FOLLY MONTAGUE!!!!!

So, our landlady has offered us her dog, a hungarian vizsla called Folly.   She has three dogs, the mother Meg, and her two kids, Folly and Pepper.  Pepper and Folly, whilst generally well behaved tend to run off together for adventures in the bush and not return for hours.  She knows that if she gives Folly or Pepper away the one left behind won't run away but is doing so reluctantly.  

We went to the S. Island to meet Folly and see if we might like to adopt her.  They live in an amazing house north of Kaiteriteri, near the Abel Tasman.   Folly is beautiful and so well behaved without her brother!), we were quite smitten!

Split Apple Rock

Centre of New Zealand

Mapua Port

Weekend in Wellie

A few weeks ago, Saturday had been so wintery, it had rained non stop and we barely left the house; we woke on Sunday to glorious sun and decided to explore some more of Wellington's green belt; the Northern Walkway.

Minutes from our house, each Sunday there is a market and alongside the harbour is a guy who sells his fresh fish.   It is a bargain!

The tram takes us to Kelburn. 

We walked through the botanic gardens and along the northern walkway, stunning views across the city from the ridge. 

                                                     Eduardo minutes from the city centre!

Parliament - the Beehive

Tramping in the orongorongo

We went walking this weekend to the Boar hut, in the Rimutaka range along the orongorongo river; a short hike for 2 hours along a pretty decent track and along the river to a DOC hut.  

Eduardo crossing a river!  I followed shortly afterwards.  Not pleasant but we were metres from our hut so safe in the knowledge we could dry our shoes out pretty quickly

The Boar Inn, our home for the next 24 hours; run by the department for conservation (DOC), this is one of the most basic and smallest; sole occupancy for $25 a night.  two bunk beds, running water, a loo, and a big fireplace.   So simple, so relaxing.   

Eduardo cutting wood!  Looking very happy! A PIS for those who can guess the acronym!!

Our $25 a night hut 

Reading my Wilbur Smith, drinking fizz and warming my damp toes by the fire. 

Glamping food; steak, beans and steamed veg!  

The view. 45 minutes from the capital.  not dalston. 

Taupo ( back two weeks)

We didn't get a day off for the royal wedding but we do get the Queen's birthday off, every year, and we headed up to taupo, right in the middle of the north island; the adventure holiday capital, here you can bungee jump, white river rafting, and of course trout fishing!  

The mighty Tongariro

We went for walks at the craters of the moon! 

Eduardo caught his first trout!

And on the journey hone we swung off the main road to look at some insignificant river that was stunning with the light reflecting off the white cliffs.

Ed spent most of the weekend fishing and I went for a few walks and horse riding, it rained non stop!  But apparently that is normal in Taupo!  

New Zealand - weekend pursuits.

So this weekend we are off to the Rimutaka Range, about 3/4 hour from Wellington.   We'll walk for a few hours, cross a river (we have to cross it before 3pm because it could rise quickly after the forecasted rain!) and walk to the Boar Inn; it has a fire, a tank of rain water, a pit loo, bunk beds and a fire, all ours for $25!  We'll stay there, lit by candle light, play chess, read our wilber smith's and eat Eduardo's gourmet camp cooking and walk on Sunday.  We hope to return to wellington early afternoon but it will depend on how much the river rises!  The helpful guys at DOC told me to take enough food for Sunday just in case we get stuck there!
 




 DVD of Rimutaka Forest Park