Time to visit hidden gems

How often do we all go sailing passed a sign to somewhere and think we will visit that one day??? 

Well as we now have time we are making the time to stop and visit some of these such places. One that we recently took the time to detour into was the Historic Lindis Pass Hotel. 

You may well be asking yourself where that is, and like us having travelled that route many a time, not even know that there had been a hotel in that area. In fairness to us all though, I think it is only recently that a group of dedicated people have done some restoration work and in conjunction with DOC, to make it available for visitors and campers alike.  The road into this site turns onto Old Faithful Road, opposite Timburn Road, which is on the other side of the river to SH8, though if you know where to look you can see the site from this road. There is a rest area not far from this viewing spot and an information board gives you some of the local history. 

Part of the information board.

Our Motorhome Directory that lists all the camping spots, says that the road in is windy, steep and not suitable for large vehicles so taking its advice we have not ventured in with the bus. 

Our opportunity came last weekend when we were returning from Clyde in the car (to replace the hot water cylinder) and as we were in no particular hurry decided to drive the 6km in to have a look.  

The road is not as difficult as it says, and we are sure the bus would easily make it. In fact there were a couple of large vehicles already in there and it is a lovely camping spot.

The old hotel has been an amazing place in its time, and much of it is still standing. The rooms are clearly defined with the kitchen being easily identified by the old coal range.

This is definitely well worth a stop, perhaps a place for a picnic lunch the next time you are heading through the Lindis.

Another gem that we have discovered is yet another DOC campsite, but very much closer to Geraldine and probably somewhere we wouldn’t have ventured had we not being having an extended stay in the area. On Sunday my sister and brother-in-law were bringing a meal for lunch so we decided to take some time to explore the area we have never been to before. Waihi Gorge is only 14km from Geraldine and we thought it looked a good place to spend on a hot sunny Canterbury day. We weren’t wrong. It is such a lovely spot with the Waihi River weaving its way through lots of native bush.

There were lots of other people here, some camping and some just for the day out.  There are no formed tracks as such but there are certainly plenty of places to walk along the river. 

We took our bikes and biked the 6 or so km to the end of the road. We got some spectacular views from the top down into the gorge and right near the top you look down onto some waterfalls. The more adventurous have walked down, as you could see a track, but we decided the zoom on the camera was enough for us today. The whole area was so quiet, except for the bird song, and the occasional sheep or cow. We could have done with Lloyd (bird expert from In’gill) to help us identify the different birds in the native bush that surrounds the area. 

Once again this is a place we could easily return to for a night or two of camping.

When it pays to listen!

It always pays to listen and take things in. Obviously I have been doing just that over the years when Stephen was working as an AA officer.

On Monday afternoon we had taken Mum into hospital for her op and then spent the time waiting for her to go back to the ward. We had a picnic lunch at Patiti Point which overlooks the sea  and is close to the hospital, and then we visited a long time family friend.  

Heading back to the car (I was driving), after seeing Mum was fine and settled for the evening, we got into their Mitsibushi Colt, only to wonder what all the commotion was. Initially I thought a child was in the next car playing with the horn. But we soon realised it was us, as the hazard lights started flashing and the horn got louder.  It was then I remembered Stephen having attended similar call-outs. It is all to do with the remote locking system. You have to get back into the car in the reverse order of what you did when you left. So if you used the remote to lock it, you must unlock it the same way. Of course I have never had a car modern enough to have such technology and I had unlocked the car with the key, setting off the alarm. Dad had no idea what was happening but somewhere I remembered I needed to get out and lock the car with the remote and then unlock it the same way. BINGO. The racket ceased. Since talking to Stephen he has since told us that some cars just fail to start rather than an alarm, especially Toyotas, but obviously this Mitsibushi goes down the path of setting off the alarm. Neither Mum or Dad even knew there was an alarm but I’m sure Dad won’t ever forget. I am also sure that the hospital staff were pleased too as we were very close to the ambulance entrance and associated services and could have been very tedious if we had had to wait for the local AA Officer.

Mum is now home, (Friday afternoon) and is doing well.  She still isn’t allowed to do a lot, and in particular drive a car for six weeks. Dad thinks that’s a bonus and will be a savings on the fuel bill!! We are going to stay on until the end of the week (28 February) to help out with meals and any other general chores that need doing. Though Dad at almost 90 is amazing and there isn’t too much he can’t do. He was even up a ladder, much to Mum’s horror, with Stephen helping him fit the new solar panels to the roof of the bus.

Dad, aged almost 90, in his vegetable garden.

