Well, it’s the queens birthday weekend – a bank holiday weekend. Last year it was off with Steve & Yvonne and Warrick and Michelle to Mt. Cook to do some rock climbing. This year, it was again denizons of the ‘Worzal Gummage Mansion’ (as Dave Aubrey has dubbed the house), off on another trip.

This time it was North – up through Lewis pass to go hiking to Lake Christabel.

We left on Saturday evening, and stayed the nights at a place called Sylvia Flats, just about 8km short of Maruia Springs. At Sylvia flats there are natural hotpools,

and there ended up being 10 of us soaking in the hot pools (nicely candlelit – with the stars coming out). A lovely way to spend the evening.

The next morning – Aroha, Luke, Esther and I were going to walk in a harder way – up over the mountains and down to the hut. As there’d been quite a lot of snow recently, and we weren’t quite happy enough with the conditions – we elected to walk into the hut the normal way (along the river valley). Not the most exciting of walks.. but it was pretty. Lots of cute birds.. ;)

And some pretty spectacular reflections in the lake – if only it had been blue skies. It’s a funny place really, there was a (massive) landslide – oh – a few hundred (at least) years ago – and it totally blocked off the valley – and formed this massive lake. The river itself has lots of logs all over the place. Warrick pointed out that the reason they’ve not been washed out (as they usually wood be ;)) was because the stream is fed by an underground outlet from the lake, so it doesn’t flood.

Then it was onto the hut. I was quite ready to be there when we arrived – I’ve not been finding the tramping as easy as I used to!! Dunno why. There were 6 others there.. coupled to our 8 (in a 10 bunk hut).. it was a good thing we’d brought two tents! It was funny, there were 14 of us – and I was the only non kiwi there. This is pretty unusual really – certainly never happened to me before. And I kinda liked it :) Maybe I am going native.

The hut book (which went back to the early 80s) had a pretty funny page in it – some ppl were complaining about the state of the track – and others were slagging them off..

Played cards in the evening – Beany – a favourite of Warricks. It was funny, I just won the last time we played (a year ago) and did again, by 5 points.. It’s a good game – quite like gin-rummi – except that anyone can play at any time.. fun game.

This pic of most of the group was taken at the lake on the walk out.

(L->R Warrick,Guy,Esther,Sue,Aroha and Luke)

It was great that we had pretty good weather on the way out – the sun through the mossy trees was spectacular. I’m afriad this pic does it absolutely no justice at all!

Another soak in the hotpools – and then back to ChCh. A fun weekend all in all.

YIPPEE

Today I got 2 new stickers in my passport. One saying ‘Residence Permit‘ and the other saying ‘Returning Resident’s Visa.

Which is kinda exciting.. so now I can come and go in NZ, work where I want, etc. etc. However, the visa is just for 2 years (though the residence rights are permanent) In order to get permanent returning rights I will have to be here for 6 months of each of the next 2 years (at least that’s my understanding).. who knows if I will, but at least I have the option.

It’s also a good day, as Mhairi on the N.Island (who I’m hoping to travel around a good bit of Asia with) found that even if NZ does decide to kick her out (visa expiring) she should get 42 days to leave the country.. (though hopefully the work permit will come through)… so that’s a wee bit of a relief I’m sure..

The day was tempered however, by loosing 6:0 to David at pool. Otherwise it really would have been a fairly perfect day.

Excellent hike this weekend. Back for a second attempt on Mt Fyffe. First time was back in September with Mhairi and Marcel Totally different conditions this time – no snow to speak of, and my knee wasn’t in total pieces.

Headed up on Friday night (to avoid the 6am start) with Dave, and we had a pretty nice camping spot – at least the sunrise was something pretty special!

Then we met up with Anthony, Thor, Gabriella, Peter, Steven, Fernando, and Sven (but spelt differently) – 3 Kiwis, 1 Swedish, 1 Icelander, 1 Dutchman and 1 Chilean. Pretty typical bunch ;) Really fun bunch to hike with.

So we headed off up to the summit of Mt Fyffe, making pretty short work of the hike up (though I was pretty tired by the top.. must be getting old..) 1602m. Then a really fun walk along the ridge. Last time totally covered in snow, and with no crampons or ice-axes I was really really glad we turned around before we went too far along the track.

There was quite a lot of running / sliding down scree slopes.

We were making quite good time really, but as there was a little bit of faffing about at the start, we started down the river – boulder hopping (read fun) section, as it was beginning to get dark. We got about 1/2 way down the river, before we really had to put on head torches, and it became a lot more difficult to find the path. I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed it, was still happy to get to the hut in the end, but I really love hopping down rivers, takes quite a bit of concentration and balance.. excellent.

Then a windy night – thankfully in the shelter of Kowhai hut. 8 of us in a 6 bunk hut (and 1 camping outside)… I elected for a thermarest and the floor…

And this morning – a 3 hour walk out along the river. All in all a really varied and fun trip – excellent scenery and fun ppl to hike with.. will miss the ability to (easily) get away hiking for the weekend – in places where you’re really unlikely to see anyone else (the last ppl in the hut were there 2 weeks ago..)

Thursday afternoon Florian and Fabian arrived back from their travels around the S.Island. Looks like they had a lot of fun.

They fly off on Saturday morning back to Germany.. Florian to look for a job, and Fabian for another couple of weeks holiday in Greece. Well for some! It was fun going climbing with Florian in the Roxx on Friday – and to see some of the friends he’s made here.. I’ve got to get round to organising a leaving party.. hopefully a few bods will turn up … :) Probably have it coincide with when my friends Domhnall and Lorcan arrive.. one way to get over jetlag (getting .. merry… on mulled wine :)

Handed in all my bits and pieces of paper for residency today – Passport, birthcert, police record (none!), cv, references, job offer, previous contracts, medical & xray cert… and cash..

If all goes well (it’s all quiet at the moment) I should hopefully have residency within a couple of weeks.

So that’d be nice ;)