Hi,
No more days left in July. Bye bye July. And hello August 1st. Tomorrow is my wee sister Karen's birthday. Happy birthday wee girl.
Mike is still quite sick with his dizzy virus - but better than yesterday. Or so he says. He really only seems fine when he has his eyes shut.
We are packed and almost ready to go. Benjamin is packed and almost ready to go. Vivienne and John must have already packed because I think they are gone. Mike will collect wee Toby from school and if he is well enough he will also collect Benjamin. Otherwise we'll drive over at about 1700 and collect him and head off.
It is quite windy here this morning but not too bad a day. I drove in by myself with my and Mike's skis. I have to take them in to get the bindings fitted to the boots. I have new boots and new skis (I got the skis last year but haven't used them yet - and I got the boots yesterday).
It must be time for a cup of tea. I can't wait!
Have a great weekend!
Love,
Angela
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Good morning on Thurs, Jul 30
Hi,
Not a bad wee ride in this morning. I think the wind was behind me at one stage as I flew down a hill and had to fight to make the corner - that's never happened before! The roads were almost dry - just a bit of dew I think.
Last night Mum made dinner for me and Toby while we were at karate and then we rang Shona and Sharon for their birthday. What a nice time we had talking to them. Toby got to speak to Jamie and he was so chuffed at that - his wee face lit up. Poor Dad had to go into work last night on his day off to help with moving stuff around. It's a shame for him (but I think he secretly likes doing that!).
Mike and Toby booked into the lodge for a ski weekend at the start of this week. And this morning I found out that Benjamin and I have also got in. So the four of us will leave Friday evening for some skiing fun! Hooray! I need to pack tonight before table tennis!
Love,
Angela
Not a bad wee ride in this morning. I think the wind was behind me at one stage as I flew down a hill and had to fight to make the corner - that's never happened before! The roads were almost dry - just a bit of dew I think.
Last night Mum made dinner for me and Toby while we were at karate and then we rang Shona and Sharon for their birthday. What a nice time we had talking to them. Toby got to speak to Jamie and he was so chuffed at that - his wee face lit up. Poor Dad had to go into work last night on his day off to help with moving stuff around. It's a shame for him (but I think he secretly likes doing that!).
Mike and Toby booked into the lodge for a ski weekend at the start of this week. And this morning I found out that Benjamin and I have also got in. So the four of us will leave Friday evening for some skiing fun! Hooray! I need to pack tonight before table tennis!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Good morning on Wed, July 29
Happy birthday to Shona and Sharon! :-)
And because wee Karen's birthday is at the weekend and I won't be emailing then - Happy Birthday Karen!
Yes - June and July (and - ok - the start of August) are busy birthday months in the Emmerson clan.
The parent/teacher interview went well. Miss Croft spent 15 minutes saying Toby was a well-adjusted, good, sociable wee boy. We got a look at his handwriting book and his story book. She mentioned Toby likes his Wii and is teaching her all about it. He has excellent literacy skills and that bodes well for his future education. Good!
There seems to be a semblance of a plan coming together for the weekend. It could take several paths at this point. But the mains ones are:
Mike and Toby are going skiing
John and Vivienne are most likely going skiing
Ramble is likely to go to the kennels
Benjamin is likely to go to his friend's place during the week and come to us at the weekend.
Mike will try to see if Benjamin and I can join him and Toby this weekend.
If we can't get accommodation for me and Benjamin, I'll go to the rugby on Friday night (Ranfurly Shield challenge between Otago and Wellington) and spend the weekend with Benjamin here.
If we also get accommodation for the following weekend, we'll be away for a long weekend. So we will need to make sure Benjamin does have somewhere to stay and isn't a homeless waif.
Nothing like a bit of spontaneous fun and games to keep us all feeling youthful. Yeah, right. ;-)
Tramping night tonight and Mike is on the door for meet and greet. Heheheheh. I'll be riding home to take Toby to karate. Mum is likely to pick Toby up after his tennis lesson and get him ready. We have chicken drumsticks in the fridge for tonight's dinner. Yum.
