HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR,
originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Happy New Year all.

Nelson Lakes - Day 2 - Descent from Angelus

Up at 6 am to a beautiful sunrise, the hills were gold and the reflection on the lake was perfect. I spent a couple of hours pottering around taking photographs before we set off back up to the ridge. From the ridge we took the Speargrass Creek Route which followed a creek down to the Speargrass Hut. The sign at the top said “Route Only” – that should’ve been a warning! It was a beautiful route, but had a minimal path, the flowers were gorgeous and great views back up to the ridge. Soon we left the muddy path to descend on scree, again I would’ve preferred a lighter pack!

We crossed the creek, then back again and again and again… Eventually the valley widened a little and we entered forest. We had orange triangles to follow but the way was tricky and at points muddy. I eventually managed to fall into the mud – yuck! This was an extremely hard trail. I guess that “Route Only” meant that the trail was waymarked, there wasn’t actually a path.

We joined the main Speargrass track, 2.5 hours to the car park the sign said, easy I thought – ha! The trail traced it’s way through a gorgeous beech forest with birdsong from the bell bird to accompany you, but no real indication of where you were or how far you had to go. Underfoot the going was softer but concentrations was required to avoid the tree roots – very tiring.

A wonderful walk but hard going – worth it for the ridge, views, flowers and streams.

Nelson Lakes - Day 1 - Roberts Ridge

St Arnaud is the entranceway to Nelson Lakes National Park. We stopped at the DOC visitor centre to sign in for our two day trek. A wee bit further on we parked at the carpark to climb the Pinchgut Track to Mount Robert. Steeply up on a good path we were soon on the summit ridge with great views across Lake Rotoiti and along the ridge. The walking was very easy and reminded me of Scotland, we could have been in the Cairngorms.


There were lots of Alpine flowers and plants, including Vegetable Sheep (a plant clump which looks like a furry sheepskin)which seemed to attract ladybirds. There were also lots of red-legged crickets who jumped out the way just as you were about to step on them.



We had lunch at a bealach which turned out to be the end of easy walking and the start of boulder hopping, scree jumping and generally trying to keep balanced on a narrow path with a big pack on your back. Still the views and the flowers were spectacular and the path clearly marked by poles. After 5 hours from starting we looked down from the ridge to see the Angelus Hut below us, sitting by the lake.


The hut was very popular and noisy. We braved the cool evening and cooked outside. The hut wasn’t that enjoyable because it was so full, but at least we had a bed.

Christmas on the canoe

Christmas on the canoe

Happy Christmas,

We've spent the day relaxing with a first try out for the kayak on the Marlborough Sound. Rackin (the golden lab) really enjoyed it. Santa was good to us all.

That's Helen and Wendy, who I'm staying with, on the canoe.

Abel Tasman - The Return

Typical Abel Tasman Scene

Have just returned from 4 days on the Abel Tasman Track. A fantastic walk in the most beautiful of scenery. Now looking forward to a good sleep and for my feet to have a well deserved rest!

Abel Tasman - Day 4 - To Marahau

Our last day on the Abel Tasman, I woke early and watched a stunning sunrise whilst walking along Anchorage Bay. Up (again) from the hut along yet another great path through native forest with sudden glimpses of aquamarine as the sea suddenly appeared through a gap in the trees.


As we neared Marahau the forest changed, invaded by immigrant species of tree and plant. Day trippers smelled of deodorant and body lotion. By noon we had reached the end of the trail at the DOC information centre. Helen went for the car and I watched the baby swallows in their nest in the ceiling.

At Maharau the campsite showers were heavenly, allowing us to re-enter society as clean individuals! Had a lovely lunch then drove to Nelson where Christmas shopping gave us a reality check!

Abel Tasman - Day 3 - To Anchorage

Wednesday 21th December 2005

Up early but almost the last to leave the hut as most people were crossing the very low estuary. From the hut we climbed up and walked along great paths to Onetahuti Bay where another tidal stream needed to be crossed, this was very easy – you could almost jump across and we didn’t need to take off our boots! Rested a while before going up and over a ridge then down to Bark Bay. Had yet another tidal crossing which luckily had a high level route which we used, it added about ½ an hour to the walk. This was a lovely detour with a great waterfall at the end.

Bark Bay was beautiful – busy with kayakers but a great spot for a swim and lunch. Lunch as usual was cabin bread and cheese – think chunky Jacobs crackers and you’ve got it!

On to Torrent Bay, a gorgeous walk with a great suspension bridge to cross with kayakers paddling below. At Torrent Bay there were lots of Bachs (summer homes) and yet another tidal crossing. As we were too early we decided to take the rather lengthy high tide route – mistake! The path took forever and went very high, not was needed at the end of a long day.

Last to arrive at Anchorage Hut but a couple of bottom bunks available. Lots of friendly trampers here. A gorgeous sunset.

Abel Tasman - Day 2 - To Awaroa

Still raining in the morning and my cold had not improved any. All dressed up for the weather we headed down the trail only to realise that we were really close to the sea. We took the detour to Separation Point where we saw a couple of fur seals and some shags. Back on the path we continued to Mutton Cove, the weather started improving and we reached Totaranui.


