Blogs from Wanganui, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 7

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Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui January 31st 2008

We're on the road again, this time stopping over at Wanganui. We've opted for a stay at Wanganui River Top 10 campsite, which is right on the banks of the river, about 6 km from town. We arrived yesterday afternoon, and ventured into the city centre late afternoon for a bite to eat. Steve's made friends with Billy, a goat that lives here, by virtue of a running tether, on the campsite by the river. After a showdown of horns, Steve won Billy over with the skill of a horseman, and Billy will now gladly let Steve scratch the back of his head. They've formed a special bond and I think Steve's plotting some kind of trade-in. Steve's also been training the ducks to jump up onto the van step for bread. One young duck eventually ... read more
The Goat Whisperer
Who's Boss?
Confession

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui » Wanganui January 25th 2008

Ya hace un poco mas de un mes que estamos de vuelta en nuestra querida Argentina "readaptandonos". El regreso fue complicado pero deseado. Nos esperaban en casa de mis padres TOOOOODA la familia y amigos con una pata asada, fernet y melón!!!!!!!! Menos más que los vuelos sólo se retrasaron algunas horas (y no un dia) y no nos perdimos ni los invitados ni la rica comida. Pero volviendo a nuestro ESPECTACULAR viaje por Nueva Zelanda.... En esta entrada comienza nuestro viaje al sur, a la ISLA DEL SUR. Alquilamos un auto y Russ y Steph nos prestaron carpa, colchon inflable, mesa y sillas, cocina de campamento y heladerita para que viajaramos cómodos. ¡Gracias Russ y Steph! Partimos el Viernes 25 de Enero con rumbo a Wellington donde tomariamos el ferry que nos cruzaria a ... read more
Nuestro auto por 34 dias
Paisajes
whangaunui

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui » Wanganui January 4th 2008

Day 68 (cont.): Wanganui After a couple of hours driving along the Forgotten World Highway, stopping at the towns and cities to pick up and drop off those who lived in the towns that time forgot in the backwoods of Taranaki, the Intercity minibus pulling it's trailer of luggage, finally stopped in Wanganui. From the bus stop, it was a half hour walk through the pleasant town centre to get to my hostel, a large converted house overlooking the river. With enough provisions to whip up some delicious and tasty instant-noodle sandwiches (don't knock it 'til you've tried it), I didn't have any need to leave the building again, and spent a quiet evening in the very pretty garden at the back, enjoying the peace and quiet. Day 69: Messing about on the river Today was ... read more
Travelling the River Road
One of the more unusual mail boxes
An antiquated method of crossing the river

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui November 9th 2007

As I went to sleep, I could see storm clouds brewing over the mountains and yet, I slept soundly all night. Not a peep from me or the clouds. I awoke to a clear blue sky and, having eaten breakfast, opted for a brisk walk along the beach. Waitarere seemed to comprise maybe a dozen houses, and it appeared that all the occupants were on the beach that morning. I counted 5 of them! And so it was that I headed south along the beach in the fresh morning sunshine. The beach stretched for miles in each direction, in a dead straight line. How a sailing ship could be wrecked on such a beach is a little beyond me, but wrecked she was. The Hydrabad ran aground in 1879 and, because it couldn’t be salvaged, was ... read more
The Hydrabad
Foxton
Wangahui

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui » Wanganui October 27th 2007

Wangauni has been an amazing place to see and experiance. Even getting the last possible chance to take the day skiing on whakapapa (phonetically colourful, wh's are pronounced f's!) was fantastic. Unfortunatly I learned that my back is possibly similar to that of 900 year old Yoda, the difference being that I seem to lack the force needed for some smooth runs. An old injury returning with enough kick to remind me that indeed, my powers are weak, old man. This has resulted in me having to be very dsciplined to spend an hour each morning doing the excersizes that I should have been doing for the last 6 months. The joys of that for the next 6 months! Video links: Windy wanganui Katie Broon frae Scolan! At my time with the Chronical artists I was ... read more
Karren Ellet
My paper weight
Ella at the Botanics

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui » Wanganui October 23rd 2007

This is one of the most wonderful studio workshops I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. Web link: Chronical Glass Katie Brown, Lyndsay Patterson and Karren Ellet are three highly talented and internationally acclaimed glass artists that run the Chronicle glass studios. Craig and Amanda took me by the studios to meet their friend Katie and have a nosey at the workshop. I was in awe immediatly. At the top there is a veiwing platform that the public can walk in and watch them art work from. At the top there is a gallery wjhere you can buy work from all of the artists that are associated with Chronicle Glass. And there are some really talented people here folks. Upon enquiring and being rather nosey, due to my somewhat restrained enthusiasm so I didnt look ... read more
Work in progress I
Work in progress II
Work in progress III

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui » Wanganui October 23rd 2007

I used to share a studio with Craig Winton in Edinburgh for a few years. He moved back out to His home in Wanganui a year ago with Amanda and their two Girls, Ella and Ruby. Upon making contact from Auckland I was kinda ordered down to see them both. So, booked the bus and made my way... 8 hours in and there was the familar face of my old friend waiting to pick me up. Craig and Amanda have a wonderful location in an equally wonderful place, and I was welcomed into a very artisitic community with open arms pretty instantly. Craigs place is set on the hill above Wanganui and has a fantastic view, or so he kept telling me, every day. For it seems if I wanted to come to NZ for the ... read more
The view
Amanda and Anna

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui June 10th 2007

Well the car was pink, very very pink but came at a bargain basement price so we weren´t complaining (well not too much). At least it attracted a smile wherever it went especially with us two driving. To make it feel somewhat masculine we christened it Cleatus - the least feminine name we could think of. After picking up a trolley of supplies (And Ciaran figured out how to drive an automatic) we hit the road to Ohakune. We reached Ohakune in the lashing rain at about 4pm and got settled into our hostel. Ohakune is located at the southern end of the Tongariro National Park, close to the southwestern slopes of the active volcano Mount Ruapehu (more famusly known as one of the mountains used to portray Mount Doom in Lord of The Rings). It ... read more
Loading Up The Car
Large Wetas In The Cave
View From Piriaka Lookout

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui April 25th 2007

Now where were we..? Oh, yes...t'was the day after the Sevens and the boys were on a road trip or should I say a river trip. We were heading up north to canoe down the Whanganui River. After rehydrating and generally getting in shapes for the journey, we stocked up on supplies and began the 5 hour drive. I took McLellan (aka Radar as per last blog) in our Golf and Morrison (aka Padre) and Johnston (Klinger) hooned it up the road in the Padre's Audi - German cars to the fore and we were in the urban sprawl of National Park in no time. NP is actually more of a small gathering of hotels/hostels, bars and a few houses about a half hour drive from the Whakapapa ski fields on the north eastern slopes ... read more
Team photo before the big trip
Morrison & Johnston set the early pace
A well earned ginger beer break

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui February 2nd 2007

I don’t know if it was because we were in Lord of the Rings country and a fellowship seemed appropriate, or whether it is just a remnant of vet university that requires a large group for an outing, but there were 10 of us that eventually set off. A complicated ‘friend of a friend of a friend…’ type of arrangement connected us all together. Our destination - the Whanganui River. One of New Zealand’s so called nine ‘Great Walks’ - ironically the only one you can do sitting down, as a 3 day canoeing trip. The aim of the trip was pretty simple - survive the 3 days canoeing down the river without drowning in the rapids or killing your canoeing partner. Optional extras included eating your weight in snacks and getting Repetitive Strain Injury to ... read more
Just the 10 of us...
Packed canoe
Spectacular scenery




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