No Blogs, No Computer-------heading to south island

Dear Friends and Family,

Just a quick note to let you know that we will be heading to the South Island with Will's cousin, Ron and his wife, Caroline.  We will be hiking the Routeburn Trek for three days and doing some shorter hikes.

It has been great to get emails from many of you.  We love keeping in touch and hearing about your lives.  We will not take the computer, but will try to check emails at internet cafes or wifi stops.  No blogs for three weeks.

We will have a cell phone with us which you may try if you need to get a hold of us-----021 213 2098

We will be on Waiheke Island the month of March and then at Balclutha on the south island for the month of April.

Looking forward to your emails.

Love, Kath

Moving the Sheep

These pictures were taken near the top of the hills.  Dave, with the assistance of his dogs, moved 1,300 sheep from one paddock (fenced field) to another paddock closer to their farm.  The second picture shows the sheep gathering together in one corner.  From here as seen in picture #3, they raced through the gate.  The last picture shows the sheep that got separated from the main group.  Dave and Will circled back to get these sheep as no sheep are left behind.  This reminds us of how Jesus looks after us.

As the sheep were running into the second paddock, the battery on my camera went dead.  As son Nate has often told me, "Mom, quit taking so many pictures------just put that scene in your head!"

When we got back to the farm, they described the shearing process.  We could feel the softness of lamb's wool compared to the sheep's wool.  We learned that the price of wool is currently quite high.

Pip showed us her stunning gardens, followed by a meal of lamb, roasted vegetables, and rhubarb/blueberry/almond crunch.  It was an evening to treasure.

Sheep Herding

Last evening Will and I had a wonderful experience.  Will's nurse, Pip, invited us for dinner.  She lives on a 1,200 acre sheep/cattle farm.  When we arrived, they asked if we would like to ride out with them to move the sheep from one paddock (enclosed field) to another closer to their farm.  We put on gum boots and headed out.  Will and I both agreed that at times it was scary as we held on for dear life.  The hills are extremely steep, and with my camera it was difficult to show the depth.

The first picture was taken near the top of the grazing land and shows the farm in the valley way below.   Note Will and Dave climbing up the hills as they got closer to the sheep.

I wanted to feature the dogs as they are very well trained and it was interesting to see how Dave instructed them to move the sheep.  They would get behind the sheep, barking and running to gather the sheep together. 

Weekend------Part 5

The most interesting stop was at Kawakawa to see the public toilets designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser from Austria.  When visiting Kristin in Vienna (after she did a semester abroad) we toured apartments that he designed.  Hundertwasser called New Zealand his adopted country and lived in Kawakawa because it had "soul".  One of the reasons I was drawn to his work is that he incorporates glass bottles for design and light, reminding me of some of Peggy and Jo's adobe homes where they have done the same.  Also, I was fascinated with the grasses and plants growing on the roof, reminding me of Nate's most recent structure------a coffee house with a grass roof at Pun Pun.

Weekend----Part 4

On the way to Paihia, we stopped at a canopy bridge built through a forest of kauri trees and tree ferns.  The top photo is my favorite.  I leaned over the bridge and snapped a photo of a tree fern growing below me.

Weekend-------Part 3

This weekend was a New Zealand holiday, commemorating the signing of the Waitangi Treaty in 1840 between the British and the Maori.  The Maori people pack the town of Paihia and celebrate with waka (canoe) races and a variety of songs and dances, including the haka (war dance). 

Will and I enjoyed this celebration as it was not a paid performance, but a time for the Maori locals to preserve their culture with numerous activities.  In the third picture, find the young man with his head raised and tongue stuck out.  We had been told that this was a part of the haka.  Note the young girl with the bulging eyes in the fourth picture.  This is a typical action by the dancing women.  The pictures show the different kinds of canoes--------single, double, and very large.  We were told that the largest canoe can hold up to 120 men.

