South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Day 390 – 423 11 Nov- 15 Dec 2010

 South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Day 390 –  423

11 November - 15 December 2010

This blog is best viewed in conjunction with Raewyn's email episode that corresponds with the same days and dates.  If you don’t get that email let us know.  There are a great deal more pics taken at places mentioned and places in between.  At some of the locations where pics have been taken from there were geocaches.  For interest these have been identified with ‘GC’. If you want to know about geocaching check out www.geocaching.com   . 

(NOTE:  If you have any trouble with pics ‘fully showing let me know barrieb@arkon.co.nz   Also if you double click on the pic it should show completely.)

Well we're off again.  Only cheating a little, the start is about 2km back down the road.  gc

This part of the journey really begins with a dull day at Franz Josef Glacier.  gc

On one of the walks at Franz Josef was this small pond called Peter's Pond.

Complete with a resident family.  There were a couple of other ducklings nearby.

The free camp site we used at Clearwater Stream was just down the road from Lake Matheson at Fox.  The calm of the land, mountains and growing sky - forces at work. gc

We never did to see the famous Lake Matheson reflection as you can see from the pic the weather wasn't so good.  Nevertheless the walk around the circumference of the lake was well worth it. gc

Beautiful flora.

The top end of Lake Matheson was the calmest.  There was a good track all the way around.

With plenty of opportunity to rediscover ones lost boyhood.  Hmm, that's hard, I think it can stay lost!

 

Making the best of a flat light day the fence posts underscore the Fox Glacier valley.

Further south Shipwreck Creek is well worth the stop to enjoy the walks.gc

Through the Kahikatea forest.

To the large sand lakes. gc

And back past Shipwreck Beach to the car park.

The reminder to drive safe on the remote West Coast road.

No trip down the West Coast would really be complete if you couldn't say that you made it all the way to Jacksons Bay.  The end of the road and we were to late by 15mins for the famous fish and chips! gc

On the road to Jacksons Bay of see plenty of these big structures - whitebait stands.

All to catch these little whitebait.

Or if you're more into it for the art.

Lake Hawea. gc

Was very reflective this morning. gc

After Hawea we stayed a couple of nights at Albertown on the Clutha before Wanaka. gc

There were ducks everywhere....!

This would have to be one of the most photographed scenes at Puzzling World, Wanaka.

And most warmed.

The lupin was in full bloom around Wanaka - oh the hayefever!

Yes everywhere. gc

We stayed on the shore of Lake Dunstan for a couple of days. gc

Where some quiet times was enjoyed.

A bit of a detour to Heriot. gc

Where we caught up with friends at a rally.

Another flax flower pic.

A view of Ettrick from on high.  gc

On the way to Queenstown through the Kawarau Gorge there was a little delay as some unstable rocks were dislodged.  gc

The end of this blog takes us up the Glenorchy / Kinloch Road.

To Kinloch for some more fishing and blobbing out.

Beautiful mornings.

And long lasting evenings.


Wish you were here..............!!!
Remember it's not whether you can afford to it's whether you can afford NOT TOO.

South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Day 198 – 219 02 - 24 May 2010

 From Lake Dunstan (see pics previous blog) on our way back to Nelson for the winter.

At many of the locations where pics have been taken from there were geocaches.  For interest these have been identified with ‘GC’. If you want to know about geocaching check out www.geocaching.com   

We are now wintering over in Nelson for possibly three months until the end of August.  During this time this blog will semi hibernate with most of the content being limited to Tasman and Golden Bay and any geocaches we find in the area.  This blog is best viewed in conjunction with Raewyn's email episode that corresponds with the same days and dates. 

(NOTE:  If you have any trouble with pics ‘fully showing let me know barrieb@arkon.co.nz   Also if you double click on the pic it should show completely.)

Lake Dunstan.  The following few pics were taken early morning at our free camp at lake Dunstan.  Out first frost. 

 

Lake Dunstan.   The morning sun tries to to break through the morning mist.

Chatto Creek.  Historic post office that’s still in use. GC

Ophir.  One lane bridge on the way to the historic town of Ophir. GC

St Bathans.  The historic haunted Vulcan Hotel.

St Bathans.  The following are some pics taken on our walk around the Blue Lake.

St Bathans.  It's just big enough for some limited water skiing.

St Bathans.  All around the lake there is evidence of the early gold mining days.

St Bathans.  The lake is really blue.

St Bathans.  The shoreline in mostly barren.

St Bathans.  Except for the south western end.

St Bathans.  Most of the landscape is quite barren.

St Bathans.  Could be mistaken for Aku Aku maybe.

On the road again.  Road through the Maniatoto heading to Wedderburn

Naseby.  Spruce forest in autumn. GC

Naseby.  The home of curling. GC

Naseby.  No they have an Olympic indoor curling rink now so there's little use for this one.

Naseby.  The use of the outdoor swimming pool in the Black Forest must be somewhat limited.  It is a big hole dug in the ground with concrete poured in in parts. GC

Naseby.  What we would do to get to a geocache. GC

Naseby.  There was a geocache out by Coal Pit Dam – on the far side. GC

Mosgiel.  Early morning training at the Wingatui Race Course.

Mosgiel.  Our camp for more than ten days.

Mosgiel.  After a long walk through the Flagstaff forest in the hills behind Mosgiel to find a geocache the path ended at this historic water wheel.  Yes it was a bit dark in the forest. GC

Aramoana.  A memorial of a past tragedy that will long be remembered. GC

Aramoana.  Protected wetlands looking back to Port Chalmers.  Note the container ship at the port. GC

Port Chamlers.  Same container ship seen from Aramoana now on its way. GC

Port Chalmers.  With the Pilot boat on its way for support.  GC

Waikouaiti.  Throughout our travels we have come across a number of grandstands of all sizes that are almost now derelict.  GC

Waikouaiti.  Boot hill looking for another geocache. GC

Waikouaiti.  Many of the trees that leaked sap were covered in butterflies and some wasps.

Waikouaiti.  A close up of the specie of butterfly that was in hundreds in the area.

Waikouaiti.  A little further north is a wetland called Flag Swamp and a geocache.  Where ever we went we were accompanied by Madeline who enjoyed the wild (scrumped) apples that we gave her.  GC

Half Way (almost).  Yes there was a geocache here.  It was worth a stop for a cuppa. GC

Temuka.  The symmetry of a pastoral scene.  GC

Temuka.  Is famous for it’s pottery.  Maybe even these on the old courthouse.

Temuka.  There was a geocache in the garden of trees of the world.  Autumn colour show off.  GC

Kaikoura.  A typical beach scene.  We stopped for lunch and a geocache. GC

Blenheim.  An old cottage.  Historic Cob Cottage is well worth a visit.  GC

Blenheim.  A modern cottage! GC

Blenheim.  A few more pics of autumn colours. GC

Blenheim.  The vineyards are sure a picture this time of year.

Lake Argyle.  Just added for a brag.  1.5 and 1.3kg brown trout caught on my own tied flies prepared for smoking – yum! GC

Tophouse.  On the road back to Nelson.  Early transport means. GC

Well that's it for this lot - next time then.........................