So.. the other day we headed out to visit our friends Mike & Heather who live towards Mt. Oxford. Mike suggested heading for a quick walk up Mt. Oxford.
Generally, when living so close to the Southern Alps you kinda think that the closer Canterbury hills are just that.. hills. In reality of course, they’re still reasonable bumps on the landscape. You go from ~340m up to 1364m. We booted up and down in 4 1/2 hours or something (my thighs burned for 4 days! definitely not used to running down hill). This really is one of the wonderful things about living in New Zealand and in Christchurch – quakes ‘n all.
Had been slightly dreading & quite excited about this weekend for a while. My friend Paddy is heading back to Ireland in March and has a few things on his NZ-tick list to finish off. One of which was mountain biking the Heaphy. It’s a 78km bike ride and you have to carry your gear on your back (or a freeload rack (rugged back-carrier))
Track’s profile looks like this:
It’s also not _at_all_ a round-trip… you can see a nice map here, so we helicoptered in (here’s Paddy)
I’m afraid I didn’t take many pictures – partly ‘cos it was raining a bit, partly ‘cos I didn’t have a convenient crash-proof place to keep it and mostly because Paddy and Ian both had go-pro’s (that odd looking box Paddy has in the picture above) with which they took masses of video. I’m hoping to get the finished product and link to it on the blog (in a month or two when they’ve finished the editing!)
Maaike was amazing – she definitely loves her new bike… though she definitely abused it on this trip. That said, the bike got its own back and she has a few new scrapes ;) here she is on the second day..
It made quite a change from the last time I was here, many many moons ago with Mhairi and Marcel when we tramped in fine weather. I do reckon mountain biking is the way to go though, if you’ve got the chance. It’s a stunning ride though with the scenery changing completely from beech forest on the East coast, to rainforest? on the West.. stunning.
Originally we’d planned on taking 3 days (2 nights) to do the trip, but as there was supposed to be a southerly coming through on the Saturday, we decided to press on (at Perry hut) and continue through to James Mackay hut. We were slightly naughty as we’d booked in to Perry.. but there was just enough room at Mackay hut (more due to luck than anything else). It would have been an uncomfortable night on the floor!
Then out on the Saturday – along the beach – all in all an excellent trip.
The other thing worthy of note was the hostel we stayed in (Rongo’s). It had the most wonderful collection of art installed around the place. Each summer the owner invites a “resident artist” out, to live in Karamea and “do art”.. and I think they generally gift a piece to the hostel.
Then, last weekend I headed North (while Maaike headed South to Snowfarm for Rachels birthday) to test out the new skis. Had a lovely day at Lyford (didn’t bring a camera unfortunately). Well, ok, I tried out the new skis and boots and _damn_ they were sore. I think I might have been a little too keen on getting “tight” boots. Took out the inners and it was a _lot_ better.
On Sunday had a look at Amuri – but the season is definitely over there.
But yes, enjoyed the new skis (so much harder than the shorter ones I learned on).. and hopefully get a few more days in before the end of the season.
After leaving Tekapo (in the snow) we went via Ohau where we had a lovely day skiing on fresh powder.. slightly (more than slightly) wishing we had our snowboards too..
Then it was on to Wanaka (which really has got a log bigger since the first time I was there many moons ago with Glynn & Maeve.
Had a days cross country (langlaufe?sp?) at Snowfarm. We had an hours lesson which was well worth it, before heading out. It’s knackering! Probably not if you’re good.. but after 6? 8? km I was dead to the world.
Next we had a day at Cardrona skiing.. 4th day ever (3rd of this trip).
Next day (Friday) we were debating between a day at Cardrona .. but .. fear of the crowds made Maaike, Cousin Ben, Ian and I head back to Ohau. Well well worth the drive. Had an entirely lovely day. Did have a slightly disappointing lesson where we were put in a group with a not so intermediate young girl.. and also didn’t like the guys teaching style. I went so far as to leave some constructive criticism. Shame, as Ohau still is probably my favourite ski field :) Learned a heap, and even went for a hike up the top ridge with Ian (who has a GoPro.. I really want one now!)
Paddy Ryan came down on the Friday night and we had a days mountain biking around Wanaka. Was quite unimpressed with the hired bike… no give in the front shocks and very iffy breaks. I brought it back to the shop and the guy went “Winter, it does that to the shocks and breaks”. Thanks.
Finally, on the way back, had a long 1/2 day at Dobson (which has the best cover of any ski field this year..)
Off down South for a weeks holiday.. had a lovely day at Roundhill yesterday, getting out on the skis for our second day.
We spent the first few hours on the learners slope – getting used to things again. Lucy was kind enough to give us some expert instruction and I really think we progressed quite a bit. I certainly felt I was “getting” it quite a bit more than the first day. There’s definitely more progress to be made though ;)
After lunch we headed up the hill proper where we were greeted with a mulled wine (fantasic!) and some views.
Unfortunately the weather has turned and it is now likely to be snowing for the next 4 days…. which is great for the ski fields, but really annoying when you’ve got a weeks holiday and can’t get out to enjoy it. Still.. there are books to be read, and games to be played. This is the longest I’ve been without a holiday… and I must say, I think I’ve needed it.
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