline in photos but it is mind-boggling to stand at the top and look down.</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="550" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oNDxNSny42s/UyfBF-YdunI/AAAAAAAAJSU/kL-pUDKT1QM/s1600-h/220b1024x6835.jpg"><img id="img_3720960c-2030-4cb2-84d6-1d5eb7e67ba0" title="220b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="220b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-smMg6r8nqzs/UyfBGsIBNxI/AAAAAAAAJSc/_SJFVfz2YGU/220b1024x683_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="152" height="124"></a> <br>old mine cart</td> <td width="183" align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vgO1qNlfF9c/UyfBHTjpRWI/AAAAAAAAJSo/iJjoLnV1OJs/s1600-h/278b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="278b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="278b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jQHY1XsnAh0/UyfBIwwvYQI/AAAAAAAAJSw/dvQlY0LfXMI/278b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a><br>huge old cable pulley wheels</td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JiFFl9nytic/UyfBJq3_3-I/AAAAAAAAJS4/lmrjt0GDiFg/s1600-h/242b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="242b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="242b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m4jE5AarmS8/UyfBKjAsCjI/AAAAAAAAJS8/qKxQlWZhlKU/242b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="139"></a><br>Old wagon used to get the<br>coal down the mountain side. Imagine how heavy that was when full of coal</td></tr> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yMx62_Idb8Y/UyfBLC1EaqI/AAAAAAAAJTM/iC97n3Scrn4/s1600-h/269b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="269b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="269b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Al3spHxyMNE/UyfBMMU29_I/AAAAAAAAJTQ/mmIOBUxvFBM/269b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="138"></a><br>what’s left of the loading area<br>at the top of the mountain</td> <td width="183" align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2n_xAZOi0ZU/UyfBM7NE20I/AAAAAAAAJTU/01TEWFbqzyU/s1600-h/248b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="248b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="248b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_-kPLaEGKGo/UyfBNg4WxZI/AAAAAAAAJTg/pzHgmT9rc_w/248b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a><br>this is where the coal wagons started their descent<br>over the edge</td> <td width="183" align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w3UbXG_wGcM/UyfBOlMa5KI/AAAAAAAAJTs/TllCg_yaw1E/s1600-h/264b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="264b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="264b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JAyliOCMZhs/UyfBPVABmnI/AAAAAAAAJT0/YMQUv-f_iiM/264b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a><br>and this is at the top of the Incline looking down. The 2 bare patches of ground right in the middle of the photo are part of the wagon tracks that lead through a tunnel and over the edge of the lower mountain – astronomically steep</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>and a couple of other treats</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="550" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HP2oWi-bsCs/UyfBQMYNB6I/AAAAAAAAJT8/W7nJWT8PHpw/s1600-h/015b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="015b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="015b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O3LjTHd0SOY/UyfBRJ8LO3I/AAAAAAAAJUE/Se9TgeTiQXw/015b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="116" height="154"></a><br>there’s a theme<br>goin’ on here </td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nX6OUtCVFqg/UyfBR3KoaJI/AAAAAAAAJUI/sG3A_FrbnyE/s1600-h/176b1024x6836.jpg"><img title="176b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="176b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YPphrGSrLEU/UyfBSihrpYI/AAAAAAAAJUU/4oi4Zcjx4rU/176b1024x683_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="139" height="154"></a> <br>one of us always has a<br>soft spot for a <br>good looking chook</td> <td width="183" align="center"> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9F1E1kZdudQ/UyfBTEBgywI/AAAAAAAAJUc/forXnf8T6Nw/s1600-h/157b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="157b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="157b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bwSUHUknRKg/UyfBUANt6tI/AAAAAAAAJUk/9Ofo1yKDCPg/157b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="134"></a><br>an attractive setting for one of the area’s largest (but most unpopular) employers – Solid Energy</p></td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-61247132117455057792014-03-14T11:59:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:51:55.307+13:00Up