Time to move on today but before we do there is just one more walk track for us to knock off. Jude has kept reminding me since we’ve been in Tekapo, that she wouldn’t mind climbing Mt John, knowing when she says “I wouldn’t mind”… it means we’re going to lol. The morning was -2 when we woke but a nice warm Moho and a hot breakfast completed, we headed off to the start of the track. I looked at the sign that said an hour to the top… that’s cool as I am confident that we can do it in half the states time.Read More →

Braemar Road: – by Jude Getting my trusty map book out I browse for places to go, spot Braemar Road.. Tekapo to Pukaki which cuts behind Old Man Range and across barren country or where the military play games, open tussock country great for playing hide’n’seek! Lots of dire warnings do not enter as live munitions could be being fired, not that I would… we did see army vehicles in the far distance trundling into the rolling hills. The gravel road pops out two thirds the way up Lake Pukaki eastern shoreline, some well run stations enroute Tasman Downs and Braemar Station. We continue toRead More →

Te Anau is now a behind us as we head to Twizel, the sun is out, the day is perfect for travelling and it is good to be back on the road. Lunch was at Kingston at the southern end of Lake Wakatipu, the day as said was beautiful and we found a lovely spot for a sandwich and coffee. Caught up with Jude’s sister Jill at Bannockburn on the way through, as brief as it was it was good to see her. We arrived at Twizel at 1800hrs, it was still sunny and very warm. We stayed the night at the Combined Services ClubRead More →

(above photo: The imposter cat) As we approach the end of our time in Te Anau, we look forward to the rush of the next few months building up to Christmas… it’s going to be hectic. Sunday 30th September is the day our friends return from their Rarotonga holiday and the end of our house sit for them. Have to admit that we now know that some cats can be strange and unpredictable. Our friends having faith in us to look after their pets is a compliment… but sometimes things just don’t go to plan. Two furry cuties called Flea and Ginny were the catsRead More →

Isn’t it amazing how a brief encounter with a person can end up with a moment of regret and sadness. With Jude and I doing a house sit in Te Anau for a month which started on the 4th September, we were going to be here during the All Blacks two home test matches. Deciding that we should find a little bit of atmosphere to watch the game so we would watch the game at the Te Anau Club. The First game being against the Argentinians was being shown and we arrived in time to grab a beer and bar table. The place was notRead More →

Fantastic weather in Te Anau today and of course with great weather comes the urge to feel energetic. Up early this morning and of toward Milford Sound… well at least until we reached the Divide anyway. With our day-packs loaded with nibbles and lunch Jude and I did a short sharp climb up to Key Summit. It was interesting on the way in from Te Anau, the sides of the roads were littered with fallen trees and branches that the last snow brought down, the weight obviously too much for the trees to hold. Arriving at the Divide it was slightly cool but we knewRead More →