After the Gillespie pass circuit, we headed to the West Coast, and then North to glacier country. Just South of Fox Glacier is the Copland Track… which has the wonderful Welcome Flats hot pools at the end of it.
It’s a nice enough walk up the valley to get to it. It’s funny, I remember the first time I did this walk thinking it was *amazing*… now I think it’s not so exciting – but the hot pools *do* make it worth the trip. Definitely. I think I’m just spoiled by so many other tramps :)
DOC operates a volunteer programme and we met this lovely man – Petia – walking in to take up his position as a volunteer for two weeks.
The man was an absolute horse – his pack had food for two weeks in it. I could hardly lift it – let alone walk with it for 7 hours. He caught up with *us* and kept with us most of the way, he said the company made it easier! Once we got to the hut he offered us a swig of his gin to say thanks. Gratefully accepted!
The next pic is Sjoerds – it’s of Heleen (his lovely partner) standing next to the hot pools.
They really are wonderful to soak in. And really really hot. I can think of worse places to be a volunteer for a couple of weeks!
Back down to ChCh. We’d had a sister (Sara) of Maaike’s good friend Eefje (yes, Maaike only has friends who have double vowels in their name) staying in the house, and we fortunately got to see them. Michael (Sara’s partner) was a photographer.. and had been to some very interesting places… seen things that I’d definitely not like to see too!
Then it was off South to Wanaka, where Maaike and I had a days climbing. It was so great to be back out on Real Rock again… I’d almost forgotten what it was like. Definitely planning on getting my climbing skills up a little this year.
We also had time for a little game of mini golf. I think Maaike must have been a little off form that day, as usually I’m defeated badly when we play, but this time I prevailed in fine style. Not that anyone’s counting of course. Ehem. And yes, I do wear a funny hat.. otherwise I just bake in the sun (sun does seem more… vicious.. down here)
Then it was off to Cromwell to meet up with Sjoerd and Heleen, and to stay at our friends Clare and David. Had a very relaxed New Years there. They’re living on a lifestyle block – so all? the fruit on this pavlova was from their garden (and it was yum)
Next it was back to Wanaka, and then headed North towards the coast, taking in a 3 day tramp (the Gillespie pass circuit)
It was an excellent tramp, but I must say, my feet (and the rest of me) were knackered by the end of it. I’m not quite sure why I fared so badly, as I’m not actually feeling that unfit at the moment, but yes.. tricky enough.
Definitely a good tramp, and one I’d like to get back to again as we missed the side trip to what’s supposed to be the highlight – a hanging glacier lake. Unfortunately we ran out of time.
After that it was off to Gillespie beach (just who was this Gillespie chap anyway) for the night.. we lit a fire on the beach, it was great.
Finally, managed to video this utterly weird phenomenon of a cairn building itself on a beach. Weird.
Up to Palmerston North for Christmas with my Aunt and co. It’s always such a welcome escape to get up there. I was put to ask (immediately ;) setting up a wireless network for them…, still, I got my revenge, the SSID is CIA_security_van_number_two. Fairs fair ;)
I didn’t take enough pictures (so apologies to Hannah and Miriam who are missing from the above!). It’s amazing how fast the kids grow – and personalities evolve and emerge. No, I still refuse to miss my nieces and nephews ;) (not!) :)
We went for walks, and took in the shared garden that Mary cultivates.
Chris (brother) almost ruined my break by posting the following question:
Roughly how much power do you think the sun emits? I worked it out, but was about 5 orders of magnitude out.
I cheated, and asked William for guidance. We were about 3* out… which is pretty good. My issue was not having a unit to start with.. William roughly knew the amount of energy sunlight has on 1m squared of land per second, and he also knew how many light minutes we are from the sun… after that it’s eeeassssyyyy.
So, before Christmas we had the unfortunate but expected leaving party for Veronica and Charlie. They’re off to Vancouver (sigh) and will be sorely missed.
We also had the arrival of Maaike’s brother (Sjoerd) and partner (Heleen). Here we are helping them to get over their jetlag (a viva villa)
Sjoerd is an excellent chef (in his spare time – I think he gets it from his Dad) and treated us to a delicious dinner (which he mostly made up as he went shopping – I’m quite jealous!)
I had been planning on slacking this weekend, but, fortunately, Paddy Ryan got in the way of that and organised biking the Wharfdale Track. As I’m far too far behind already in my blogging, I’ll just put up some pictures. It was *hard*.. I had one slow-motion head over the handlebars moments (teach me to go too slowly).. but it was an excellent trip.
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