Have a great day! Whatever happens this weekend is looking like fun and I am keen! Bring on Friday at 5pm!
Love,
Angela
And because wee Karen's birthday is at the weekend and I won't be emailing then - Happy Birthday Karen!
Yes - June and July (and - ok - the start of August) are busy birthday months in the Emmerson clan.
The parent/teacher interview went well. Miss Croft spent 15 minutes saying Toby was a well-adjusted, good, sociable wee boy. We got a look at his handwriting book and his story book. She mentioned Toby likes his Wii and is teaching her all about it. He has excellent literacy skills and that bodes well for his future education. Good!
There seems to be a semblance of a plan coming together for the weekend. It could take several paths at this point. But the mains ones are:
Mike and Toby are going skiing
John and Vivienne are most likely going skiing
Ramble is likely to go to the kennels
Benjamin is likely to go to his friend's place during the week and come to us at the weekend.
Mike will try to see if Benjamin and I can join him and Toby this weekend.
If we can't get accommodation for me and Benjamin, I'll go to the rugby on Friday night (Ranfurly Shield challenge between Otago and Wellington) and spend the weekend with Benjamin here.
If we also get accommodation for the following weekend, we'll be away for a long weekend. So we will need to make sure Benjamin does have somewhere to stay and isn't a homeless waif.
Nothing like a bit of spontaneous fun and games to keep us all feeling youthful. Yeah, right. ;-)
Tramping night tonight and Mike is on the door for meet and greet. Heheheheh. I'll be riding home to take Toby to karate. Mum is likely to pick Toby up after his tennis lesson and get him ready. We have chicken drumsticks in the fridge for tonight's dinner. Yum.
Have a great day! Whatever happens this weekend is looking like fun and I am keen! Bring on Friday at 5pm!
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Good morning on Tues, July 28
Hi,
It is nearly my sisters' birthday - very exciting. I'll be thinking of them tomorrow and I hope they have a wonderful day.
Mike has some weird dizzy thing happening - and no - we don't think it is related to the blow he took to the head on Sunday when he trashed his helmet. I had it at the start of May and it is a very odd feeling. He described it as feeling car sick while sitting at his desk.
Last night we had Kea night and Aidan had collected Toby nice and early so Josh and I dropped Mike off at home to recover and headed out to the Scout Hall. I think activities need to be kept way simpler than making papier mache anything! We went over time and it affected our evening so I imagine it also affected others. Sorry. But it was fun - I enjoyed making the volcano. Let's see if they survive the week intact.
I was supposed to attend the Wadestown Tennis Club revival night but forgot. However, the evening improved by trying to organise the Rail Trail in Otago for next Easter. Wally and Lesley rang so we chatted for a while trying to sort out a few details.
Tonight at 1700 is our parent/teacher interview with Miss Croft. I have Toby's report so we can have a good 15 minute discussion with her.
Have a marvellous day!
Love,
Angela
It is nearly my sisters' birthday - very exciting. I'll be thinking of them tomorrow and I hope they have a wonderful day.
Mike has some weird dizzy thing happening - and no - we don't think it is related to the blow he took to the head on Sunday when he trashed his helmet. I had it at the start of May and it is a very odd feeling. He described it as feeling car sick while sitting at his desk.
Last night we had Kea night and Aidan had collected Toby nice and early so Josh and I dropped Mike off at home to recover and headed out to the Scout Hall. I think activities need to be kept way simpler than making papier mache anything! We went over time and it affected our evening so I imagine it also affected others. Sorry. But it was fun - I enjoyed making the volcano. Let's see if they survive the week intact.
I was supposed to attend the Wadestown Tennis Club revival night but forgot. However, the evening improved by trying to organise the Rail Trail in Otago for next Easter. Wally and Lesley rang so we chatted for a while trying to sort out a few details.
Tonight at 1700 is our parent/teacher interview with Miss Croft. I have Toby's report so we can have a good 15 minute discussion with her.