As we had to cross a tidal bay and low tide was not until the evening we took it easy on the path from Totaranui to Awaroa. We stopped at Goat Bay where I had a paddle and Helen a swim. Arrived eventually at the Awaroa crossing, the tide was still too high, it was only safe to cross 2 hours before and after low tide, we had to wait until 5:12pm before we could try it. At 5:12 it still looked deep to me but took off the boots, donned the flipflops and started across. It did get deep – right up to my hips. Luckily the water was fairly warm. The Awaroa hut is right at the other side side, so we claimed a bunk and put dinner on to soak.

The tide continued to recede and it soon looked as though it would possible to cross the estuary dry shod! A walk before dinner then bed.

Abel Tasman - Day 1 - To Whariwharangi

Raining as we got on the boat outside the boat company office, as the tide was low we were driven by a tractor across the bay to open water. The journey felt rough as the speed boat bounced over the oncoming waves, it stopped at a number of golden bays on the way north, we would visit these again as we walked south.

We visited Tonga Island where there is a colony of New Zealand fur seals, they seemed to have a good life, lolling on the rocks, occasionally waving a flipper, their natural predators are orca and man, but hunting is forbidden in the national park and marine reserve – not a bad candidate for re-incarnation if such a thing existed.

We were last to get off, Totaranui being the final destination of the water taxi. From Totaranui we headed north on the inland track for a walk of a couple hours to our first nights stop the Whariwharangi DOC (Department of Conservation) hut. To get there we ascended Gibbs Hill, 405m. A fairly easy trail through scrub which gave good views down to the bays. A wee bit of mist hid the view at the summit but the path then descended through gorgeous native forest to the hut.
Shortly after we arrived it started to rain, not stopping until the next midmorning. The hut was fairly quiet, it was an old homestead which had been converted., there were flush toilets and a (cold) shower!

The Abel Tasman Great Walk

Sunday 18th December 2005. A day late we arrived in Marahau to tramp the Abel Tasman Coastal Route. I’ve got a bad cold so we’re skipping the inland route and taking a boat to start the walk at Totaranui and walk back to Marahau.
The Abel Tasman National Park was created in 1942 due to concerns about the possibility of large scale logging along its beautiful coast. Maori lived along the coast for at least 500 years before the arrival of Europeans, the first of whom, Abel Tasman visited the area in 1642. Permanent European settlement did not begin until 1855. These settlers logged the forest, quarried the granite and burned the hillsides for pasture.
The bedrock of the area is granite, which gives the beaches their golden colour. There is rich forest with tree ferns, kiekie, supplejack, black beech, kanuka and manuka.

Off to the Abel Tasman

I'm off on a 6 day trek around the Abel Tasman, one of New Zealand's Great Walks.

Pelorus Bridge Trails

Helen suggested the walk and loaned me her car to get to the start. The sky looked none too promising as I set out from Blenheim and it rained as I got close to the hills but it got nicer as I reached the coast at Havelock. There were several tracks to choose from, the Tawa and waterfall looked the best. Immediately I knew that it was a good choice, the forest reminded me of why I like New Zealand so much, the tree ferns, marble trees, huge tall trees whose name I need to find out. The canopy is so luxurious and wonderful.

The tracks were very good, the waterfalls suffered a little from too little water – even though we have had a fair bit of rain.

Back to the café at the car park for lunch and coffee. Then an up and down, round and round drive back along the Queen Charlotte Drive to Picton and home.

Picton

Helen, Rackin and I walked along a track from Picton Harbour to Bob's Bay. A lovely wee walk, only took about an hour.

Later on I helped Wendy in the vineyard, raising the wires on the vines then tucking the short vines in - very theraputic - better than working in an office any day!

The South Island

The South Island
Arriving at the South Island of New Zealand on a 19 passenger Beech 1900 aeroplane.

Flew into the South Island on a small 20 seater aeroplane. It was a wee bit cloudy at first but the views over Marlborough Sound were lovely. Staying with friends at a small vineyard near Blenheim. A great spot and very peaceful.

New Zealand

In the Botany Library, getting my internet fix. Arrived in New Zealand yesterday. Dawn came just as we arrived in new Zealand and it was beautiful flying in over the north islands. The plane was continuing to Brisbane and unfortunately one of my bags decided to stay on board - the one with most of my clothes! I did get it back last night. I'm staying a lovely B&B in the countryside outside Auckland. I ventured into the big city today and went up the Sky Tower which has great views. Tomorrow I fly down to Blenheim in the South Island.

Fish at the Japanese Garden

Fish at the Japanese GardenThe fish at the Japanese Garden in Long Beach rush for food.

I've met lots of relatives that I haven't seen in 25 years, and their children. I watched two of the girls play in a soccer game, good opportunity to try out my zoom lens - got some good photos. Yesterday I went to the Japanese garden, lots of colourful fish.

El Dorado Park

Egret

Walked the nature trail today with my cousin's young daughter. It's in Long Beach not far from my aunt's house. Lots of birds around, we even saw a duck catch a fish which then had trouble swallowing it as other ducks tried to get their share and the kids tried to see what was going on! It looks as though it might rain today.

Seal Beach

Seal Beach

At last, the sea again after 3 months away from it. As usual the haar had come in so it was cloudy but still nice to be there. We walked along the pier and saw a shark that a fisherman had caught and was going to have for his dinner.

Flying to California

Flew from Dallas to LA yesterday, only an hour late. Great views flying across the country, loved the desert views and the mountains. Will get some photos up soon. Staying with relatives, it's 25 years since I was last here! Bit cloudy this morning but nice and mild.