Boog's Blog

Hike over the pass, lunch at lake Brunner and walk along the shore of this temperate rain forest. Water taxi across the lake and a night at Punakaiki resort.

Green stone walk, same path taken by Mauri for their jade. Then came the real gold rush.

Good walks before lunch but the highlight was the keas. Flying soaring destroying the vans. One pulled off the aerial whole we watched. On further examination it unscrewed the aerial, we were able to reattach.

Good shot of QB chatting with two keas. Some really excellent shots of keas are too be found on our flickr site.

After a walk about the lake, a moss filled forest, many ferns and plants not seen at home, a jet taxi ride across the five km lake to a night facing the Tasman sea. Aussie land is 1500 miles away.

Last evening saw the southern sky on a perfectly clear night. No urban or rural lights. Southern cross and spectacular view of milky way.

Climb is to a sheep station hut, nice place for lunch.

Accent and decent are dangerous. Mostly rocks stones roots weeds with some steep grades.

Five hours of hard walking and all we got was a couple of bellbirds and maybe a Wren.

Sheep station visit and demo. Herding, dogs and their training, wool preparation and got to see a blade cut shearing of a merino, sheared as a single piece.a real working farm.

Flickr pics to be delayed as just not enough bandwidth. Good shots from the walk and especially from the sheep farm.

First to kura tawhiti and some climbing in limestone spiritual forms.

http://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/canterbury/inland-canterbury/castle-hill-basin/castle-hill-kura-tawhiti

Naturally climbed another useless hill.

Dew pronounced Jew, several other sound substitutions. Chusday,chew instead of tube.

Jafa,just another freaking Aucklander. Also a candy sweet similar to an m&m. Unique to nz.

Good expression. A box of birds.

Then to Arthur's Pass

http://www.arthurspass.com/index.php?page=181

Eco Lodge. No TV no distraction and maybe an outside connection. If you receive this Tuesday Or Wednesday then the tine line…

Morning flight to the south island. No charge for bags, did not check for identity or boarding passes at security.

Significant damage still evident in Christchurch. Containers have become stores for retail. Significant rebuilding with a shortage of hotel rooms and restaurant seats, booking required for dinner.parking lots where buildings should be. Construction sounds everywhere.

Lunch manuka wood smoked salmon lightly smoked. Excellent.

New Zealand possum. We do not have these. A pest here used for its fur, hollow fibers good for warmth. Mixed with merino wool.

Interviewed for the Press, local newspaper, Saturday edition. Maybe with pictures.

Fruit has been a disappointment. We are so lucky to have the quality and variety of where we live.

First some more admin, there is always admin. If you are reading this on the blog,until the pictures show up again on the blog either click on the Google plus link or the flickr pictures.

Waiheke island. Wine, beaches and trails. Mostly outdoor activities. No mention of tea rooms in the brochures.

Coastal walk included feet in the bay,onoroa bay. Being hot and humid ordered ice coffee in the village. Got a drink with milk honey whipped cream and coffee. Shop had no ice but one again extremely nice people.

Next stop Davenport, another cute peninsula bay. Some low scale Victorians.

The lamb came to the table, it was that fresh. Had to try it with thoughts of Douglas Adams in my mind. Fine restaurant that he too visited.