Things have changed a little now too. I'm writing this from my desk in a large and rather chilly office in Christchurch. My funds dried up and so too my enthusiasm for fruit picking so I've gone and got myself a responsible job with a Kiwi firm called Aqualinc. I am now working as a Resource Management Consultant, currently in an office but come bitter winter I'll be trudging around grassy pastures carrying out pump tests on giant irrigation wells, can you imagine how excited I'm feeling?! It's very hydro based, lots of irrigation and farming. I fell into this job by accident really and then couldn't find a good enough reason not to be finally earning a wage that I can actually survive on, and 'gasp' possibly save. It's not too bad, nice people, no stress and Christchurch isn't too bad either. Very English in some respects, Christchurch that is. I've not been tempted to go punting on the Avon yet but have been to the lovely Arts Centre which has a sumptious cinema! Which reminds me, anyone seen the new and beautiful film by Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) called The Namesake, just brilliant.
It's pretty wet and cold here in Christchurch at the moment, autumn is in full swing, reminds me a bit of the fens in the autumn (flat, lead grey skies, icy winds and relentless drissle). It's a complete turnaround after the cracking weather I had in Mt Cook village, only a week ago. I can't believe I was sitting in the kitchen of the Mueller Alpine Hut watching the sun set over Mt Cook and the Southern Alps whilst listening to the inermittent thunder of small avalanches from the glaciers on Mt Sefton, now I'm sitting in a luke warm, souless office looking out on a rain drenched carpark.
So, enough chatter, down to business. Some of the photos are a little dark so appologies and there are so many more I'd like to have included, but I need more time to sift through the pile.
A pretty hideous shot of me on Conical Hill, above the Harris Saddle on the Routeburn Track. No idea why this got in but I'll take the opportunity to point out the rather excellent Kiwi hiking style that I am fashioning. Shorts over thermals are the way to go (the stripier the better), heck, if you're a true kiwi thermals aren't required, and boys, the tighter and smaller your stubbies (that's sort shorts and infact bottles of beer???) the better (for whom I'm not sure).
On the Routeburn and in Fiordland, this is a view of Mackenzie Lake and on the far left, the Mackenzie Hut, all surrounded by moss covered Beech rainforest. I stayed here on the second night of the walk, it's one of the most beautiful spots I've stayed in.
A view along the Hollyford Valley all the way out to the remote Martins Bay. A view on day 3 of the Routeburn Track.
A stormy morning in the Catlins. Chill sou-wester squalls rushing in from the ocean. It hailed on and off for a day so we stayed inside and admired this view from our hilltop backpackers. It was, at the time, a refreshing break from the sun.
Slope Point in the Catlins. Me in my georgous pea green pac-a-mac, holding tight in the gales sweeping the coast.
I look at this and can't quite believe how good the light was. Milford Sound and the most photographed mountain in New Zealand, Mitre Peak. Once again, and rare for Fiordland, fantastic weather.
Cate and I went Kayaking in Milford avoiding the cruise ships chugging out of Milford port. The water is a murky black but the reflections on the surface are beautiful.
Tourist destination no.1. Emma, Ellie, Cate and Alan above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
A view from the summit of Mt Roy, Wanaka. Mt Aspiring on the far distant horizon.
Puzzling World, yes she really is that small!
Ice climbing on Fox glacier. Fantastic.
View from Fox glacier. We also climbed in the crevasse with the blue ice.
Victor, Cate and Wayne sampling Monteiths ales at the brewery in Greymouth. Guess that one wasn't too tasty!
Cate and Wayne dance at sunset on Rabbit Island.
Sea Kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park.
