APB

We left Picton on the ferry Awatere to enjoy another experience of gliding through the Marlborough Sounds. Its a journey one could repeat often, especially when the water is as quiet as it was for us. The sea breathed gently as we approached Wellington. Again we were spared a traditional kiwi experience on the Cook Strait ferry crossing, based on pictures we have seen of high winds and rough swells, and stories we have been told. Graci said it was very calm and comforting to have been able to be on a ship and not be so afraid that she denied herself the chance to experience it. Dear Christina and Bernard took us in again on absolutely no notice. Their warm hospitality and loving care was so very much valued. Graci feels a solid part of ... read more

Our last day in the south island, Anthony wanted to show the girls an interesting feature: a swing bridge over the Buller Gorge - and wanted us all to walk the bridge. Anthony and Paua both have challenges with heights, but Ant thought the occasion worth a few nervous moments. The bridge was a narrow steel grid, bordered by steel netting waist high on each side, suspended on cables in in an arc, and it bounced and wobbled as one crossed it. The bridge is only wide enough for one at a time, so people wait on opposite sides until the way is clear to cross, and then several will cross at the same time. This increases the bounce and sway. Paua found herself barely able to look down, and screwed up courage to do a ... read more

On slopes above the Lowburn Valley, north of Cromwell, is an unusual and fascinating home. It is filled with art, and the laughter of its owners, Sally and John. It was a wonderful place to stay. As we arrived, the angles and shapes in the house design stood out in stark relief in the hot late summer sun. Sally and John are enthusiastic about their art and they have some very wonderful pieces displayed, not the least of which is the house itself. The many corners and many roofs evoked the feel of a jumbled cluster of buildings. As the hillside on which it was nestled was dry and stoney, images of a Mediterranean village came to mind. The house is in two sections with a path (road) running through it. We were housed in the ... read more

When our planned stint with the owners of the earth house didn't work out, we called another location in the area, the Vat-T-Can, and the owner Christine agreed that we could come. First, we explored Oamaru a little. There’s lots of history in Oamaru. We were very close to the 45th parallel, the same latitude as the part of Vermont that we had been living in before the NZ trip. There was time for pictures outside the café/tavern opposite the railway station. Behind the 1901 railway station was a section of ground where there were piles of rusty wheels and bits of boiler where once rail wagons were marshaled in number. Some old these retired wagons and engines had been used as parts of the sea wall that protected the railway yard. Lunch was had in ... read more

To get to Akaroa, we first had to reach Christchurch, the South Island’s biggest city. Beyond Christchurch is Banks Peninsula. This rocky peninsula is the remains of a couple of volcanoes that were active in millennia past when NZ was formed. Both volcanic craters are now natural harbours, and Akaroa is the second of these. The road out from Christchurch follows Lake Grassmere for a while, then ascends the ancient lava folds, winding up and around, then down through hair-pin bends, and up again. Akaroa is reached after over 50 miles of this often narrow and winding road. Priscilla’s place is in Wainui, high up a twisting gravel road. And it was a “road” not to be imagined… One extremely steep hill, a one lane track that appeared little more than a footpath wide, yet two ... read more