Have a marvellous day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, July 27, 2009
Good morning on Mon, July 27
Hi,
What a wonderful weekend. The weather was superb and Mike had the best two days on Ruapehu ever! I am sure he will tell you all about it but I can't help being proud of him climbing to the summit and peering into Crater Lake.
Toby and I had a sleepover at Mum and Dad's place on Friday night. Toby watched his backlog of TMNT cartoons and then we had a good sleep. Up to get ready for swimming and Toby swam quite well but was restless at times and got whispered to by the instructor that she expected better listening from him next week. Ok.
We then popped into Sally and Andrew's place and dropped off some TV program that Sally is keen to see. Toby climbed a tree in their backyard and we had a lovely hot choc/cup of tea.
Back home to relax before heading off to the Sampson household for another sleepover. We took the Wii over so that was the highlight of the evening's activities. The kids played and then when they went to bed we all played - until midnight.
Sunday morning we were up early-ish as I had Kea training to attend from 10 - 3pm. I learned heaps but the Kea training tools session could have been a little more structured to facilitate actually learning some tools to help run Keas. Toby played at the Tabors while I was in training.
Then back to the Sampson's house for a wee while before heading home via the supermarket to get dinner. Vivienne rang to arrange Benjamin weekend dates with us (I think Benjamin will stay with us over the next two weekends - but Vivienne will confirm today). That'll be good fun - Toby will be chuffed. Mike rang while Toby and I were tucking into hot dogs and Toby and I did try to collect him. But the Corolla had a flat battery (Mike had left the lights on when he parked it on Friday morning) so we had to ring him back and say we were unable to collect him. Fortunately he got home on the 14 bus very quickly.
So, a great weekend. Busy though. I am quite tired.
Dad seems to be sick from some dodgy sausage sizzle. Oh dear. It's a shame for him. Hope he's better soon.
Love,
Angela
What a wonderful weekend. The weather was superb and Mike had the best two days on Ruapehu ever! I am sure he will tell you all about it but I can't help being proud of him climbing to the summit and peering into Crater Lake.
Toby and I had a sleepover at Mum and Dad's place on Friday night. Toby watched his backlog of TMNT cartoons and then we had a good sleep. Up to get ready for swimming and Toby swam quite well but was restless at times and got whispered to by the instructor that she expected better listening from him next week. Ok.
We then popped into Sally and Andrew's place and dropped off some TV program that Sally is keen to see. Toby climbed a tree in their backyard and we had a lovely hot choc/cup of tea.
Back home to relax before heading off to the Sampson household for another sleepover. We took the Wii over so that was the highlight of the evening's activities. The kids played and then when they went to bed we all played - until midnight.
Sunday morning we were up early-ish as I had Kea training to attend from 10 - 3pm. I learned heaps but the Kea training tools session could have been a little more structured to facilitate actually learning some tools to help run Keas. Toby played at the Tabors while I was in training.
Then back to the Sampson's house for a wee while before heading home via the supermarket to get dinner. Vivienne rang to arrange Benjamin weekend dates with us (I think Benjamin will stay with us over the next two weekends - but Vivienne will confirm today). That'll be good fun - Toby will be chuffed. Mike rang while Toby and I were tucking into hot dogs and Toby and I did try to collect him. But the Corolla had a flat battery (Mike had left the lights on when he parked it on Friday morning) so we had to ring him back and say we were unable to collect him. Fortunately he got home on the 14 bus very quickly.
So, a great weekend. Busy though. I am quite tired.
Dad seems to be sick from some dodgy sausage sizzle. Oh dear. It's a shame for him. Hope he's better soon.
Love,
Angela
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Snowcraft II (25-26 July)
There was an air of anticipation as we gathered at the railway station. We'd spent the last weekend practicing our snow techniques, and Sharron had hinted that the next thing we should do is put our theory into practice by going somewhere. Where would we get to? Would the weather let us? The forecast was great, but I've learned that that doesn't necessarily mean that Ruapehu would play nice.
