Anzac Weekend

A great opportunity to go away for a long weekend. Well.... Rozy and I was told to bring our tramping clothes, boots, some dress clothes and my togs....destination was a secret. Alan, Kaye, Rozy and I set off at 2pm Thursday. We picked up the extra 4x4 which was having a holiday at another farm. Meandered our way to Roxburgh for the night at the 'Roxburgh Lodge'. Very good place to stay - highly recommended.

Friday morning, very early start 8am!!! travelling to Alexandra where we left the car and trailer...taking the 4x4's to Macetown. Both Rozy and I had never been in there before. What great sights - absolutely magnificent. It is truely wonderful to get a little glimpse of what work went on back so many years ago. On the way back out we did a little tikky touring!!! Found some more rivers to cross and hills to climb.

Rozy had a great day with the highlight being that her and I nearly drowned the bike. Oops!!

After having a great day we staying the night in Queenstown. Having a spa, of course. Then went to the Arrowtown Festival the next. All in all a great weekend. Thanks to the great company.

Southland Sports

Members of Southland all belong to the Supreme Sports Club. Anything for an evening at the local School, followed by a supper. Thursday 17th April was a big event to celebrate. Sheri came home for the holidays along with Krystelle, Rozy, and Norman had birthday's in April. We met at McD's for tea followed by a game of indoor hockey and soccer, then desert at Rozy's to see photos of Normans trip to Japan.

Mikayla decided that she was old enough to join in for hockey as well, although the goalpost cone seemed to disappear.

Superb Southland Sunset

Living proof that Southland gets some great days as well as great sunsets.

Sandy Point

Every now and then, it is time for a bit of exercise. Sandy Point, just out from Invercargill towards Oreti beach is a great walking spot.

Even good for the fitness build-up before going on a tramp. The 50 odd stairs are very good for the heart rate.

Easter Holiday

Two weeks off work went very fast. Up the West Coast, which I had never been up before - what an eye-opener. I thought Invercargill was set back in time, well the West Coast is 10 years behind Invercargill. At Karamea, Kaye and I started on our four day tramp doing the Heapy Track. The first day was along the beautiful beach (you would have thought you were in Fiji) with all the Nikau Palms. At Heapy Hut we were joined by a group of Secondary School Children who were seconded by DOC to plant grasses and count the native snails. The second day was a gentle climb up to James McKay Hut where the Hut Warden took us on a sunset trek up a bank, under and over trees to see the sunset – AWESOME. He even gave us an Easter Egg. The third day – 25 kms was very hot walking along the plains. We got to Saxon Hut and had a quick dip in the -0 water… was invigorating. Had a little bit of helicopter excitement (won’t go into this). We carried on to Perry Saddle Hut, but it seemed a long long way especially the last half hour. At Perry Saddle there were only 5 off us in the Hut for the night – got a good sleep. The fourth day we walk the 910m down the hill to Brown Hut. Were a kind taxi driver delivered us to Bainham Store for Alan to pick us up.

Spent Easter weekend in Nelson going around the hold haunts were ancestors were brought up.

Visited Christchurch for three days, on the way to Mt Cook. Didn’t arrive at Mt Cook in time to climb to Mueller Hut, but on Friday the weather was opposite to forecasted so took a CLIMB!!! up to Sealy Tarn. Had a little mishap on the way back down, but got some beautiful photos.