Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs bought back heaps of memories for me, but it was Harry's first time here.  Our back packers was fairly central so we walked to the pools (and enjoyed a couple of lazy evenings in 38-40 degrees).  And it was here that the rain began.  Walking up Conical Hill was one of those walks that began with the sun at giving us shade but ended up giving us some rain cover.  We were fairly drenched so we waltzed into the fish and chip shop on the way back (comfy two seater couches to sit on and enjoyed our meal while watching the news) and then a dip in the pool to warm us up.

Another day we went for a walk in the Beech forest and took a drive to Acheron.  Firstly, we went up the wrong path which we decided was a test for 4 wheel drives let alone our little Honda Jazz, and so after a few slow kilometres and we decided to turn around.  We later came across some cyclists who had cycled up there - we were impressed - even if they had walked some of the way.  Acheron was a picture, the road swathed in white and blue wild flowers leading us to the old coaching station - where travellers could rest their horses and themselves as it took six days to travel from Nelson to Christchurch.  The house was built in the 1860's and is the oldest of the accommodation along this route.

Not far from our digs was Queen Mary's hospital. But now it stands empty hoping for some new occupants soon.  We thought, perhaps a boarding school, holiday accommodation, great place for afternoon teas and restaurants etc - here's hoping something happens soon.  It was built in 1897 as a Sanatorium - great place right next door to the hot springs.  A few years later the original tents were replaced by a proper building, and nursing staff and doctor were appointed.  In 1914 a fire burnt the buildings.  Two years later the hospital was reopened to treat soldiers suffering from shell shock.  Later on patients who were suffering from hypertension and anxiety lived there for a while and in 1926 the women's block was opened, and then a new men's block  In the 1960's a programme for alcoholics was put in place which was extended to drug addicts in the 70's and their families.  It wasn't until the 1990's when funding began to dwindle that the hospital began to see there might not be a future and in 2003 the doors were closed.  The 6 hectares that the hospital occupies has been put into public ownership - which is great news for the people of Hanmer and the tourists.  Watch this space to see what happens to these great buildings...

T

Kaikoura

Kai means 'food in Maori' and koura 'crayfish' - we arrived at the land rich in crayfish and Maori history.  It was pretty cold down there for a summers day and after checking into our quaint but small cottage in the local camping ground and finding we should have bought bedding and cooking equipment we took off to find a restaurant. Tinned spaghetti and creamed corn could wait for another day. We had a long walk around the beach front and settled on a pub near the sea shore. 

Kaikoura is another whaling town and while visiting Fyffe house we learnt about the particularly difficult occupation back in the 1800's.  I did think that if the only way to catch whales was to row out to the ocean to find them we would still have plenty of whales about.  Perhaps that is what those trying to protect the whales should be advocating for. Anyway, Fyffe house was built by some of the first settlers in 1940's (whalers by profession), with its piles built from whale bones.  Its pink - from the local colours used to colour the paint, and has had a few additions over time. 

We lunched with some llamas (you can walk them around Kaikoura for a smallish fee), we ate our food from the local bakery while they munched on fennel and long grass.  Then we went to see the seal colony (the best ones are where the young were playing just north of the town).  We found the seals not only on the rocks (great rock pools), but also flattening the flax bushes in the carpark!!  Always neat to see animals in their natural habitat.

 

It was then off to Hanmer Springs - the thermal wonderland of the South Island.  We drove along the back roads up to Mt Lyford and drove to the top where the skifields are busy in winter.  Had a little look around and enjoyed the scenery and peacefulness that the birds enjoy every day.  We stopped for some more photos and you can see why... 

