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Published: January 11th 2007
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Happy New Year
Well we're now a couple of weeks into the New Year and within the last 23 or so days before we leave. I'm back at work after a very pleasant and relaxing break while Emma continues to holiday it up. Work is pretty quiet as I'm not being given any new work to do and am almost finished all the work I've got. Not sure how I'm going to fill in the next three weeks. Probably do a fair bit of internet surfing and solitaire playing, waste some more rate payers money, you know how it is.
Christmas was a pretty standard affair this year. The day here in Invers was pretty overcast but warm and included the usual family get togethers and over indulgences. Emma spent the day in Christchurch with extended family which she really enjoyed and spent a number of days up there catching up with everybody.
On the 31st we rose at 6am with the aim of being on the road to Hawea by 7am however things didn't quite go to plan. The day before, the Beddie we would be travelling in overheated on a test drive out to Emma's parent's
place. After fixing the leaky radiator problem she looked all set to go. We went to fuel her up the next morning but broke the key for the fuel cap. After a quick trip back home and a bit of ingenious MacGyver style improvisation with a fork we managed to get the fuel cap off. We were heading back to the petrol station when the temperature gauge shot back up into the red (ie very hot) like it had the day before. So we pulled over to let her cool down and expected to find an empty radiator and a tell tale puddle of water on the road underneath. However, to our delight the radiator ‘stop leak’ was still working and all water was still where it should have been. Once we got going again the temperature gauge returned to its normal position and with a full tank of gas we were on our way, 2 hours later than we had hoped.
The trip up wasn't too bad and the old girl handled the 2 1/2 hour journey superbly. After picking up our extra cargo in Queenstown (Adam and Alana) it was off through the Kawarau Gorge with Adam
at the helm. We arrived in Hawea mid afternoonish to brilliantly sunny skies and, after pitching our tents, ripped into a few quiet Corona's and a game of Mexie (a big thanks to Ross and his very tolerant parents for putting up with us all camping on their lawn). At about 9pm everybody was feeling suitably lubricated (as in had a few drinks) so we headed down to the pub for the Datsuns/Shihad concert.
It was a sell out crowd of 3500 in the pub car park and the combination of really good weather and the really good sound and stage show of the bands made for a good night. Never have I had such a battle to get a drink at the bar though. The queue would have been 7 or 8 deep with everybody pushing towards to the front and people getting really aggro with each other. Then they'd send a security guard piss bowling down the middle to try and push everyone back which only seemed to make things worse. Good times though.
The next morning we packed all the gear back in the Beddie and made our way back to Queenstown. About five minutes
into the trip one of the passengers began to feel the after effects of the previous evening’s celebrations and required an emergency road side stop to unleash a few demons. I have no sympathy for the stupid bugger. Serves them right for over doing it.
The trip from Queenstown to Invers seemed to take for ever this time round. After underestimating how thirsty the Beddie actually was we nearly ran ourselves out of fuel just outside of nowhere. Thankfully though we managed to scrape it into Lumsden where there was an open petrol station to top her up at. On our way out of Lumsden the temperature gauge shot up again so again we pulled over to let her cool down. At this stage we had just about had enough but managed to keep on trucking on and made it back safe and well.
After a few days down time Emma and I were then off to Stewart Island on January 4th for four days with her Mum and Dad and her sister Sarah and her boyfriend Hamish. The ferry crossing was pretty tame and we arrived on the Island around lunch time. That afternoon we took a
water taxi over to Ulva Island and spent a few hours walking the tracks. Ulva Island is unique in that it is predator free and we were treated to some delightful birdlife such as Kaka, Weka and a very friendly (not to mention rare) Stewart Island Robin. We also walked along one of nicest beaches you’re ever likely to see at Sydney Cove. After a rather rough but exciting water taxi trip back to the main island we retired to the comfort of our homely accommodation for the evening.
The next morning we hiked an hour or so up the Ryan's Creek track to a rumored fishing hotspot off some rocks on the shores of Paterson Inlet. Emma, the fluke, caught the first fish after only three or so casts. However it was only a wee fella and had to be thrown back. The very next cast she hooked on a decent size blue cod only to have it break the line as it was being landed on the rocks. Myself and Sarah also had some success but had to throw the fish back due to their lack of size. That afternoon everyone was feeling a little worn out
so the rest of the day was mainly spent lounging around and sleeping before heading out for another unsuccessful crack at fishing in the evening.
The next morning was also a write off as it was pissing down with rain. The afternoon cleared up fine though so Emma and I hired a couple of mountain bikes and did a bit of a cycle tour of the area from Harold Bay in the northeast to (almost) Lee Bay in the west. It was a pleasant wee ride but man the hills are killers.
We spent the morning of our last day on the Island sea kayaking in and around Halfmoon Bay. Didn't get very far (only about half way round to Horseshoe Bay) but we did land on some nice beaches in a few of the many small bays and had a number of Little Blue Peguins playfully frolicking around our Kayak as we paddled about. Then it was off back home and back into work and the real world again. What a downer. The ferry ride back was fair bit rougher than on the way over and Emma struggled to hold down her lunch but in the end
we made it across safe and sound without any trouble.
Now I'm back at work, although things are pretty quiet and relaxed. Emma on the other hand continues her extended holidays but has begun sorting out all her gear etc in preparation for leaving. We will probably post another abbreviated blog the day before departure just to tell you all how nervous with excitement we are. Or not. Anyway, until then...
Ka kite ano
Gaz and Emma
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Adam/Driver
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IT WAS GAZ!!!!
IT WAS GAZ!!!!