the Karamea Bight to a place called Granity<p>On another stunning day we head northwards from Westport along the Karamea Coast. This is a remote part of NZ that most people wouldn’t ever see because this coast road is no exit and goes another 75kms to Karamea and then a further 25 kms to the start of the Heaphy Track. The first tiny settlement we came to was a place called Granity. On closer inspection we think we know why it is so named …</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="550" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qSC37427QHg/Uye997TNpQI/AAAAAAAAJPg/W6M_LVNaQbc/s1600-h/017b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="017b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="017b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WXCyMrYCva8/Uye9-wmDn9I/AAAAAAAAJPo/gBrR8hw6FsI/017b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="116"></a> <br>First view of Granity Beach, looking southwards</td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qLc8edLelYk/Uye9_itUITI/AAAAAAAAJPs/MXuLVQVA3Do/s1600-h/052b1024x6834.jpg"><img title="052b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="052b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kk_FhPAFp9s/Uye-AYan_zI/AAAAAAAAJPw/vZ_PiHi-XaI/052b1024x683_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="118"></a><br>A sample of (yet more) <br>rocks and I am positive<br>they are all GRANITE </td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z_IA0iZYDYs/Uye-A7JI9YI/AAAAAAAAJP8/Etok2Nuoato/s1600-h/048b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="048b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="048b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WHxEjYwBpYw/Uye-Bh9vCEI/AAAAAAAAJQE/ZnFgAv6uUO0/048b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a><br>Granity Beach, looking northwards </td></tr> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p2Xwnj2kbRw/Uye-Cban4II/AAAAAAAAJQM/Oowe5t_mtdM/s1600-h/078b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="078b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="078b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Basq5HewVeE/Uye-DhQ91bI/AAAAAAAAJQU/vwZXn5SIQpg/078b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="139"></a> <br>One of the locals<br>comes out to greet me</td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2ZGMkrdi9Rc/Uye-Eak6PTI/AAAAAAAAJQg/mhxD5HwN884/s1600-h/088b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="088b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="088b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sax8RLUeZWQ/Uye-FK-ymsI/AAAAAAAAJQo/HS36dlM_J4E/088b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="85" align="left" height="204"></a> <strong><font size="4" face="Calibri">WHAT<br>NUMBER<br>DID<br>YOU<br>SAY<br>YOU <br>LIVE<br>AT<br>AGAIN??</font></strong></td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UE8X1Nd1Jas/Uye-HCeQ0dI/AAAAAAAAJQw/2YVEv4azXcA/s1600-h/091b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="091b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="091b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YbLbwGhIoAQ/Uye-Hw8BtYI/AAAAAAAAJQ4/O8g7MuAF1_M/091b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a> <br>Interesting house for rent<br>at Granity </td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-51829096566648703742014-03-14T11:27:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:50:36.507+13:00Westport: Sea, Sky, and Shaggy Dogs<p> </p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="551" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="181" align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IZhzPIbTcpU/UyYTw0toK5I/AAAAAAAAJM4/ydlp9IZHnJU/s1600-h/187b%252520%252528683x1024%252529.jpg"><img title="187b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="187b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HNOI0ahSIao/UyYTx4jzkxI/AAAAAAAAJNA/NR2Kht2eoKY/187b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="102" height="144"></a> <br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zbVmodyT5vc/UyYTy6hj8UI/AAAAAAAAJNI/1PzHP5NseOQ/s1600-h/257b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="257b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="257b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bSQY8c6oxKM/UyYTzr98TOI/AAAAAAAAJNQ/caV0o4sKIMo/257b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="84"></a> <br>‘Not more rock photos’ Linz said, but I like them</td> <td width="182" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yi9JO9xtG_M/UyYT0a0p2QI/AAAAAAAAJNY/c5M4x3kIzE4/s1600-h/161b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="161b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="161b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TL4Yv58Fv7E/UyYT2KdAuEI/AAAAAAAAJNg/vZa-6s_2_YI/161b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="132"></a> Municipal