We met the Maori man talking with Will and spent at least a half hour learning about their history and current situation in NZ.  He told us that the Maori did not understand the terms of the treaty as many of the words were unfamiliar to them.  The land had been unfairly taken from them.  Sounds like the plight of the American Indian-----  This man's son is one of the boys in the picture with me.  He had been taught the haka and other dances when he was only 5 years old. 

Weekend-----Part 2

                                          Kath and Will Fell in the Sea!

As the guidebooks say, "There is no point in coming to the Bay of Islands if you don't head out on the water."  We looked over the brochures and chose a day-long trip on the Gungha, a 65 foot sailboat.  We were told that Captain Mike is a seasoned sailor with many good stories to share.  This proved true.

The beauty of sailing is the quiet, in contrast to boats requiring loud motors.  The first picture shows Will and I enjoying ourselves as we sailed toward Roberton Island, where Captain Cook spent a week exploring the area.

The Gungha anchored off the coast of the island and a dingy brought us to shore.  On our arrival Will and I decided to give kayaking a try.  Two young gals had successfully managed a one-man kayak, so we attempted the same.  Our trip was short-lived as we soon found ourselves completely submerged with salt water over our heads.  Will commented later, "Kath you didn't scream!"  I couldn't!  The second picture shows us, completely drenched.  I smiled for the pic, but I was freezing!  Our dry clothes were out on the sailboat.  I took off the wet black waterproof pants, holding them up to dry in the breeze.  Then I hid behind a flax plant and took off my jeans and put the black pants back on.  The young folks on the trip got a kick out of us---------the oldest ones aboard!

Then we hiked to a lookout on the island and were greeted with spectacular views of the Bay of Islands as the two other pictures illustrate. 

Weekend Adventure-----Part 1

Since we had a three day weekend, we chose Paihea, the Bay of Islands, as our destination.  Will made reservations at a hostel called Cap'n Bob's Beach House.  Our room at $60.00 a night had an ocean view, but a trek to the shared bathroom via the outside deck, kitchen-livingroom area, and down the hall!   The french doors lead to our room.  It was lovely to eat our breakfast on the deck.

Dinner with Ainsley and Bruce at their "Lifesyle" Block

Before leaving for New Zealand, I had lunch with my friend, Beth Robinson, and her daughter, Heather.  Beth was born and raised in NZ.  While vacationing in Spain, she met her husband-to-be, an American named Dave.  Beth and Heather gave me suggestions for things "to do" and "to see".  Not only did I receive travel advice, but Beth gave me contact information for her brother and sister as well. 

Her brother, Bruce, and his wife, Ainsley live less than an hour from TeKauwhata and invited us for dinner last Thursday evening.  We had a delightful time!  The picture shows us at their "lifestyle block" posing in front of their beautiful flowers.  According to Bruce, "lifestyle blocks" are pieces of property in the country for people who are not farmers.  However, Ainsley and Bruce have gorgeous flower beds, raised garden plots, and a variety of treees. 

Will and I were very appreciative of the home-cooked ham meal with lots of home-grown veggies and blueberry buckle for dessert (blueberries from their garden as well).

The second picture shows Bruce with hand carved gifts from the Maori people.  A highlight of our NZ experience is spending time with the locals.

Eel, anyone?

I met Donna, the check-out girl at the TK Supermarket,  and she invited Will and I to tour the eel plant where her husband is the manager.  It is a big operation.  They catch eel in the rivers and lakes in this area and ship them live to China, Japan, Belgium, U.S., etc.

Before our tour we had drinks and snacks at Donna's.  We always enjoy these opportunities to interact with the locals.

The pictures illustrate our tour.  The two eels on the floor show one that is too big and one that is too small so according to regulations they will be returned to a river or lake the next day.  The eels in the big tank with be put in oxygenated containers and sent via airplane to their destination.

They also smoke some of the eels.  We were given smoked salmon and smoked eel.  The salmon was supper last night and it was delicious.  We haven't opened the eel.  Will let you know how it tastes on a future blog.

Rotorua on way home

On the way home from Tongariro National Park we stopped at Rotorua.  One of the tourist books says this,  "Rotorua, as the locals proudly boast, is the only  place in New Zealand where you can tell exactly where you are with your eyes shut."  They are referring to the distinctive aroma of sulphur that permeates the town----boiling mud pools and hot springs.

