Kia ora once again and sorry to keep many of you waiting, as we have been settling into life here, time has flown by and the question is where to start.
Our Home, Wanaka
Firstly I’m happy to say Lee has got a job working as a ‘liftie’ on the ski field, something he has always wanted to experience. It will allow him to have plenty of time boarding and a chance to do his instructors course, and he will be able to slow down those lifts for all the newbies i.e me and reduce the risk of embarrassing face plants. I hope.
Wanaka is turning into a pretty amazing place to live, with autumn passing by and winter approaching the colours and scenery have been incredible. Town has turned a little quieter, so we have had more time off work, but more importantly time to get out and play.
Before Ben and Jules left to start their journey home, we had a number of trips to Hospital Flat, our local climbing playground. Fifteen minutes down the road, the routes are short well bolted and get all day sun. To celebrate Ben’s birthday and wish our friends well, we enjoyed a final meal at the spice room, an indian where I’ve also found some work. It was sad to see this lovely couple leave but I’m sure we’ll meet again.
Climbing Wanaka
Sarah, a friend from Uni was also able to join us for the meal, thinking she would get away with just passing through briefly on her travels, but I insisted she stayed a little longer and came for a walk upto Rob Roys Glacier with me. I wish you all the best back in the Lake District now, I know you love it there.
With the excitement of seeing somebody I know from home I thought it was also about time I visited another uni friend Hannah who is living in Kaikoura. Marie a friend from work was mad enough to believe in my idea of hitching there. I am sorry to admit we hitched, I know some of you would be concerned about it but it is more accepted here and it all turned out well.
Hitch To Kaikoura
With only three days to get there and back before work the journey began, now Kaikoura is a good eight hours drive away so you can see why the idea was a little crazy, however with great success and kind drivers we set off at 10am, arriving outside Hannah’s work at 7.30pm. Not costing a cent to get there we celebrated with a few beers and planned our one day there. First thing was to book onto a coach to get back, as we didn’t want to worry about not making it home for work.
Hannah & Emma, Kaikoura
We visited on such a beautiful day, and I loved just sitting by the sea. The highlight was definitely visiting the seal pups at a waterfall where hundreds visit to play in the fresh water pool. (See Videos Ohau Stream Seal Pups)
It was exciting getting away for a few days, but it was also really nice returning back to Wanaka and having a feeling of home, especially with two cuddly boys waiting to be fed.
I have also been busy heading out with groups of students from the local high school. Mt Aspiring College has a fantastic outdoor education programme where students 16+ have lessons on climbing, kayaking, tramping, winter sports and lots more. Apart from it just being fun tagging along, I thought it would be good experience seeing what teaching outdoor Ed is like in NZ. The teachers are all good fun and have become excellent sources of information for all the unknown spots to visit.
I was delighted when they asked if I would like to join a group on the Routeburn Track, which is another of the great walks. The students all took care of one another, and it was great chatting with them along the way, over the three days. The scenery was incredible as we started in Glenorchy, making our way into Milford. Multi-day tramping is big in NZ and it is well set up with huts along the way. In the height of summer, thousands may do this tramp but for now it is perfectly quiet. Having someone who had also guided on the walk nearing fifty times meant we were able to visit secret viewing points.
Routeburn Track
There are also some fantastic walks around Wanaka, and there is always someone eager enough to come out too. Marie and I also seem to get spectacular weather and we had fantastic views of Mt Aspiring from Isthmus Peak. Recently Helen also came too as we scrambled upto Breast Peak, admiring the handy craft of a newly built hut, hidden away.
Mt Aspiring National Park (Home)
Lake Hawea
We have also finally met up with the boys in Queenstown from uni, and when I say we bumped into Ben Farren, I literally did, gazing up across the road there he was, with a huge grin and hug to match. Our quick shopping trip turned into a good catch up and plans to meet again. Ben and Breakall came over to Wanaka recently for a bit of man time when I was away on the Routeburn, although I did get to head out for a climb beforehand. Unfortunately no pictures but it was a good time all getting on top of the tombstone, chilling out and being reminded of the Lake District. On the other side of the world you never know who will be there with you at times. Lee spent a rather intoxicating night over in Queenstown with the boys and has just recently got back from a surfing trip down in Dunedin.
Dunedin Surf
Back to bits and pieces, Lee has done an awesome job getting the majority of the wood ready for winter, and as the leaves have fallen from the trees we have been pottering in the garden still amused with the novelty of it all. An attempt has been made at getting some seeds ready for winter veg, but as my mum says, you just got to bung something in and see how it does.
The van has also gone through a bit of TLC another project to keep Lee busy whilst i’m bringing home the bacon, he has covered up all the rust and just to test his skills further I thought i’d reverse into the next door neighbours post box, leaving a nicely dinted, scratched van and a post box in two. Both were repaired to a high level of workmanship. The reason being we are hoping to sell her, although we have had a fantastic time travelling in it, it would be more economical having a car.
Firewood
Hope you enjoy seeing some of our new photos, all well and happy over here especially now that mum, dad and Hayles have got themselves booked in for christmas. I’m so excited about sharing so much with you, but mainly to just give you all a huge hug. For the time being we’ll have winter to keep us busy and i’ll look forward to telling you about the snowboarding.
Lots of Love to you all, Lee, Em and Ozzy cat xXx