One of the many skills I am learning as part of tramping and snowcraft with WT&MC, is a detailed knowledge of where the best takeaways are at the towns on SH1 and SH2. And Bulls was our destination for dinner so that means the Best Doner Kebab Shop In All Rangitikei for sure. So we tried dialling in our order beforehand, which led to the phone being passed from person to person through the van until all 10 orders were placed. This was only partially successful since they insisted on making all our kebabs one at a time!
We arrived to brilliant clear skies and settled into the lodge.
Saturday saw us up early and enthusiastic. The weather was behaving and it was incredibly clear. As promised, we were indeed off somewhere - we were going to head for the summit. We divided ourselves into two groups - the "keen" group and the "try-hard" group (Sharron's names!) and 8am saw us off and walking.
Our first destination was the ampitheatre and the Alpine Club lodge. Conditions were superb, with really fantastic, weekend-of-the-season weather. Unlike the previous week, the snow was quite firm underfoot, with hard-packed snow and ice. Our crampons gripped perfectly.
At one point we crested a small ridge and walked straight down the relatively steep face on other side. Steve took us (the Keens) straight down the face! It was great to learn to trust your crampons that much - to be able to walk down a steep face and just stick to it with the steel spikes on the bottom of your boots. We meandered up the other side and looked back as the Try-hards tackled that face. Nic went first ... and lost her footing and slid straight to the bottom of the gut, even getting airborne at one point. The others picked their way down quite gingerly after watching how Nic went!
We stopped for a snack at the Alpine Club lodge after about 45 min and pondered on how this would be their standard walk in the evening, with all their stuff, after driving up for the weekend. That's a little bit too keen! We seemed to make very good time after passing the lodge and soon left it, and the ski lifts, far behind. We approached the summit via the spur that leads to Paretetaitonga, and passed the AIC'ers practicing their ice climbing. Icy snow gave way to ice and sastrugi. The going got steeper, and our pace turned into a slog. And then my crampons fell apart! Steve helped me with a bit of inventive use of the straps to hold them together for the day and it wasn't much longer before we crested Glacier Knob and got our first, astonishing view of the top. Before us the ridge sloped down to the Plateau, a flat moonscape basin ringed by uneven, ice blasted ridges and peaks.
We sidled along the ridge around the Plateau to Dome Ridge, and stopped at Dome Shelter for a well-earned, leisurely lunch, our first views of the crater lake on one side, and on the other the plateau, and our next destinations - the ridge of Tukino Peak and Te Heuheu. The shelter was entirely buried, and we had to take Steve, Marie and Sharron's words for it that there was even a structure under the impressive mound of ice blasted snow - until Steve located the general area of the door and dug it out (about a metre down). As we ate our lunch we pondered on the fellow who lost his leg in the shelter to a boulder thrown from the crater, and the soldiers who died on the plateau. It's sobering how much power there is in the mountain.
So after lunch, off we set again, following down the ridge and dropping off to the Plateau. I decided to descend off the ridge a little early, then watched astonished as the others hit a sheer ice face and came down backwards on all fours. Scary stuff. But soon enough we were walking across the plateau, which was a surreal experience. "Like being on Antarctica," as Illona put it. With no frame of reference other than the "low" peaks around us, we could have been anywhere, at any altitude. There were quite a few groups up on the summit with us - did I mention that the superb weather made it the weekend-of-the-season?! - and we crossed paths and chatted to some of them. There was one group coming up to build a snow cave and overnight on the summit. Others had brought their skis and boards and were looking for good descents. The people around us were all that gave scale to some of the vistas - you'd be looking at a "close" view and then pick out a couple of ant-sized people and realise that the perspective was quite different to what you thought.
