OK, OK, OK, sorry, sorry, sorry!!!!
My apologies for the tardiness of this update.
This was meant to be a casual pre-Xmas BBQ on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
A screaming south-westerly gale dictated that those hardy souls who turned up had to dress in winter woollies and wet weather gear. The food and company was great, even if the weather was crap. Can you make out the lovely Xmas lights strung along the side of the bus?
Same location as the previous photo - Ambury Park near Mangere mountain.
A very Kiwi sunset with the cabbage trees and toetoe in shot.
Still at Ambury Park with one of the more inquisitive locals.
Ambury Park is a working farm, but most of the animals born here get raised like pets.
This august assembly of artisans is celebrating the successful construction of a picnic table for Dan, made from demolition timber he salvaged from bathroom renovations.
Brother Paul provided the carpentry tools and verified trade certificate compliance, Daniel contributed the grunt, and my role was design and supervision.
After an extended hiatus, the Weber BBQ was resurrected for the cooking of a traditional Xmas ham.
Finishing skills were a tad rusty, but the overall result was a roaring success.
On the road again on the Forgotten World Highway between Taumarunui and Stratford.
The Moki Tunnel is near the self-proclaimed Republic of Whangamomona.
Another crossing of the Cook Strait, this time aboard a Bluebridge ferry passing an Interislander ferry going in the opposite direction in the Queen Charlotte Sound.
This is a little bit different punters. We are at Maggies Kitchen in Greymouth. Various photos and articles adorn the walls. The six pics displayed around the map of the south island are prints of shots I have taken.
Each of the above photos has appeared in earlier blogs.
Still in Greymouth, this is their new statue remembering the miners who have lost their lives in the area.
The statue was made in China and the three figures are short and dumpy and have slit eyes!
Now this little gem is slightly off the beaten track.
On 7th January 1931 Aussie Guy Menzies hopped in his aircraft at Mascot Aerodrome in Sydney and took off headed for New Zealand.
After 11 hours 45 minutes in the air he became the first person to fly solo across the Tasman and crash-landed at La Fontaine Marsh near Harihari on the west coast of the south island.
Menzies survived with only minor bruising.
This monument recognises the feat and is erected close to the paddock where Menzies' plane came down.
Yet another instance where my big mouth got me into trouble.
I boasted to fellow-motorhomers that I could turn my hand to a mean batch of scones any time I liked.
Truth was that I had never made scones in my life.
Locals provided the ingredients and challenged me to whisk up a batch for morning tea.
Result was a mouth-watering triumph.
One of the top freedom camping spots in glacier country.
The river is Clearwater Stream about ten kilometres towards the coast from Fox.
You may be able to make out where the vehicle access track has been eroded in previous flood conditions.
One of the highlights on the Haast Pass road trip - Thunder Creek Falls.
You don't know what windswept means until you've experienced the Catlins in eastern southland.
These trees mark the boundary of the Fortrose golf course.
It goes without saying that the prevailing wind is a howling southerly.
Very impressive Cathedral Caves at the Catlins near Tautuku Beach.
Only accessible at low tide you walk one kilometre down a bush track and then along the beach about another 500 metres.
This happy bunch of riders were part of the Tapanui Cavalcade.
350 horses with their riders re-explored old goldmine trails for a week before reaching the Tapanui Racecourse, about 35 kilometres north-east of Gore.
Check out the lead cowgirl's pink trim on her horse to match her shirt!
Not too sure if the gigs followed the trails for the whole week's trek.
A stagecoach drawn by clydesdales brought up the rear.
Perfect camping environment on the shores of Lake Tekapo, with unpolluted skies above Mt John in the right background.
Back in Greymouth at the Blaketown Bowling Club I commenced what is sure to become an illustrious career in lawn bowling.
At Havelock in the Marlborough Sounds for the mussel festival.
These guys are competing at mussel shucking.
Another year, another birthday.
Breakfast aboard Dan Watson's boat at Whitianga to start the beginning of my 68th year.
This is the north island's challenge to the Catlins' Cathedral Caves.
We are on the Coromandel.s east coast - locals call it Cathedral Cave (not to be confused with Cathedral Cove).
And finally, an addition to the lighthouse collection.
This light is on the Ninepin Rock at Whatipu at the entrance to the Manukau Harbour.
So much for this episode.
Thanks for watching.
Good luck to you and your families.
