[Sunday 14 Oct] We decide to explore the northern reaches of the Fairlie Basin, we head to Monument Corner, appropriately named in the middle of the road a monument dedicated to servicemen from the area whom died in the Wars, it is a roundabout on a country road. From there we continue on the Lochaber Road climbing up to the Meikleburn Saddle between the High Clayton’s and Four Peaks Range opens up into beautiful valley with the Orari River making its way east. Big well run stations, we continue up as far as we can go approx 26 km, stunning area surrounded by river valleysRead More →

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 →

[Sunday 7th Oct.] The day was perfect, clear sunny sky, no wind, views sublime, what better to do than attack a section of Alps 2 Ocean bike trail. As we were parked up at Lake Ohau just below Ohau Lodge, lets do the uphill to highest point…. geared up and off we go on a well formed track along the Ohau Range gradually climbing not too strenuous a gentle breeze kept us cool, crossing streams tumbling down from the range passing through small remnants of beech forest ever increasing our altitude. The views were stunning looking right up the head of Lake Ohau up theRead 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 →