Soon enough we were at the other side of the plateau, on a saddle that divided the plateau from the north face. This was the moment of decision. Over and down to home - or turn right, go up the ridge, and visit Tukino and Te Heuheu as well? With time ticking away there was only a few hours of good daylight now. But we did the sums, there was sufficient time, and so Steve led Illona, Megan, Duncan, Kat, Cecilia and me up to the two summits. The ridge rose steadily up to our first peak, with a sheer drop back to the plateau on our right. We were getting tired - at least I was! - but after 40 minutes of slog, with Steve and Illona leading the way and the rest of us straggling behind, we reached the Tukino summit, a craggy peak with a huge drop back to the plateau on one side. We gingerly got as close to the summit as we dared and took photos.
Then it seemed to be an easy stroll to the rounded knob of Te Heuheu, which we reached bang on target at 3pm. A quick photo stop and it was time to come down, down a beautiful powder bowl that cried out to be skiied or boarded. Some of us perfected bum-sliding as we descended. As we reached the skifield, Steve headed with purpose to the top of the waterfall express - and before we knew it he'd sorted us rides down the hill on the chairlift. So some weary, grateful bodies slid into seats for the last part of our descent, and back to the lodge by 4:30.
What a superb day. Sublime weather, perfect conditions, a full day of walking, astonishing views of Ngarahoe, Taranaki, Tama Lakes and Taupo, the stark beauty of Ruapehu summit, and visiting four of the 12 Ruapehu peaks. It really doesn't get any better than that.
The AIC'ers were quite late back - 8pm or so. They'd seen sunset at the summit, and came down in the dark. Their photos from the top were breathtaking.
Sunday saw tired bodies getting ready and out to see another perfect day with cloudless blue skies and no wind. Does that really happen two days in a row at Ruapehu? Today was a skills learning day - self arresting, snow caves, and avalanche transceiver work. We headed off in the general direction of the ampitheatre, and soon found an ideal spot for all three activities, right by some AIC'ers practicing crevasse retrievals.
My first activity for the day was snowcave digging. Steve marked out two entrances to dig, and he started on one and I more slowly started on the other. I was thinking that this was going to be VERY slow and unproductive until I suddenly cut through the hard layer and into the soft snow that those in the know were expecting to find. Even then, though, I learned that digging a snowcave is slow going. After 3-4 hours of us all taking turns digging, we had only done a U-shaped tunnel and were ready to start digging out the platform. So not something you'd be doing in a blizzard as an emergency shelter. Talking it over with Craig, you'd be making a snowcave as a base to operate from on multi-day trips - if you'd somehow forgotten your alpine tent! A good tent on a platform with a wall (extended up to an igloo if necessary) looks like a better option to me.
In the middle of this, Steve came over to us and said in quite a calm voice given the circumstances, that there'd been a freak avalanche up on the flat part of the ridge (yes, a very freak avalanche!) and somebody was buried. But luckily he had some transceivers that we could use to find this person. After a bit of fiddling to get them in search mode, we pretty quickly located where this unfortunate individual was - but not before Illona did some pretty realistic self arrest practice as we crossed the very icy head of the ridge without crampons. She did a textbook job, I'm happy to report.
Using the transceiver was very straightforward, accurate (to about 10cm, with a 50m or so range) and quick. Very comforting, especially with the terrible avalanche season we're having this year. One of the stats I heard on the radio after the Coronet Peak avalanche, is that if you're found within 15 minutes you've got a 90% chance of survival, but past that time you it very rapidly drops to a mere 10% survival rate. I'd rate a transceiver as essential equipment, anywhere you've got any chance of avalanche.
The final activity to practice was self arresting, and we all spent quite a while throwing ourselves off this ledge, in all manner of positions and contortions. We all got the hang of it pretty well, though I managed to do a spectactular fail, and write off my bike helmet into the bargain as my ice axe caught by the spike and threw itself at my head. (That was the time I was trying to just launch myself with a blank mind, and not think of what I had to do in advance. More practice for me I think!). Marie was a great self arrest coach, and had us all drilled really well by the end of the day.
So after a morning of digging, and searching, and falling - and watching the AIC people save each other from crevasses too, as well as entertaining the passing skiers and boarders - it was time to trot back to the lodge, clean up and head off. After a far less eventful trip down the mountain, and an obligatory stop in Ohakune for a chocolate eclair, then all too soon we were back in Wellington and our Snowcraft course was over.