Snakes and Ladders

Sometimes I think we are playing a game of snakes and ladders!!! Our trip seems to take several steps forward followed by a slide down the snake.
Before Christmas we were all set to head off on the road, after the family wedding in Owaka. But no, one of our properties became unrented and we took the opportunity to do some major renovation work, resulting in us spending the best part of two months in Invercargill. (At least we are getting better weather now than in January!)
On the road again with plans to head up the Coast and on to Nelson, and my Mum gets the call from the hospital she has been waiting for, re an operation, and we always said we wanted to be there to help out. So instead of heading up the Coast we have travelled up through the Waitaki valley on our way  to Geraldine.
Next snake: we were sitting back after a lovely day at Mount Cook, making plans for the next day when a phone call from our tenant in Clyde changed the plans again. The hot water cylinder had sprung a major leak and needed replacing. Stephen decided that it would make sense for us to head back to Clyde and replace it himself. So down to Twizel for the night we went and set up camp in the camping grounds at Ruataniwha, so we could leave the bus there while we whizzed back to Clyde.
Thirty five hours later we back, job completed, a happy tenant and all is well again.

One dead cylinder

One brand new, bargained priced cylinder, thanks to help from Doug,
the plumber in the family.

Replacement in progress

The completed job.

Of course each new snake or ladder takes us on a route we haven't  planned on but we are seeing so many places and things that we never knew were there, or just never had to the time to see. There are some magical places in the Waitaki Valley and it is well worth taking the time if you can.  We have had wonderful weather, fantastic views and just got out there and enjoyed it.

Our ladder is now taking us on to Geraldine for the next week or so. We will keep you posted!!

Aoraki/Mount Cook

Our DOC camp booklet says there is a camp at White Horse Hill, just 2km on from the Mount Cook Village so this was our destination and camping spot for the next three nights. The camp is set at the base of the mountains, with a fantastic view of Mt Sefton and all of its glaciers. A view of the 'mountain' itself is not visible but a short walk around the very large pile of moraine gives you all the view you want. The camp itself is basic, with toilets, a shelter with sinks to wash dishes, treated water and a dump for your waste water.  We arrived mid afternoon and even then finding a spot large enough for the bus was not easy. Thank goodness we didn't leave it any later in the day. I think at dusk there were at least 70 vehicles parked up, included campervans, caravans, sleeper vans, cars with tenters and of course our bus. 

Our campsite at White Horse Hill DOC camp. Mt Sefton is in the background

We both have been to the area in the past but never taken the time to explore the walking tracks or even just spend any time. We can highly recommend anyone to allow 2-3 days minimum to have a good look around. We walked up the Hooker Valley to the Hooker Valley. This was a 3 hour return trip and well worth the effort. We took a packed lunch and spent time at the lake taking in the scenery. The glaciers are melting at a very fast rate and there were big chunks to be seen floating in the lake.  We were only a few weeks late to have seen the Mount Cook Lily, (it isn't a lily but really the world's largest buttercup) in flower. It is great to see it thriving in this valley, happening since deer and grazing animals have been removed from the park. 

Taking a break to take in the views

A broken piece of ice from the Hooker Glacier.

Looking up the Hooker valley at a  view of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Another good walk is in the Tasman Valley. A short drive up the valley first, before a 15min walk up to a lookout over the lake and up the valley to the Tasman glacier. It is very easy to see how quickly the glacier is retreating, as only as far back as 1996 it was right down the valley in the area that we were standing. A loop walk on the way back to the car took us via the blue lakes. This walk wasn't nearly as popular as the lookout one, and mostly it was just us and nature.

A view of the Tasman Glacier about 2km up the valley.

Stephen looking down the Tasman Valley.

Looking across to the line of the glacier, around 1996.

The Blue Lake

There is also lots to do in the village itself. It is well worth allowing plenty of time to have a good look around the Information. There is plenty for everyone, with history from early Maori with their legend of Aoraki, to early farming, to the development of the Park and the Hermitage. The staff are very helpful and plenty of people were making use of their knowledge to plan trips or learn more about the area.

The Hermitage is accessible for everyone, regardless of whether you are staying there or not. There is a large shopping area with all the usual tourist products, but also a small area selling the basic of groceries. The Edmund Hillary Centre is dedicated to Sir Ed's involvement in the park, though we only looked down in to the area from the cafe/bar where we shouted ourselves a wine while we sat and enjoyed the views of the mountains.

Our last walk was a bush walk in the area behind the Hermitage, through Governors Bush. This took us up quite high and commanded some excellent views. Many of our native plants were also labeled and it was good to know just how many of these I now know having spent all those hours at the Southland Community Nursery.

Stephen taking a rest at the top

A view up the valley to Aoraki/Mount Cook

For further information about the area http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/aoraki-mount-cook/features/

Valentine's Day

We aren't ones usually to make much fuss over Valentine's Day but this morning I thought we would indulge with 'a slap up' breakfast. So we dined on rolled oat pancakes made into heart shapes, and served with greek yoghurt, boysenberries and a butterscotch sauce.

A breakfast fit for a king - or a Valentine!!

