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In: Hiking, Location, Photography, Shane's Posts

Wow what a big day 19km tramp up Mt Arthur, 8.8km up, 8.8km down plus 1.4km returning because numb skull forgot to turn off the vehicle lights and had to return and turn them off. Yep it’s only 8.8 km to the summit but boy are the climbs long and steep. The first 4km to Mt Arthur Hut is not too bad as it climbs steadily to 1300mtrs. Once past the Mt Arthur Hut the wind blew over the ridges constantly lifting the cloud up and over the ridges amplifying the cool temps at altitude, the track narrows and starts getting into the long steepRead More →

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In: Biking, Location, Shane's Posts

15th December has arrived so quickly, we have settled into our house sit. Jude decides that we need to have a day out of Motueka and a change from our regular MTB ride to Rewaka’s Ginger Box for our daily coffee, a round trip of 25 km. She had been looking at some rides in a cycling tracks book she found at our house sit and thought the Flora Track would be a good change…. marked as “easy” she seemed pretty happy to leave the eBike batteries at home for this one…. I say nothing. Well I’m no stranger to Jude and her desires toRead More →

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In: Biking, Location, Motorhome, Shane's Posts

Leaving Balmoral we head to Waiau to travel the inland route to Kaikoura. The pass through to Kaikoura was windy, hilly still showing signs of damage from the Kaikoura earthquake of 2016. Overall a pleasant trip through the gorge and one of the many routes we had not taken until now. Arriving at Kaikoura it was warm and we spent two lovely days walking the town looking at the galleries before deciding it was time to move on. While at the NZMCA park we met John and Barbara Kerse, a lovely couple from Rangiora and now keep in touch with them via social media. LookingRead More →

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In: 4WD, Jude's Post, Location, Photography

The dawns warm and breezy but cloudy, today we go up to Lake Coleridge, sealed road to the village, makes a change from the gravel road and dust. The village is on the banks of the Rakaia River alongside the historic Lake Coleridge Power station, 165m below Lake Coleridge. It was built between 1911-1914. The village is surrounded by mature trees, an arboretum created by Harry Hart, the first tree planted in 1933, with more than 200 plant and tree specimens. We wander through to the cemetry amongst the old man pines once again history is told in the headstones. We leave the village andRead More →

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In: General, Jude's Post, KimnTom, Location

First Wildlife Encounter This Post is the final post from our Canadian adventure and covers the rest of our road trip. Thanks to Jude whom has done a great Job with hours of writing from her countless notes. Osoyoos now visited and enjoyed for a couple of days it’s off east again with our destination Christina Lake camp ground called Texus Creek. The long and winding roads and highways passed through little settlements Johnston Creek, Rock Creek, Midway, Greenwood, Grand Forks where the highway starts to follow the Kettle River towards Christina Lake. Jude’s driving for the first time and she did surprisingly very well….Read More →

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In: Jude's Post, Location

The Strata Club… no I’m not talking about Canada but Auckland Airports Strata Club, this was our first stop after flying in from Gisborne. This club is sort of like Koru Lounge but is pay as you use rather than a massive $600 a year as Koru Club requires. We had a 4 hour wait at Auckland before our thirteen hour flight to Canada. It was total bliss having a relaxing chilling out environment to relax in style with complementary drinks and food thrown in, showers and all. Well enjoyed Strata,money well spent, but it was time to catchup with Dave and Ruth whom wereRead More →