Coming into the course, I'd expected that I'd learn quite a bit, but I didn't count on it being just so much fun and having so much of a great experience as well. I've not just gained a whole heap of valuable information and advice and experience, I've also got some memories that I'll treasure. Events that are this good and happen this smoothly don't just happen - a huge amount of thanks has to go to Sharron, Steve and Marie for the superb organisation and planning that went into this. If you're reading this and haven't done much snow work before - make sure you get your name on Snowcraft 2010!
Weekend 2 Snowcraft photos:
Friday, July 24, 2009
The tramp I did mid June (13/14) in the Tararuas
Waitewaewae Hut in mid June. Leader: Steve. Team: Robert, Tricia, Kate, Richard, Dmitry, Tatiana, Angela, Gareth, Daniel and Duncan
After a wet week in Wellington I imagine everyone in our group was looking forward to getting away from the town and out into the Tararuas. For some reason I have never tramped in the Tararuas before and I was keen to have a look for myself after seeing many club night photos of popular Tararua tramps. I have to say I was not disappointed - I saw the Tararuas in glorious sunshine and heavy rain that left a mist hanging through the trees.
We left from the train station at 8am on Saturday and picked up our last person at Porirua on the way to Otaki Forks. The weather was pretty good and after a few quick stretches at Otaki Forks we started our walk in brilliant sunshine. This was to be the only time I wished I had packed my sunglasses though. We walked over the lovely bridges and into the bush. We were the first group through for the morning - I know because I was first over the swing bridge and collected many spider webs on the way over.
The track was lovely – a gorgeous mix of pungas and regrowth bush with a lot of variable terrain. We followed a stream up the hill and we were in and out of it many times. The river rocks were smooth and sometimes slippery but I think we only had two people take an unexpected deeper dip than usual. The track itself was full of tree roots and I did encounter some of the famous Tararua mud. I ran out of energy not too long after negotiating the active slip area. This was very exciting as we had to clamber up a slippery bank around a huge slip using a few tree branches and roots. My new Macpac pack sat snugly on my back as I gave it a good workout in stability - leaping through the undergrowth like I was born in the jungle. Well, in my mind. In reality I was covered in mud once I got to the top of the slip and my arms felt like they had stretched a few centimetres. It really was good fun but sapping - I should have snacked more regularly on my chocolate and nuts after that episode.
Past here we followed an old log hauling trail where there were often remnants of rail tracks we were walking between. Fascinating to think about them building all that infrastructure in the middle of nowhere to haul out the magnificent huge trees. This insight into historic logging culminated in seeing a huge, iron monster of an engine on the side of the track. We spent a lot of time speculating on this contraption. Did they bring it in on those tracks they had to lay? Did they bring it in piece by piece and assemble it onsite? We discounted helicoptering it in for obvious reasons but that would have been the preferred modern option. Every other option seemed like too much hard work. We left with lots of photos.
When we popped out of the stream bed up onto a plateau, we spent a wee while walking on track that was pretty flat before heading off down another stream on the other side of the hill. About this time we were passed by a university tramping group and the heavy rain started. This section of track went down to the Otaki River where you could take a dry weather option up the river itself, or climb up to a ridge and around to the hut on a track. Taking the wet weather version we were surprised by a new slip exposing lots of nice, grey, very sticky, clay around the root ball of a massive tree. We used stringy but strong tree roots to sidle around it and managed to get away without getting covered in clay.
The Waitewaewae hut was a welcome sight and it was light, airy and warm. There seemed to be loads of space and our team members had a brew on already and I found a good sleeping space on the roomy top sleeping platform. We chatted as night set in around the fire and then around dinner. Steve organised a lovely Thai tuna green curry and that was followed by chocolate biscuits. The pita bread with garlic roasted over the pot belly stove top was a huge hit. Steve chose the dinner table benches as the best sleeping location - he pushed two benches together and slept there.