We took a guided tour by the Tahourangi Ngati Wahia people who live amongst the geothermal activity.  (Whakarewarewa living thermal village)  They are able to use the steam vents for cooking and the natural mineral waters for bathing.  We viewed the geysers and hot mud pools from their village.   The large geyser in the picture erupts about every hour.  It was a good tour and we learned a little more about Maori history and culture.

For our tramp, Will chose the Redwood Forest park.  The trees are over a 100 years old and it's impossible to show a full tree in a photo.  These two pics attempt to give you a feel for the size.

Three Day Weekend at Tongariro National Park

We had a fun three day holiday weekend at Tongariro National Park.   We booked a room with a kitchenette which worked well as we could eat breakfast there and make sack lunches for our tramps.  The first picture shows NZ's largest lake, Lake Taupo which is fed by sparkling ice-melt from the Tongariro National Park.  We drove along the lake enroute to the park, but didn't have time to explore.

Tongariro National Park has numerous tracks which are well marked and in great shape.  We enjoyed the tramping, taking our lunches and resting by the beautiful sights.  Our two favorite tramps were Taranaki Falls and the Silicon Rapids.  We are posing in front of the falls.  A memory of this area will be the combination of flax and grasses growing side by side.

The last picture shows a Canadian couple who hail from Switzerland.  We ate dinner with them and shared stories.  I chose this pic to feature the food--------lasagne on top of fries! 

Kath Went Head over Heels Tramping on a Tagged Track

Yesterday I went tramping with 6 members of a TeKauwhata Tramping group.  Two weeks ago, I had been on a tramp with their very fit and fearless leader, Joy.  She had taken me to Mt. William where we had a delightful time on a track marked with orange metal triangles attached to trees.  We stopped often as Joy described the plants and trees.

Yesterday's tramp was the most difficult hike I've ever done.  We met at 8:00 in the morning and drove to a large dairy farm about 1/2 hour from TK.  Joy talked with the  farmer who said that we would need to return by 3:30 as the 350 cows would be coming down the road for milking.  It was a beautiful sight with cows grazing on the hillside.

Capturing the scenery was short-lived as I realized that we too would be climbing up those hills to the wooded DOC land.  I huffed and puffed as we climbed and climbed.  (I was over-dressed as usual.)  Finally we stopped and I gulped down water and took off my extra shirt, tying it to my waist.  Then we got into the bush where we followed a tagged track.  Previously Joy and Marion had put orange tape around the tree limbs to mark the track as shown in the above picture.  My shiny face is sweat!  Now we were literally "plowing through the under brush" as one of the gals described it.  Most of the time the track was hidden.  Ferns and bushes were hitting us in the face.

All of the girls had hiking sticks.  I did not.  This put me at a disadvantage.  "Time for a break." were welcomed words.  We sat surveying the beauty, eating our fruit.  On we went as our trip was a loop.  "Time for lunch."   As the track flattened I was feeling better.  We started to descend.  My foot got tangled in the low-lying vines and before I knew it I started to fall.  I landed on my rear, and then my legs went over my head as I did a backwards summersault (sp.?)  I could feel the impact on my neck and upper back.  Those who witnessed my fall asked in worried voices,  "Are you ok?"  I assured everyone, myself included, that I was fine.  Joy announced that my gymnastic move was a 7.5!  At that point she suggested that I use her walking stick and I was surprised what a difference it made.

The rest of the tramp went well and I felt lucky to be where few humans have trod.  The girls pointed out the various trees, orchid, etc.   We saw those NZ fan-tailed birds that are often featured on pottery, clothing, whatever.  We returned at 2:00, before the cows.

When I got home, I went to take off my contacts and the left one was missing.  I bet it fell out when we pushed our way through the eye-level ferns!

Today I'm sore, but happy to have had this experience.  The ladies were warm and friendly, but I was out-classed!   I don't think I will be invited on their next venture, but that's ok!