Chambers,<br>symbol of Westport</td> <td width="182" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FZU55V-uWCc/UyYT2xSnS_I/AAAAAAAAJNo/_Ev9VWPBcvI/s1600-h/029b683x10243.jpg"><img title="029b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="029b (683x1024)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FkTRQIYtupo/UyYT40BA12I/AAAAAAAAJNw/URZDqG4K1EA/029b683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="170"></a> <br>Friday night entertainment</td></tr> <tr> <td width="181" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ft7IosqQCQo/UyYT6t5FJHI/AAAAAAAAJN0/Qi0uY3XLMdw/s1600-h/044b683x10243.jpg"><img title="044b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="044b (683x1024)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l9oKKiOIP0c/UyYT7Yu9t3I/AAAAAAAAJOA/9uz43kWb43U/044b683x1024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="171"></a> </td> <td width="182" align="center"><font color="#538cd6"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zm6UAeSdBTo/UyYT8CQUdDI/AAAAAAAAJOI/g-Ouz4gb4U4/s1600-h/042b1024x6838.jpg"><img title="042b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="042b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9gI9wbGuG7Q/UyYT83tJZWI/AAAAAAAAJOM/SuA-YhHSXhE/042b1024x683_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a><br>We stumbled upon a dog show at Carters Beach … here are some of the more memorable contestants </font></td> <td width="182" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-djpIzIPe1iU/UyYT9oqbsTI/AAAAAAAAJOU/T3K7721L7z8/s1600-h/040b1024x6837.jpg"><img title="040b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="040b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tyhonPPzZu0/UyYT-SThhcI/AAAAAAAAJOg/ePTX4xnh8aU/040b1024x683_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="167"></a> </td></tr> <tr> <td width="181" align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iyanlYkJfwU/UyYT_Y-t66I/AAAAAAAAJOo/hqYuEajDMB8/s1600-h/272%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="272 (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="272 (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WCFbZkv8loc/UyYUAIs-hXI/AAAAAAAAJOw/vTQOoBZtsA0/272%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="95"></a> The main Wesport employer, Holcim, came past in one of their boats while I was practising sunset shots. It’s the sky drama that appeals in this photo</td> <td width="182" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O4ixxwDB_z4/UyYUAxKSxTI/AAAAAAAAJO0/JPgA-ebv43I/s1600-h/205b1024x6833.jpg"><img title="205b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="205b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xUbA1OSJi0w/UyYUBrfbG8I/AAAAAAAAJPA/fSo6R-Ih9Ao/205b1024x683_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a> Spent 1½ hours on a squillion sunset shots and this was about as good as it got on Day 1</td> <td width="182" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QMi38-ZuXbU/UyYUCU7Q1gI/AAAAAAAAJPI/_6tSfOFA5EY/s1600-h/069b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="069b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="069b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4iXhxmLbu-Q/UyYUDmzxcWI/AAAAAAAAJPM/QlL1WmAkU9M/069b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a><br>Day 2 of practise <br>sunset shots in Westport </td></tr> <tr> <td width="181" align="center"> </td> <td width="182" align="center"> </td> <td width="182" align="center"> </td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-13754482042058884642014-03-13T17:56:00.000+13:002014-04-01T17:49:46.392+13:00Heading to the West Coast<p>We had more excellent weather for our drive from Hanmer Springs over the Lewis Pass, through Reefton and the Buller Gorge to Westport and here’s some points of interest along the way …</p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="550" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="217" align="center"> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ItKaTnrtAyQ/UyVn6slDqCI/AAAAAAAAJJc/LEOO-YWwv6k/s1600-h/237b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="237b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="237b (683x1024)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m4o7nHwm4II/UyVn7us7AyI/AAAAAAAAJJk/yqtavncUm-A/237b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="108" align="right" height="164"></a> Artwork on Conical Hill reservoir at Hanmer –</p> <p>what does the rabbit mean?