Christmas and away on holiday

Christmas time - it doesn't seem long ago since we last sat outside in the sun and had a barbeque lunch.  This time we all piled around to Don and Judy's.  Mike and Becks arrived earlier on in the week and Sharon and Aaron came down from Feilding so with Becks family we enjoyed a great lunch, company and a few games. It was Wellington's hottest Christmas Day since 1934 - and we sat in 30+ enjoying the novelty. Some later said it was too hot, probably it was if you were cooking a roast - but I enjoyed every minute.  In the evening we went for a walk with Don and Judy around Newlands, finding walkways we didn't know were there - actually we got lost as we wandered around the area where the old railway used to go before putting in the main trunk line up the coast.

Boxing Day - traditionally picnic day and so we took our bikes for a ride up the dune coastal path from Paekak via McKays Crossing to Raumati South and then ventured on to the park at the beach for a picnic lunch.  The path was challenging - a bit steep in places - but I left my pride at home and walked up those bits.  There is a longer track we might try another time.

Then it was off for our South Island excursion - we caught the 8.00 ferry down to Picton.  It was pretty drizzly weather so we sat inside and read and tried to catch up on some sleep.  We'd decided to take the long route to Kaikoura around Waikawa Bay which we hadn't been to before.  We sat on the hill top over looking the Bay and the historical grounds where Maori used to live, work and play, and watched the ferries and little boats come and go.

We then ventured further around the peninsula into some spectacular scenery overlooking little bays, along some very dusty gravel roads and arrived at Robin Hoods Bay.  We wandered through some very long grass and a gate hanging on one hinge to a small cottage that was built in they think the 1840's.  It was originally home to a whaler, and later became part of a small boys' boarding school and probably has an incredible tale to tell but it is now sitting quite unloved amongst the tall flaxes and wildflowers. There was a sense of abandonment here even though it is an historic property.

The next few weeks in a nutshell

Well, we have been a bit slack haven't we?  Why aren't we updating our blog every week?  I guess it is for a number of reasons.  Our lives have changed considerably since we returned home.  Its all good I might add.  We are spending a lot of time doing stuff that isn't really in the class of "blogable".  It's interesting, fun and enjoyable but it isn't stuff that people really like to read about.  Catching up with friends, enjoying our family, gardening, planting a vege garden (yes our old wood box is now a vege garden with pumpkin, cucumber, beans, potatoes, chillis, carrots, capsicums and zucchinis) and pulling out more weeds and trying to coax things to grow (particularly herbs - but I hear I am not the only one to kill mint - which means there is hope for me).

We've been to a few movies (James Bond and Quartet) and plan to go to a few more, and we've been to see Disco Inferno at the Porirua Little Theatre.  We've celebrated Harry's birthday (which is a blogable moment) with a barbeque with friends.  It was our second 'barbeque in the garage' yes it rained once again.  One day we did barbeque in the fine weather - it wasn't planned just a spontaneous moment when the sun shone. We have battled the northerlies during some walks around Seatoun, Skyline between Karori and J'ville, up the hill towards Kau Kau a few times and in more sheltered conditions around the Waikanae Estuary (lots of ducklings, goslings and cignets).  We have taken our camera sometimes and have a few pictures to show for it.

Last weekend we bought our bikes.  This was with a sigh of relief as really I don't think I was that short - but it seems new frames are generally just too big for a female of slightly lower than average height!!  Anyway, the people in the shop went all out and eventually came up with a Cannondale.  I can nearly get over it comfortably and it should improve as I bike more.  A two hour ride to Pencarrow Lighthouse and beyond, meant a tender behind the next day - but it was so good to get back onto the saddle.  Whizzing past scenery that sort of looks much the same is the best way to go!!  

Christmas is coming with a few Christmas lunches, evening work events, and going to Carols by Candlelight at Waitangi Park.   The carols was better than in previous years - weather was great - and songs allowed for much more crowd participation which is what the crowd comes for.

We've enjoyed some nice meals out - lunch at Logan Browns (voucher from Store-it to say thank you for recommending them), meals at great places like Istanbul (favourite restaurant - pity it isn't a bit quieter) and off to Wellington Prison for their open day (a sobering visit).