Australasian crested grebe/kāmana

We saw this grebe nesting on the shore of Lake Lyndon. 

Fishing with Mum

James had a go with Mum. Although we didn't catch anything it was a nice day out. 

Lake Hawdon

Big James is a keen fisherman but there was nothing biting today. 

Fishing Trip

Today we are going for fishing up in the Canterbury high country near Cass. 

A & P Show

This is the view of the show grounds from the top of a ferris wheel. 

Bungee Jumper

There were loads of rides for the kids. James had great fun on the Bungy trampolines. 

Race

Actually the drunk guy in the sombrero is actually a Canadian lumberjack who holds the world record for pole climbing. He also has the unlikely but awesome name of Stirling Hart.

He and a Kiwi lumberjack had a race to the top. It was like watching a squirrel climb a tree. The Canadian won easily, He climbed to the top and dropped back down in 13 seconds. The poor Kiwi wasn't even half way up at that point. 

Pole Dancing

At the top (60 ft high) he cracked open a tinny and swayed around on the top and then dropped all of his climbing equipment. Then while goofing around he fell off and everyone gasped as he slid to safety tied to one of the guy ropes.

James thought it was brilliant. He laughed non stop.  

I'm a Lumberjack...

Another highlight was the pole climbing contest. This guy did a great act by staggering around pretending to be a drunk tourist. Then after being kicked out he sneaked back and started to climb the pole while the officials tried to talk him down.

Bullocks!

Shearing

Next we watched a sheap shearing test between New Zealand and Australia. It was taken very seriously by all involved. First we all had to stand while the Australian and then the New Zealand national anthem were sung. Next the four contestants (2 Kiwis, 2 Aussies) got down to business using manual cutters, no powered clippers here.

The officials were all in shirts and ties, electronic timers and scoreboards were used and a commentator kept us informed about the 'action'.

In the end the two kiwis won by a mile and the last  poor sheep that got sheared by the second Aussie was covered in nicks from his sloppy work! 

More Chopping

I could have watched this all day. 

Careful With That Axe...

I talked to a few of the competitors who let me hold one of the axes. They were polished shining steel with razor sharp edges. Not a bit like my cheapo axes from the warehouse. 

Wood Chopping

This was the highlight of the day for me. I never thought watching people chop wood could be so entertaining bit it was brilliant. This old guy looked must have been in his 60s (at least) but he couldn't half swing an axe. 

Drag Racing Tractors

Only in New Zealand.

These hot rod modded tractors have 1000 hp engines and drag giant concrete weights behind them as they race each other. The noise is incredible.

Tractor

This week is show week in Canterbury and for the first time ever I decided to visit the A and P show. I never thought it would be my kind of thing but I had a great time.

James loves tractors and there were hundreds of them. 

Halloween

James and I made a Jack 'o' lantern. This is the first one I ever made with a pumpkin and it was much trickier than I expected. When I was a boy my Dad always made them using a turnip.

With the lights out and a candle inside it looked pretty good.

Whitebaiting

Despite the cold wind, there were a few dedicated fishermen including these whitebaiters who walked slowly through chest deep waters for a handful of fish.

Cloudy Bay

In the afternoon we drove out to the mouth of the Wairau River in Cloudy Bay. It was a wild windy day. 

Hurricane

Today we visited the Omaka aircraft museum near Blenheim. This is a great collection of aircraft from WWI with the exhibits arranged in lifelike dioramas.

Outside are a couple of aircraft from WWII including this RAF hurricane. Peter Jackson is a collector of vintage aircraft and is heavily involved in running this museum.

The rumour is that eventually the museum will expand with a new hangar to house WWII aircraft. the centrepiece will be a full sized replica Lancaster bomber that has been made for the Dambusters remake.  

Hangin' Out

A great afternoon was had by all. 

Hammock

The lovely gardens behind the lodge are full of hammocks!. James liked playing in this king sized one with his Mum and me. 

Tame Pukeko

This pukeko was quite tame and ate grass from our hands. He did give James a little nip though.

Lochmara Lodge

Tracy shows James how to use the tyre swing. 

Another Boat Trip

Today we took a boat trip over to Lochmara Lodge for an explore and a spot of lunch.