</p></td> <td width="149" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rUPi4bG9LlM/UyVn9V0PbpI/AAAAAAAAJJs/Gq9de8pYi2c/s1600-h/030b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="030b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="030b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sAXJEd3roQw/UyVn-TixicI/AAAAAAAAJJ0/zWiza2nlYEQ/030b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="128"></a>On the road to Lewis Pass – does this mean ‘little’ or is it a pit stop? </td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sOtxfPwXTNk/UyVn_tVEiSI/AAAAAAAAJLw/kuqyqDrPLSA/s1600-h/071b%252520%2525281024x683%252529.jpg"><img title="071b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="071b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CjkKXsbuzAo/UyVoAQxlXsI/AAAAAAAAJL4/TevniQCIzeg/071b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="135"></a>An Inter Island Fairy door in the base of a tree in Reefton (Aniela this one’s for you)</td></tr></tbody></table> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="550" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="137" align="center"> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RINPdxIF73k/UyVoCHoER_I/AAAAAAAAJMA/sDHHnA6LThI/s1600-h/076b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="076b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="076b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n00OXPkGcZ8/UyVoC6hJM7I/AAAAAAAAJMI/LS0VBSWVxpQ/076b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="117"></a><br>Main Street Reefton <br>- not much goin’ on</p></td> <td width="137" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dqFaKqJtzJ8/UyVoD-uhTZI/AAAAAAAAJKc/fMXaPZH6cW0/s1600-h/011b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="011b (683x1024)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="011b (683x1024)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ERBFXC-3IJg/UyVoE58xsXI/AAAAAAAAJKk/VP441moi9PY/011b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="112" height="144"></a><br>But did you <br>know this then? </td> <td width="137" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xjCV-UJUEI8/UyVq2ky7m2I/AAAAAAAAJMQ/Q1mbnfKXK-o/s1600-h/102b%252520%252528683x1024%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="102b (683x1024)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="102b (683x1024)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kI1fs8O92oA/UyVq3f7_wCI/AAAAAAAAJMY/J3Kh-PkfYZA/102b%252520%252528683x1024%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="107" height="144"></a><br> they still light<br> the street</td> <td width="137" align="center"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b4KpAEGHMcI/UyVoF32x3UI/AAAAAAAAJMg/s1WAemuYmZo/s1600-h/079b%252520%2525281024x683%252529.jpg"><img title="079b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="079b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g2-Mog7sSa0/UyVoG7v5x4I/AAAAAAAAJMo/yLS_Qr4mRyE/079b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="114"></a><br>Reefton Court House …<br>we think they let the crims choose the colour scheme</p></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="617" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="199" align="center"> <p align="left">Yes folks, more than 5 <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ij6BIErS_xo/UyVoHvcZHbI/AAAAAAAAJK8/J044HPTGmVA/s1600-h/141di%252520%252528683x1024%252529%252520%2525282%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="141di (683x1024) (2)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="141di (683x1024) (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1NBhitrIA2c/UyVoIqSw59I/AAAAAAAAJLA/JFEjr44-aQI/141di%252520%252528683x1024%252529%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="102" align="right" height="184"></a>minutes in Reefton could drive a woman crazy enough to buy a bargain rock chick leather jacket at the Op Shop </p></td> <td width="220" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-45Om5zRRu30/UyVoJsNX4_I/AAAAAAAAJLM/qnUnxJgaSeA/s1600-h/106b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="106b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="106b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rOr973-8lb4/UyVoKRiqKHI/AAAAAAAAJLU/9pb_c_qucZQ/106b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="134"></a><br>very interesting rock formations everywhere – is this granite, marble or none of the above?</td> <td width="192" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hLVVfPqh23k/UyVoLaBVNYI/AAAAAAAAJLc/XBqEQ0Q0RVc/s1600-h/136b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="136b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="136b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fYVc4cVvI2M/UyVoMJBI9II/AAAAAAAAJLk/7xNa_CpO6Is/136b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="124"></a><br>One spot on the very scenic Buller Gorge road</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335599774877413965.post-64135685242046968312014-03-12T21:30:00.000+13:002014-03-18T22:11:23.620+13:00Hanmer Springs – Scenery & Thrills<p>Neither of us had been here before and were really taken with the beauty of the town and the whole area. The first thing we asked ourselves was why we were only staying 2 nights. The thermal pool complex is excellent