31/3/10 - We are currently in Clyde, leaving today for Macetown (near Arrowtown), then Skippers Canyon tomorrow - sorry, this current entry only goes to the 23/3 but we thought we'd let you see what we have been doing up until then, and I will add more with photos when our group trip has finished - they are long days! - but awesome. ....... 17/03/10 Kaikoura - Woke to see snow on the Seaward Kaikouras - no wonder there’s a cold wind. Spotted Des and Christine from Ruakaka (ex-Kerikeri) in their motorhome, so sat and had a chat with them for an hour, then drove to the seal colony, but there wasn’t much happening there. As we were meeting our 4x4 group this evening, we headed to the meeting place at Puhipuhi School site DOC area. ... read more

2/3/10 Quite day at Reefton - a bit cool today! Lovely surprise visit from Les and Christine, Bill and Yvonne (Fire Chiefs, Kerikeri and Kaikohe). They knew we were in SI, but no idea where, and happened to see our 4x4 in the camping ground - how amazing is that! They had been in Christchurch at the National Fire Service conference. 3/3/10 - Drove up to Reefton lookout, where we met the MacKay twins, (do you know any adult twins in their late 50s who still address EXACTLY the same) - we do now! They were very nice and gave us lots of info about the area as they had hunted and felled trees and cut tracks all over the area. A one and a half hour loop walking track at Alborns Mine proved to be ... read more

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12/2/10 - Our neighbours at French Pass, Ann and Katherine, have two kayaks. They caught blue cod and a John Dory but had no idea how to gut and fillet them. Dave and I volunteered, and ended up with the fish for dinner. Two stingrays were cruising the beach waiting for scraps from the fishermen. The neighbours lent me their snorkelling gear, but there were no paua to be found. Didn’t venture too far around the rocks as Ann had met a very grumpy, large seal the day before. It rained for about 3 hrs. After dinner Dave and I walked up the hill and down the cliff track to the Pass lookout where the currents from the tide change swirl and eddy in fascinating patterns, not unlike the meeting of the oceans at Cape Reinga. ... read more

Sorry folks - a lot here but this is a week's worth. 7/2/10 - Nev and Sue took us on a great trip up the Ruahine range and we were able to look down on Dannevirke and the Wairarapa. We left them, travelling over the Saddle Rd, with a quick stop at the Wind Farm. Down through Woodville to Masterton, then Bideford to drop in on Mike and Fi. 8/2/10 - After staying at the Masterton Camping Ground (like out of the 60’s, although comfortable and clean cabins), we travelled to Wellington to catch the 1pm Bluebridge Ferry, arriving in Picton at about 4.45pm as it was running late. On the ferry we caught up with one Kerikeri resident, Gary, and an ex-Kerikeri couple, Bon and Joan. The drive around the very picturesque Queen Charlotte Drive, ... read more