Cycling

The rise in popularity of cycling is certainly being catered for in the Waitaki Valley. We came across a section of the Alps to Ocean (A2O) trail at the Lake Ohau Lodge. Once we had an internet connection I searched out further detail and have now added it to our bucket list. It is 300km in length, drops over 700m, and goes from Mount Cook/Aoraki all the way to Oamaru.  The official opening of the track from Aoraki to Omarara is on Saturday morning. There is a bit of work to do be done on the bridges before then, and certainly it won't be the smooth Grade1/2 level in parts that it is listed as being by then.
When we moved on to Lake Pukaki we got the bikes out and went for a mid morning cycle -that was when the muscles from our 4 hour ride became evident again!! :-(   It was a very pleasant ride along the canal and then up onto the SH8 to the information centre. From here you can find signage for the A2O  trail and so we had another taster, this time along the shore of the Lake and up to the Pines camping area.

Cycling is a great way to see places you whizz past when in a car. The area on the Pukaki River side of the road is very extensive and some of the views are very commanding as our photos show.
We will certainly be taking every opportunity to get on the bikes and of course we need to build up our fitness if we are to do the A2O trail.
Further details about the trail can be found at http://www.nzcycletrail.com/alps-2-ocean-cycle-trail

"On the Road Again...."

After a few days in Clyde, cleaning up and restocking the bus, we were ready to set off on our next road trip.  Originally we had planned to travel up through the Haast Pass to the West Coast and then on to Nelson but because of a family commitment in Geraldine our journey is taking us through the Mackenzie Basin. Saturday in Clyde was on of those scorchers so we had our first break at Champagne Creek, just a few kms into the Cromwell Gorge. The road was also very busy and as we such a long vehicle - 9 metres of bus plus the car, we decided to wait until the cool of the evening and a quieter road before going any further. This was an excellent decision and after a meal, we headed off. A fuel stop in Cromwell was all we needed before continuing along SH 8. Our parking spot for the night was a rest area in the Lindis Pass, close (other side of the river) to the Historic site of the Lindis Hotel. An information board makes interesting reading about how gold was first found in the area in 1861. We spent a comfortable night here, with two other campervans for company, before setting off early the next morning.

Champagne Creek next to Lake Dunstan

Enjoying our evening meal out of doors.

Camp site beside Lake Ohau

Stephen's first fish.

Baked in foil for tea.

As we were getting close to the Lake Ohau turnoff we decided that it was a long time since either of us had been up this road. As a child we used to visit family friends, the Weatheralls who farmed Ohau Station so I was keen to have another look. Just before the Alpine Village, we came across a District Council camp and made the decision to make this our camp for the night. We managed a site right next to the lake and were very happy to be parked up so early in the day.
While I made breakfast Stephen thought he would try his hand at fishing and I am not sure who was more surprised when he came back with a pound and a half trout. It certainly made a fine meal for tea that night.

 Should have taken the camera!
Our afternoon entertainment was to give the bikes an airing. They hadn't been out since November when we were in Te Anau and a gentle 5km ride up the road to the Lake Ohau Lodge was where we set out sights. It was an easy ride, despite the heat but of course we weren't content with just that. A section of Aoraki to the the Ocean Mountain Bike Track, tempted us and off we set. Of course parts of it were great and other sections, including bridges, were incomplete. We must have gone at least 5kms along it before realising that if we continued we would be in Omarama!!! The views were spectacular (should have taken the camera) and once finished it will be a magnificent track. However we were not wanting to go that far so we found a track that took us on a less conventional way to our campsite. For a first bike trip out,  4 hours wasn't too bad a start. No doubt the muscles will tell all next time.

Four Months On

After four months of quite a busy time, we are back on the road in our bus and it is time to reactivate my blog posts.
What have we have we been doing?

Kermit, Dooby Bear and Biker Bear
travelling on the ferry from Naxos to Athens

Well after collecting the bus from my brother's farm near Mayfield, we headed over to Greymouth to return the 'toys' to their classroom in Runanga. (They had their own blog for their class, relating their travels with us.)  We spent several days travelling down through the Haast to Clyde where we then
we spent some time resting and catching up with ourselves. A shame really to think that you need to do that after such a holiday!!!

We have been to two weddings, painted the outside of our property in Te Anau and done a major renovations project on our rental property in Otatara which took us seven weeks hard work.

Wedding 1:Signing the register at Malhide Gardens
with Rachel and Chris.

Camping spot beside the Catlins River,
near Owaka

Wedding 2:Lisa, Chris and Shelby.

Base camp in Te Anau

Painting in progress.

Before we started.

Working on the kitchen

Completed kitchen

         







We have spent time catching up with many friends and groups that we are involved with.  During all this time we have been living in the bus, having it parked up in our driveway in Rakiura Parade from early December to the end of January.

Before leaving Invercargill we spent two nights at the  Community Nursery in Otatara. Chris and Brian have a new vehicle park and needed it tested so our bus was just perfect . 

The bus testing out the new parking space.

Having a final cuppa.