Easy Way Down

Skiing along the ridge at the top was great. The slope is gentle so there was plenty of time to check out the views as I glided along.

Avoca Valley from Porter Heights

The weather was great and the view from the top was superb. I could see right down into the Avoca Valley which is one of my favourite places and somewhere we have had many great holidays. The hut we stay at is located at the bottom of the conical hill in the centre of the picture. 

Work Trip

Today I went skiing at Porter Heights with some of my workmates from Tait Electronics. 

Home

After a week away it was good to be coming home. This is the view of the Southern Alps from the plane as I travelled back to Chch. 

Lunch with Mum

I am spending a week in the UK with my Mum. Sarah and I took her for lunch today. We went to a Beefeater and I had gammon steak with fried eggs, chips and pineapple rings. Retro and delicious. 

Kea

At Death's Corner I got this photo of a couple of young kea. 

View from the lookout.

The last time we were here, it was pouring with rain and James was just a baby sleeping in my backpack. 

Devil's Punchbowl

Today we had a drive out to the mountains and did the short walk to the Devil's Punchbowl waterfall. James is old enough to walk a few kms now and he seems to enjoy it.

Fern Garden

And here they are in our fern garden. 

Neat

Here they are in the back garden. They should help keep the weeds down and they look great especially when it rains. 

Unloading

Filling the trailer was hard work. Now we have to unload them. Luckily the two James's were on hand to help. 

Pebbles

I've borrowed Dougal's trailer to transport the pebbles back home.

Collecting Stones

We need stones for our garden and this is a great place to get them. 

Beach

This is Birdlings Flat, a lovely stony beach. The sea is very rough so no swimming but it is a great place to sit and watch the waves.  

Happy Birthday Tracy

It was a great party. Thanks to all that came and all that helped.

Chef

Pete did a great job as chef. It took about 5 hours to roast but the meat was very tender and delicious. 

Get in There

Today we are having a 40th birthday party for Tracy. We are spit roasting a lamb on the biggest barbecue. I have seen. 

James, Erin & Dougal

The Pinnacles

The cliffs are very similar to the clay cliffs at Omarama. 

Harper Valley

Today we took a drive out across the Avoca river and up the Harper valley. I have wanted to have a look up here for a while. There are some clay cliff formations known as the Pinnacles which I wanted to see. 

Fire

We got a good fire going in the evening. 

Crikey

New Zealand's answer to Steve Irwin. No crocs here so we told the kids he was looking for Gruffalos. 

Chainsaw

Dougal got James got a chainsaw for xmas. Thankfully this time it was just a toy one. It's a Husqvarna and looks and sounds like the real deal. James had fun trying to chop this tree down with it, then I chopped it down with a real chainsaw. 

Back to the Farmhouse

Summer is not summer without a trip to the Avoca. James is very excited about it all. 

Happy New Year!