Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the atahualpa domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home3/aboarddi/public_html/blog/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114
New Zealand « Aboard Dignity (Lagoon 420) Blog

Categories

A sample text widget

Etiam pulvinar consectetur dolor sed malesuada. Ut convallis euismod dolor nec pretium. Nunc ut tristique massa.

Nam sodales mi vitae dolor ullamcorper et vulputate enim accumsan. Morbi orci magna, tincidunt vitae molestie nec, molestie at mi. Nulla nulla lorem, suscipit in posuere in, interdum non magna.

Motueka

The weather refused to improve for rest of the day in Wellington. We decided to go for the 4pm showing of the Green Hornet and eat later. We struggled through the cold rain the short distance to the cinema and settled in for a very mediocre movie. Our alternate was to watch the King’s Speech which in hindsight would have been the better choice. However, we felt a drama could wait for DVD while an action movie was best watched on the big screen. It passed the time.

We ended up eating in the food court in the cinema complex where we had a good sized curry for a very reasonable price. We ended up spending the rest of the evening in the hotel room with a bottle of wine watching another movie.

This morning we took the ferry to the south island. There were warnings of an uncomfortable ride with 4 meter swells. The ferry did swing around a bit but nothing like we’ve got used to in similar conditions.

Just before arriving in Picton we gave Jackie and Gary a call on Inspiration Lady as we knew they could be in the area. It turned out they were and were glad to meet up for lunch – as were we. It was nice to meet them and hear what they’ve been up to for the last month. In fact we had a pretty good feeling all round. A lot of that had to be the sunshine which greeted us in the south island.

After lunch we headed off in the direction of the Abel Tasman National Park where we intend to hike soon. We’ve stopped off at a Top 10 campsite and pitched the tent. We plan on relaxing a little tomorrow and use the time to make up our minds what to do in the park.

INSERT_MAP

A Very Wet Wellington

It rained all the way down from Napier to Wellington. It’s still raining. We’ve checked into the budget Trinity Hotel and have no desire to leave just yet. We’ll probably just have the afternoon in before going out for a meal and to the movies which are nearby.

INSERT_MAP

Tasting around Napier

We had quite a full day on Saturday around Napier despite the unseasonably cold and wet weather. Judy and Colin took us out to visit a variety of the local wineries along with their son Brett who works in the industry here.

Our first stop was the very plush Craggy Range where we sampled a few of their whites and reds – all very nice. We bought a bottle of Chardonnay which we liked which we’ll save for a special day.

Next stop was to visit some good friends of Judy and Colin, Roz and Mike, who had recently visited the Abel Tasman national park which we plan to visit sometime soon. They had a wonderful home and gave us some helpful insights into the park.

From their house we drove up to the top of the ridge for the view. We were able to see some distance but the weather limited what we could see and it was a bit chilly so we didn’t stop long.

Next stop was another winery, Ngtarawa, where we again sampled some wines and this time bought a Syrah – a red wine which we don’t usually drink but quite enjoyed. Before eating we stopped off at Trinity Hill to take a look around.

We stopped for a late lunch at The Filter Room where the food was excellent. The place was a brewery so Helen and I had a six glass sampler of their beers.

Our last stop was another winery called The Mission which was frequently (and currently) used for wedding functions. We had a brief look around but passed on additional tasting. We were all about pooped by now. Brett was dropped off at his car which was left at Judy’s parents who we briefly met before we all returned to The Barnz to rest the remainder of the afternoon.

Brett and his wife Michelle joined us for dinner in the evening and we enjoyed all their company.

This morning we’re heading off in the continued rain to Wellington in time for our ferry ride tomorrow. Fortunately the bad weather plaguing us at the moment is not affecting the south island so we should be seeing sunshine soon.

The Barnz

It rained all night at Lake Waikaremoana.  Fortunately, bar a few drips here and there, we remained quite dry in the tent.  In the morning we skipped breakfast and tidied up as fast as we could.  The clothes that had got wet the previous day were put in the tumble dryer.  When we had everything bar the tent packed we waited for a lull in the rain to put that away.  The flysheet was stuffed into a bin bag and the main tent quickly folded, brushed and put away.

The drive down the other side of the mountain to the east coast very quickly brought us to better weather.  We even saw the sun at times.  The road all the way to Napier, even the section that followed the coast was very windy taking many more miles than the proverbial crow would fly.  This led to some interesting scenery as we wound our way in and out of deep gorges.

We reached Napier around lunch time.  First stop was an internet shop where we checked on our mail and uploaded our blogs.  Next was lunch and a little shopping. The came a hunt for a dentist. Helen’s crown had come loose and we really wanted that fixed before she accidentally swallowed it. We visited many but only found one with a slot to see here at the end of the day. The dentist hunt allowed us to see much of Napier which is famous for it’s Art Deco themed architecture – preserved through rebuilding after a 1931 earthquake.

We waited for the dental appointment on top of the bluff overlooking the port of Napier taking in the sights and reading. Helen’s appointment turned out to be short but expensive.

Next stop was The Barnz, home of Colin and Judy Barnes who we’d got to know via email and have invited us for a couple of day.

INSERT_MAP

They have a lovely home near the coast and have been wonderful and informative hosts. They shared a couple of bottles of wine with us over dinner – always a way to please us. We then went out to a local winery where they had live music and a nice atmosphere albeit a little chilly. The weather seems to have chased us down the mountain with cold rain being the dominant theme.

Today we’re off to visit some of the local area wineries of which the region is famous. Should be good.

A Wet Hike

The forecast for the day suggested a little light rain in the morning clearing up a little afterwards. We can stand a little rain and we have only the one full day here so we went ahead with our planned hike around the nearby Ruapani Circuit.

This hike was listed as taking 5-6 hours. The first hour was a continuous but gentle ascent along a well made track, something now very familiar to us. The vegetation was lush. At the top we reached Lake Waikareiti which was shrouded in mist. We stopped to eat a packet of crisps in a day shelter – the only one we would find on the whole circuit. While there we saw raindrops forming on the lake and a few fall around us. Well, the forecast had suggested there would be some rain in the morning.

We trudged on. The small spatters of rain turned into a continuous drizzle that decided it was there to stay. Once we were off the Waikareiti Track and onto the loop that completes the Ruapani Circuit the path became less well maintained. Frequently we would have to wade through fern glades full of grasses containing seeds that clung to our leg hairs although not leaving the plant without a struggle. The ferns were soaking wet so each time we went through a new glade the water from the ferns would run down our legs and into our boots. My waterproof boots proved their worth by retaining all the water that dripped into them making for a sloshy walk. The grasses made us feel as though our legs were being waxed. Not fun. There are solutions to these problems but we don’t have them.

The hike took five and a half hours all in. Helen’s kneed and thigh played up and with the rain she ended up not having too great a time. The views would have been spectacular bar for the rain which obscured them all.

When we got back to the tent we found that the sleeping area had flooded a little. The air vents which had held rain at bay in the past did not do so this time. One had drained in. The bottom end of our sleeping bags was now all wet and so were some of our previously left for dry clothes. The joys of camping.

We were able to make do and spent much of the remainder of the day in our sleeping bags warming up and reading. We had a brief respite from the rain while eating dinner but now it’s back. We dread packing up in the morning. Even if it stops raining soon the ground is sodden. We’ll deal with it if we have to but we may not be happy. Onwards to Napier tomorrow.