St. James Walkway
August 29 - We got away for the weekend! Traveled across the South Island to the west coast. Spent the night in Hanmer Hot Springs (A miniature Park City with commercialized hot springs fed pools with varying temperatures. Great family spot!) then went to Christchurch for an All Blacks Rugby Game. It was our first professional rugby game and despite the loss to Argentina, it was a fun time. Beautiful city with a lot of interesting sites - Hagley Park (botanical garden, amazing tress from all over the world, river running through it, small lake with a remote controlled tiny ship sailing regatta happening. We finished our weekend on the way home with a short tramp through the lovely forest along the St. James Walkway at Lewis Pass.
August 26 - Hanmer Hot Springs Fairy Door Forest Walk
August 22 - Tough week for the Nelson/Tasman and other areas of New Zealand. A tropical atmospheric river of precipitation descended for record amounts of rain, water inspired landslides (slippages), and home flooding. Schools closed and people were advised to not venture out due to road damage and closures. Here are a few pictures.
August 14 - This week more exploring locally...highlights - Wine Friend arrived! Saturday swim followed by coffee, the Nelson Saturday Market, and Tahunanui Beach. Mark made the family favorite Crepes Suzette for Caroline's birthday. Mark explored the Whispering Falls Track with Richard while I made my first Strawberry Rhubarb pie (Tersha has an excellent garden that we are using a lot!) Sunday dinner in Upper Moutere with Mark's work friends.
photo credit: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/300667629/in-pictures-fourdays-of-extreme-weather-causes-widespread-destruction
photo credit: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/300667629/in-pictures-fourdays-of-extreme-weather-causes-widespread-destruction
August 8 - This week: walked Monaco Peninsula with Carolyn; tramped Jimmy Lee Track with Tersha; Mark - great week at Nelson Bays Primary and we took off on Thursday to Nelson Lakes National Park. Stayed in St. Arnaud at the Alpine Lodge. Tramped the St. Arnaud track to Parachute Rocks and Mt. Robert track. Biked another part of the Great Taste Trail with Richard - Richmond to Wakefield and back... New words: "shout" - a friend treats you to a flat white; Mark's colleague Richard has given him Kiwi medical jargon for foreign health care workers: colly wobbles-nausea & nervousness; in the wars-patient is suffering more than one illness or accident. We continue to be in awe of the beauty of the land, people, and wine. (P.S. our subscription to Wine Friend started this week, so we are better educated on the wines of NZ!)