We all slept very well that night - there wasn't a lot of snoring or anything. Breakfast might need some minor adjustments on my part. I was not overjoyed with 4 Weetbix with my milk powder made up to resemble milk - mostly. I surreptitiously checked out my fellow trampers breakfast options. Someone had toast, someone had One Square Meal bars, some had porridge and some, rather sensibly I thought, had kept leftover tuna green curry with loads of rice. I think I might check out the leftover option on future tramps. Very tasty and it limits the amount of leftovers you have to pack back out after over-estimating the amount of rice 10 people can eat. I heard mention of previous trips people were on where they had to carry full billies of cooked rice back out.
My pack did get a bit lighter on the way out after the veges and tuna had been eaten and we all left excited by the river option back. About 50 m back down the track from the hut, we diverted into the river itself. After a few steps in the Otaki river, the numbness stopped the bone-chilling cold from hurting. Oh - I needed my polarised sunglasses here once more so I could see the river bottom and avoid those big, mossy, round stones. No one fell in however so it must have been a good option and we continued to wander down the river for about 800m or so before cutting back onto the track and following our route from yesterday back to Otaki Forks. You had to make sure you kept an eye out for the orange tag showing the track back into the bush on the true right bank as it would be easy to miss. Although as Steve pointed out, the river does flow past the carpark eventually. Perhaps inner tubes rather than packs for that idea. And not in winter. Brrrr.
I really should have stretched a bit more upon our arrival back to the van. By the time we got out at the Red Cafe to have some tea my muscles were getting stiff. The cafe had some nice food to satisfy our appetite and we got back in the van for the trip into Wellington. I did spend the next few days cringing when I climbed some steps and my legs remembered the weekend's activities. But as they say, that kind of a feeling is a great reminder of weekend fun!
After a wet week in Wellington I imagine everyone in our group was looking forward to getting away from the town and out into the Tararuas. For some reason I have never tramped in the Tararuas before and I was keen to have a look for myself after seeing many club night photos of popular Tararua tramps. I have to say I was not disappointed - I saw the Tararuas in glorious sunshine and heavy rain that left a mist hanging through the trees.
We left from the train station at 8am on Saturday and picked up our last person at Porirua on the way to Otaki Forks. The weather was pretty good and after a few quick stretches at Otaki Forks we started our walk in brilliant sunshine. This was to be the only time I wished I had packed my sunglasses though. We walked over the lovely bridges and into the bush. We were the first group through for the morning - I know because I was first over the swing bridge and collected many spider webs on the way over.
The track was lovely – a gorgeous mix of pungas and regrowth bush with a lot of variable terrain. We followed a stream up the hill and we were in and out of it many times. The river rocks were smooth and sometimes slippery but I think we only had two people take an unexpected deeper dip than usual. The track itself was full of tree roots and I did encounter some of the famous Tararua mud. I ran out of energy not too long after negotiating the active slip area. This was very exciting as we had to clamber up a slippery bank around a huge slip using a few tree branches and roots. My new Macpac pack sat snugly on my back as I gave it a good workout in stability - leaping through the undergrowth like I was born in the jungle. Well, in my mind. In reality I was covered in mud once I got to the top of the slip and my arms felt like they had stretched a few centimetres. It really was good fun but sapping - I should have snacked more regularly on my chocolate and nuts after that episode.
Past here we followed an old log hauling trail where there were often remnants of rail tracks we were walking between. Fascinating to think about them building all that infrastructure in the middle of nowhere to haul out the magnificent huge trees. This insight into historic logging culminated in seeing a huge, iron monster of an engine on the side of the track. We spent a lot of time speculating on this contraption. Did they bring it in on those tracks they had to lay? Did they bring it in piece by piece and assemble it onsite? We discounted helicoptering it in for obvious reasons but that would have been the preferred modern option. Every other option seemed like too much hard work. We left with lots of photos.
