Dear Carole,
I have really enjoyed your blog even though it makes me crazy with envy. I can just hear your voice when I am reading them. I am learning a lot about New Zealand and what you haven’t patiently explained, I look up on Wikipedia (like ops shops). I sounds as if it has been a wonderful trip.
Margret
Greetings from Ottawa Hi Carole!
I was just cruising around the web and came across your blog of your trip to New Zealand - it sounds amazing! Certainly a bit different weather than here (or your home). Love the photos, hi to Jim & your family. Take Care!
Steve
Missing You Sat. Jan. 8 (At the kitchen table gazing out at the sunny winter wonderland and sparrows at the bird feeder - 16 degrees.)
What a super time you are having! You are having experiences that many Kiwis have not. Did you have a great Christmas with the girls? Is New Years a big deal in NZ? Hopefully you have missed the effects of earthquakes in the east and the torrential rains in Oz that Queenslanders have been dealing with lately. Carole, you are a wonderful writer! I've completely changed my mind about revisiting NZ now I've read about your experiences and seen the great photos. We have obviously missed lots! Of course we would need Carole to be organizer and diarist and Jim as chef, fisher, forager and trekking guide! I hope your energy level isn't flagging. We're both missing you and look forward to visits after you return! Tonight is Ken's retirement party at the old firehall, should be a hoot! I'm helping Cathy, Ellen et al to decorate the hall with a tropical theme. Take care, love Gail. P.S. I gave your blog address to Joan T. and Gail Mc.
Wow! Beautiful or what -- looks like a wonderful time
Just figured out how to comment (after your email saying that I in fact could) I thought that we were not supposed to for some reason.
Take care you guys and have a wonderful time
Keith
The blue flower in pic 6 photo 6 is the NZ native solanum; S. laciniatum.. commonly called poroporo. yes it's pretty but often pulled out as a weed in gardens.
Lovely description and pics - I will link to Fb group The Catlins New Zealand - if that is OK with you!
You are "packing" it in Hello Carole and Jim,
We look forward to each installment of your blog as we might a special letter. Your photos and descriptions transport us ... on top of that, using Google Earth, I am able to track your tracks and get down to the places you are seeing from ground level. Looking forward to your next observations.
We hosted New Years dinner and had a great group over to celebrate yet another year ... and the start of another decade. We are still amazed at how time marches on.
Hope all continues to go well and by my reckoning ... you've got at least three more hubcap losses covered from your cache. If you don't use them all, one has to be brought home as a special souvenir of your road trip.
All the best
Bil and Gail
Keep em coming Thanks for continuing to share your trip. I have a friend who lived in Dunedin for a year and had comments about the weather rather like yours.
Happy travels ,
Kate
Merry Christmas Rachael, Emily, Carol and Jim!!!
We are thinking of you as we spend our day together. Todd is the only one not able to be here but we have talked to him by phone already. (He is working) Santa found us and lightened his load considerably before moving on.
Travel safe,
Ivan, Karen & family
Merry Christmas Hello Carole!
Loved getting your Christmas photos and letter. I plan to read through the blog while I am off this week. I sent your card to Whitehorse and Susan's is still here- I look at all of her addresses every yr in puzzlement as to which is current! Give Susan a hug for me- and she can give you one for me!! We have a house full with 8 for Christmas. Lots of stories of life at University. Looks like you are having a very coll adventure. All the best to you all in 2011.
Love, Tracie, Mike & kids
As green as your surroundings Hello Carole and Jim,
Yes... our colour is green with envy as well travel vicariously through your blogs. The blog site you chose seems to be very friendly as far as setting it up and including photos. What restrictions?
You trekking/walking/meandering a la NZ seems as civilized as I remember. NZ has done a superior job of accomodating the walker and making the experience throughout NZ both accessible and memorable. The way you are doing it by using trekker hostels is a great way to hike. And yes Carole...you will definitely return with a different standard as far as hiking a la Yukon etc.
You've mentioned meeting different folks in your travels.. doesn't that add to the fun of being sort of off the beaten path.
I see Emily in your photos ..how long will she be able to stick with you? The fire juggling did look cool. One of my students is a busker of renown .... she juggles fire batons etc. Jim may remember Noli Eastmure who, incidentally, just was hired to take over Sean's gr.2 class as he moved into Laurie's vp position.
Life here continues to be about staying warm ... great excuse to hunker down with a hot toddy, a book, good music and the ahhhhh of vegging! Carole... I do like the way you composed a number of palm photos .. great impression.
So... keep feeding the wekas... and keep your eyes and ears open for those sharp tusked piggies. Those bottom jaws hanging were quiite impressive.
Take care .. and Merry Christmas
Gail and Bil
NZ is so well organized on the big trekking areas. I loved having my bags carried too. YOu all seem to be having a grand time. so pleased. I think Rachel has joined you by now. I like all the pictures and following your story line with all the interesting little bits.
Caught up .. mostly Hello Carol (author) and Jim (photographer etc).,
Thanks to your sending the link to your travel blog, I've caught up on most of your exploits up to Blog #11. I couldn't find #1, #2 or #4 blogs.
This approach to chronicling is super!! Great photos and informative descriptions to accompany. Way to go. I'm seriously thinking of pulling the plug at YC and getting passage to Oceana ..in particular- NZ. Your having a vehicle is so sensible and gives you such versatility. Keep them coming .. as you write.... I keep track on Google Earth. Ya gotta love technology!
We're in travel awe!! Hello Jim, Carol and Emily: We have been following your travels on and off. I just finished viewing your last 4 blogs and I am extremely envious at this moment. All is well here in Red Deer but we don't have shorts and t-shirt weather. Thanks for keeping up the great blogs, it is so interesting to hear from someone you know as they explore far-away places.
Ivan & Karen
What a beautiful trip. Here it is -25 this morn. and snow tomorrow.
On Sun. will be a joint Angli-Luth. evening service. Lots of work for Rev. M.
He has 4 readers from TLC. Went to joint choir practice:1 Luth and 4 Ang.
Looking forward to next blog. ST
I thought of Granddad when I saw the photo too. You are doing a great job with your blog. The photos are just amazing. I keep adding to my list of places I want to see. Suzanne
Looks like fun Those bikes sure look entertaining, followed by coffee and hot-tubs on the beach. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time - and probably aren't missing the endless Yukon snowfall. It's fin reading your blog and living vicariously through your adventures!
great photos! more fantastic photos! When I got to the one of the gentleman sitting outside the camper van I couldn't believe how much it looked like Grandad (at least when I was viewing on my phone). I'm loving Emily's hair too!! Jen
Hot Bots! Yes the pics look like you are having fun in the hot water but I also liked the flying bicycles.
The fords and stone walls and left hand driving are all very familiar to me but it's the birds and the flowers and NZ history that will bring us to the islands one day.
Thanks for your insight and it's fun to keep in touch this way.
It's -25C in Riverdale so it could be colder higher up.
I'm off to collect Stuart from the airport for a 12:30 (midnight) arrival and you have kept me well entertained. Love Kate
Lovely rounded hills Hi Carole, Jim and Emily,
I like your hair style Emily:suits you!
Yes all that walking. You must be getting fit by now. The style of camping sounds so simple and easy. I get your point about being lucky you are early in the tourist season. One can only imagine the possible crowds.
Still catching up to you Wow the water always looks so good from landlocked Yukon. Did you take your own wetsuits? I love the pictures of you guys on the tall ship.
Sister
non-member comment
Five!
I see five seals. I too am behind on your blog. Are you home yet?!