Walkabout

James has just started taking his first steps and today there was no stopping him. With a bit of help from his Mum and Grandma he walked up the hill in the Garden of Tane.

Bright Light

On special occasions the lights are turned on. The lights still work, and the lenses are turned by a clockwork mechanism powered by a large slowly falling weight. Every three hours the weight has to be lifted back to the top by turning a crank shaft by hand.

Inside

When I was a kid, I used to think being a lighthouse keeper would be a great job. Sadly they are all automated now and the new one at Akaroa is hardly bigger than a post box.

A Visit to the Lighthouse

On Sundays the old lighthouse is open to the public so we went for a look around. I used to love lighthouses as a kid. I remember the one at South Stack in Anglesey which we used to visit each year. The Akaroa lighthouse is a lot smaller but it was still fun to look around inside. The building is maintained by volunteers who are also excellent tour guides.

Dolphin

Today we took James on a boat ride round the harbour to see the dolphins. The hector's dolphin is the smallest in the world (about 1.5m long). We only saw one but James was very interested and called out 'li-li' each time it surfaced (a long story) and 'gone' each time it dived.

It was another lovely day but the wind was fierce out on the water and the sea was rough. James got quite seasick and threw up all over me! I will remind him of this when he is older.

Entrance to Akaroa Harbour

This is where the lighthouse used to stand, a beautiful spot but very windy.

Akaroa Lighthouse

From 1880, this lighthouse stood high up on the cliffs at the entrance to Akaroa harbour. 100 years later it was replaced by a far less romantic, automated version. The old lighthouse was dismantled and rebuilt on the shore side next to the township.

Bobbing Boats, Akaroa Harbour

We are spending a long weekend with my mum in Akaroa. The weather is perfect, warm and hardly a breath of wind. It's still winter so the usual crowds aren't here.

... Not!

Yep it's a red post. Just a red post. That's all folks. There is some tourist information explaining just why this deserves a tourist signpost but it wasn't very informative. As far as I could tell this post has historic significance simply because it has been here since the 19th century.

Oh well, Sarah seemed to like it. Perhaps it should be in the next Lonely Planet Guide. It could be a rival to the legendary toothbrush fence.

Interesting...

On the way back from Hanmer we spotted this tourist signpost. Red Post. What could this be, well we had to stop and have a look. And guess what?...

In Hot Water

Sarah was in town so we drove to Hanmer Springs for a dip in the thermal springs. James had a play in the cool pool and we took turns in the hot tubs. 43°C, lovely on a winters day.

The Sandman

Took James for a walk along the pier and watched the Sandman at work. He is a local celebrity who draws giant pictures in the sand at New Brighton beach. You may have seen him on Billy Connolly's world tour of New Zealand

I've Got A Trike

James got a trike for his birthday. Grandma took him for a ride round the botannic gardens.

Feeling Blue

This is the real reason we visited the Antarctic Centre, to see the little blue penguins. These are the smallest penguins in the world (40cm long) and are common in New Zealand. The ones at the centre have been rescued after suffering injuries in the wild. They are very cute.

Brrr

Took my mum to the International Antarctic Centre. They have installed a storm simulator in the polar room which lets you experience an icy blizzard. The chill factor is a nippy -18°C.

Big James's Truck

Is that muddy enough for you?

Cheers

The drive was worth it for the view. Rachael described it as the 'best bar in the world'.

Mud

Big James wanted to take his new 4WD for a proper test run so before dinner a few of us headed across the river and up high for a view down the valley. It was very muddy and I had to be pushed free at one point

A Youtube Moment

Belinda takes a tumble

Men In Trees

Lake Lillian was frozen over. While some of us had an improvised game of ice hockey, James got to get to grips with nature.

A Stroll Before Lunch

We are back at the Avoca Valley this weekend for some outdoor fun, and lots of food and wine. Before lunch we went for a walk to lake Lillian

Grandma

My mum is visiting for a few weeks. We took James for a walk in the Botannic Gardens. Grandma carried him in the backpack which is hard work, he weighs over 10kg now.

Doh!

Sarah has moved to the tiny village of Springfield to do a ski-instructors course. Springfield has one pub, two cafes and well, thats about it. But it does now have a giant donut with which to celebrate the Simpsons movie. This made the national news, must have been a slow news day.

Happy Birthday Son

James is 1 today! We had a party for friends and family with presents, jelly and cake! Tracy and I bought James a trike and Garry and Dougal got him a chainsaw. A real chainsaw... only in New Zealand. Don't worry it is safely hidden in the garage until he is a LOT older.

Moa Sculptures near Alford Forest

The moa became extinct about 500 years ago. At up to 4m high, they must have been an impressive sight. Unfortunately, they were very tasty too. Once humans had finished them off, it was also curtains for their main predator, the Haasts Eagle. With a 3m wingspan and feet as big as a tigers, they must have been a fearsome sight. Plenty of feathers and skeletons of both species exist so why can't we clone them?

Another Hoar Frost

Church

The church of the good shepherd overlooks Lake Tekapo and features on thousands of postcards and calendars. In summer it is surrounded by hoards of tourists but on this cold winter day it was quiet and the snow capped mountains made it very scenic.

Canal And The Ohau Range Near Twizel

It was another frosty morning as we drove back to Christchurch.