There was a small gap in the weather during which Maaike and I skipped off to Mount Owen (topomap).  It’s an interesting place Mount Owen.  Not unlike the burren in the west coast of Ireland – a karst landscape (i.e. limestone exposed to the elements).

We weren’t quite sure what the weather was going to do… but just hoped that the predicted one day of sunshine (or at least, not rain) would fall on the day we wanted to get to the summit.

There is simply heaps of really interesting vegetation on the way up, and it changes constantly as you head up the hill.

The final approach to the hut (where it was just the two of us on the 30th) was up a river… I do enjoy a good scramble up a river :)

The next day we left early ish so that we could hopefully make the most of the weather. It wasn’t looking that promising really to begin with (which was extremely disappointing!) fortunately it cleared pretty quickly. There is a trackish to the summit, but for a lot of the way you’re just following cairns. Mount Owen is not a place to go to in fog.. there are holes everywhere and people die / get into real issues fairly regularly..

We saw these two having a fight (as it turned out – I do love naturewatch.org.nz) on the way up… Also just awesome limestone for scrambling about on. It’s not a simple tramp.. but it is a good one.

The view from the top was spectacular.. really lucky that we had the weather window. We met a couple of German tourists heading up on our way down… when they finally got to the top (after a decent days walking as they’d started at the carpark that morning).. they were rewarded with thick cloud.

We had a lovely evening playing 500 with a couple from Nelson we met in the hut. They were (most) kind and shared their bottle with us to celebrate the new year.

On the way out again the ‘river’ that we’d walked up was now dry (though it was raining). It’s a crazy old place NZ.

Off up to Palmerston North to see family for Christmas. It really is so lovely having family in New Zealand! We had a lovely flight up with good views out over the sounds (Maaike’s turn for the window seat next time ;)

Unfortunately that was pretty much where the good weather stopped until.. well… into the new year pretty much. We still managed to sneak in a few walks – and even a trip to the beach which cousin Thomas pretty much insisted on (as he lives in London, slightly further from beaches)

The indecent weather did mean there was lots of opportunity to play my latest favourite game ;) … The Settlers of Catan. It’s an extremely addictive and nicely balanced game (well, perhaps 5% more luck than I’d like, though obviously only when someone else is winning ;)

My Aunt Mary took Maaike and I to see one of the local highlights – this incredible house light up for Christmas. It must really annoy the neighbours as there were lots of cars there late at night (and more arriving as we left). Still.. definitely festive!

I totally forgot to take pictures of Hannah Al, Miriam, James and Brigit… my bad.. but there were all well – growing up fast.

So yes, a lovely trip, really great to see Thomas back in New Zealand again – definitely looking forward to the next time already :)

It was lovely having Hamish (the one with the huge grin!) and Amy (yes, I should have waited to take a better picture) to stay before their trip to the ice. Amy has done 4? trips, or something, to the ice, and keeps a really great blog..

Above image shamelessly hotlinked from her blog.

Hamish is going along as a hired gun. Well, hired penguin-napper. Apparently they give some pretty decent bruises when you’re trying to stick ’em for blood etc. Fair enough, I think I would too.

Maaike and I also got away for a shortish hot walk – just trying to get back into the swing of tramping.. though high summer isn’t the best time to start back really. Can’t wait for slightly cooler weather in March and April for some decent tramps.

We were about Christchurch this weekend, partly for the Dr. Who 50th Anniversary Episode which was aired in cinemas over here. It was hilarious actually as there were all sorts of people dressed up – some in costumes of the weeping angels (my favourite episode by far)

Anyway.. took in a quick stroll around Mona Vale, our old house still standing (just)

There were some Paradise ducks there too. They’re terribly cute.

So yes, lovely to be there. I was… extremely touched when I saw this bench in Mona Vale..

The bench was put there by the Bennett family (I assume) in memory of their parents (my former landlords). What a lovely way to remember them by – perfect. I do miss them and the house / community sometimes. Silly earthquakes.

10 years ago I arrived in New Zealand with my friend Maeve. It seems like an age ago now, and I suppose it is, but in some ways the time has completely flown by. I’ve climbed, biked, caved, rafted, boarded, skied, paraglided, skydived, kayaked, ice climbing, mountaineering bouldering and even been canyoning. I’ve made lots of friends who have helped me through some ‘interesting’ times, not least of which were some very nasty earthquakes. I’ve created and built up (with lots of help from friends) a carpooling to ski fields website which I’m quite proud of. I have a lovely partner who helps me to get to the tops of very high windy mountains and is generally wonderful.

So yes, it has been a brilliant ten years really. Thank you to one and all who have made NZ such a wonderful place to be, and thanks to Glynn for getting everything setup, and for coming down to Christchurch with the lovely Jayne to celebrate it!