Mud, Glorious Mud!

 

In Deep Water

That's yours truly driving my motor through the mud pools on the far side of the river. I have never seen them that deep and I was worried that I might get some water in my engine. Dougal advised me to take it slowly which was surprisingly sensible for him. Anyway I made it to the other side OK.

Total Gridlock

 

Just Checking...

Steve adopts a more cautious approach to testing the water depth.

Surfin'

 

A Big Splash

Stuart tests the depth of the water. 

Dougal and Marree at the Car Wash

Messing About on the River

Just before tea a few of us went for a drive across the river. The Avoca is a 'braided river'. These are common in the south island. The river splits into many streams as it runs over a wide river bed. Getting from one side to the other involves crossing many braids, some are just streams and some are deep and wide.

We have had a lot of rain in Canterbury and I have never seen the river so high and wild. It was a white knuckle ride and my heart was pounding a couple of times. I didn't want to have to tell Tracy that I had drowned the car!

The Avoca and Harper Rivers

This great view of the valley is from high up on the walk to Lake Lillian. 

A Short Stroll

I have walked up to Lake Lillian many times but never get sick of the view. 

The Avoca Valley

'The Retreat' is an old wooden house run by the owners of Glenthorne Station. It sleeps over 20 people and is situated in the bunch of trees at the bottom of the valley. (see picture).

There is no electricity but there is gas for lighting, cooking and hot water and a log burner for heat.

Its a great place to get away from it all and de-stress. About the only downside are the swarms of sandflies that pounce as soon as you step outside. 

Glenthorne Station

Glenthorne Station in the distance, in the foreground the Harper river empties into Lake Coleridge. In the evening light it was quite a sight. 

The Harper Valley

The view up the Harper valley. We stayed further up the valley where the Avoca river joins the Harper. Access is by four wheel drive only or a long walk. 

Lake Georgina

Tracy was good enough to let me go away for the weekend while she looks after James.

I spent the weekend with friends at the Avoca valley. It's one of our favourite spots and is just a couple of hours from chch. For a change we went in summer so I got to enjoy the very scenic drive. 

James and Elmo

Elmo was a present from his Aunt Sarah. I am going away for the weekend so I got up early and spent a couple of hours with James.

Party

Sian and Richard had a wedding blessing. James behaved himself all through the service and the party afterwards. 

Yummy

Just like dad, James is good at putting his foot in his mouth. 

Kiwis Vs Lions

New Zealand Vs Great Britain, what a dilemma! After 4 years and with a Kiwi for a son, I finally had to cheer for my adopted country over the motherland. Good thing too as the final score was NZ18 - 14 GB.

Rugby Union is the national religion here, especially in Canterbury so we don't get many rugby league games here. Despite this, the atmosphere was great - better than watching the Crusaders! 

Bungy Jumping

 

Mr Bear Returns

For those who don't know, Mr Bear lives at Joy and Garry's florist shop (Joyflora). A few days ago he was stolen in broad daylight in a crime that has rocked the nation, well a few of us anyway. The good news is that the police took a few hours off from dealing out traffic tickets and found the missing fella!

What's up Partner?

Taken at Dan and Islay's house warming. All the women cooed over James and Garry and I enjoyed a couple of cold speights or three. 

BOO!

 

Be vewwy, vewwy quiet...I'm hunting wabbits!

It's Elmer Fudd!

Dougal bought James a Duck hunters Hat. It's a bit big for him at the moment. I am worried because he says as soon as it fits him he's getting a shotgun to go with it!

Otira Viaduct

A few ks north of Arthurs Pass is the Otira gorge. The road through here used to be quite scary and often got wiped out by land slides. It used to cross the large scree slope on the right and then descend to the valley floor by a series of zig-zags. I first travelled along it by bus and it was like the final scene from the Italian job.

Now there is a nice new viaduct with a gradient (downhill as you look at this picture) of 1:7. The drive is one of the most spectacular in New Zealand. 

A Big Yawn

We drove to Arthur's Pass for lunch. This quiet little village is high up in the southern alps. James slept the whole way.