and leaves Waiwera and Parakai wallowing in the dust. Our accommodation was half way up Conical Hill so the views were overwhelming. Linz loved the jet boat trip and we stayed to watch one of the guys from the boat trip do a bungy jump. </p> <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="550" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xAzlWQ2aJKs/UyQYoq1UZlI/AAAAAAAAJGM/sCEsS-IEsrs/s1600-h/013b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="013b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="013b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y-nPxejN_us/UyQYp9sjQ9I/AAAAAAAAJGU/zadXqmRX8o8/013b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="113"></a><br>Our very comfortable Alpine Holiday Homes house </td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k3Yy7RziqZs/UyQYq_rgH_I/AAAAAAAAJGc/PsuWET3PZbI/s1600-h/156b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="156b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="156b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JBtQVVCZ8Fo/UyQYrjxkLRI/AAAAAAAAJGk/MEHRg5Ot6us/156b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="116"></a><br>View from the other side of the road – photo doesn’t do it justice and can’t fit it all in</td> <td width="183" align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tnfpmYge2eo/UyQYs9ne4BI/AAAAAAAAJGs/qky3gOv2fyk/s1600-h/002b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="002b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="002b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nBDGxApAjcY/UyQYtsdTWzI/AAAAAAAAJG0/zawyV8p0sCY/002b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a><br>A view of the town</td></tr> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f9FUCfyoycU/UyQYu2UdWeI/AAAAAAAAJG8/iFjht9hvbaE/s1600-h/005b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="005b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="005b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ll9qwQPNrnM/UyQYw6BY2PI/AAAAAAAAJHE/9TvSUDzZTcE/005b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a><br>Shades of our travels in France – Di outside the Hanmer Library cursing technology that doesn’t work and wi-fi you can’t access</td> <td width="183" align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ybZdRcXKLIw/UyQYyWXeW7I/AAAAAAAAJHM/3mlWoUd4w6A/s1600-h/018b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="018b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="018b (1024x683)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gMBrf2-IG4Q/UyQYzSdTsCI/AAAAAAAAJHU/S_sABoMr7Z8/018b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a><br>Waiau River and bridge where jet boating and bungy jumps take place</td> <td width="183" align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2Uqk57dq7SA/UyQY0v4yKfI/AAAAAAAAJHc/d0MTGTOxGMo/s1600-h/008B%252520%2525281024x696%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="008B (1024x696)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="008B (1024x696)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S1uBsqw6fOU/UyQY1QlaG2I/AAAAAAAAJHk/WGM9aZ83mhI/008B%252520%2525281024x696%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="133"></a><br> <br>Thrillseeker, yeah, that’s me</td></tr> <tr> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aY96z72zFEs/UyQY2tOf8-I/AAAAAAAAJHs/-EjI6JfEUio/s1600-h/045b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="045b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="045b (1024x683)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WbgVUYB0IU4/UyQY3s5T1PI/AAAAAAAAJH0/yxPpjFihNUg/045b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a> <br>Practice run</td> <td width="183" align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MbiiF6hphZE/UyQZ_RoOEmI/AAAAAAAAJIY/MF26wmn5pPQ/s1600-h/112b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="112b (1024x683)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="112b (1024x683)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wyKDvVkOf5Y/UyQaASi9lJI/AAAAAAAAJIg/L9YJcw-KNk8/112b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="131"></a> Muchos exhilaration <br>(out of focus because <br>they were going too fast)</td> <td width="183" align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7ehS7LTquxo/UyQY5lxTi2I/AAAAAAAAJIE/7ZZw1vhi-Mc/s1600-h/139b%252520%2525281024x683%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="139b (1024x683)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="139b (1024x683)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ady1kp_EW1s/UyQY6eo6_dI/AAAAAAAAJIM/_P0O8LVBMLU/139b%252520%2525281024x683%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="128"></a><br>This is what the passengers asked the boat driver to do to me – the poor photographer</td></tr></tbody></table> Dihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18052623714269163124noreply@blogger.com0