When we popped out of the stream bed up onto a plateau, we spent a wee while walking on track that was pretty flat before heading off down another stream on the other side of the hill. About this time we were passed by a university tramping group and the heavy rain started. This section of track went down to the Otaki River where you could take a dry weather option up the river itself, or climb up to a ridge and around to the hut on a track. Taking the wet weather version we were surprised by a new slip exposing lots of nice, grey, very sticky, clay around the root ball of a massive tree. We used stringy but strong tree roots to sidle around it and managed to get away without getting covered in clay.
The Waitewaewae hut was a welcome sight and it was light, airy and warm. There seemed to be loads of space and our team members had a brew on already and I found a good sleeping space on the roomy top sleeping platform. We chatted as night set in around the fire and then around dinner. Steve organised a lovely Thai tuna green curry and that was followed by chocolate biscuits. The pita bread with garlic roasted over the pot belly stove top was a huge hit. Steve chose the dinner table benches as the best sleeping location - he pushed two benches together and slept there.
We all slept very well that night - there wasn't a lot of snoring or anything. Breakfast might need some minor adjustments on my part. I was not overjoyed with 4 Weetbix with my milk powder made up to resemble milk - mostly. I surreptitiously checked out my fellow trampers breakfast options. Someone had toast, someone had One Square Meal bars, some had porridge and some, rather sensibly I thought, had kept leftover tuna green curry with loads of rice. I think I might check out the leftover option on future tramps. Very tasty and it limits the amount of leftovers you have to pack back out after over-estimating the amount of rice 10 people can eat. I heard mention of previous trips people were on where they had to carry full billies of cooked rice back out.
My pack did get a bit lighter on the way out after the veges and tuna had been eaten and we all left excited by the river option back. About 50 m back down the track from the hut, we diverted into the river itself. After a few steps in the Otaki river, the numbness stopped the bone-chilling cold from hurting. Oh - I needed my polarised sunglasses here once more so I could see the river bottom and avoid those big, mossy, round stones. No one fell in however so it must have been a good option and we continued to wander down the river for about 800m or so before cutting back onto the track and following our route from yesterday back to Otaki Forks. You had to make sure you kept an eye out for the orange tag showing the track back into the bush on the true right bank as it would be easy to miss. Although as Steve pointed out, the river does flow past the carpark eventually. Perhaps inner tubes rather than packs for that idea. And not in winter. Brrrr.
I really should have stretched a bit more upon our arrival back to the van. By the time we got out at the Red Cafe to have some tea my muscles were getting stiff. The cafe had some nice food to satisfy our appetite and we got back in the van for the trip into Wellington. I did spend the next few days cringing when I climbed some steps and my legs remembered the weekend's activities. But as they say, that kind of a feeling is a great reminder of weekend fun!
Good morning on Fri, Jul 24
Hi there,
Another wet day for Wellington but the forecast seems to be quite good for the weekend. Mind you, the two weather information sites I have just consulted both say wildly different things. One says tomorrow will be cloudy with no rain and a low of -1. Ridiculous. It's never that cold in Wellington. The other says it'll be mostly cloudy but with rain and a low of 4. Who knows. If there is a clear spell tomorrow after swimming I might take Toby for a hit on the tennis courts at his school.
Mike heads of for Ruapehu this evening for the second snowcraft weekend and by all accounts it is looking quite good weather-wise up there. Well, by one account. I sat with Kat on the bus in this morning and she is also going up for snowcraft. She tells me the weather is looking good. She probably has as reliable a source as I do for the Wellington weather.
So Toby and I have the following weekend plans. Dinner and a sleepover at Grandy and Gramps' house tonight. Swimming tomorrow morning. Back home and maybe some tennis. Sleepover for Saturday night at the Sampson household. Sunday I have Kea leader training from 10 am to 3pm and I think Aidan will look after Toby as Josh is also coming to the training session. I was hoping to watch the rugby but that is looking unlikely at this point.
So, there you have it. A weekend of fun, excitement and hopefully a glimpse of sunshine by Sunday. Monday is looking good at this stage.
I need to get ready for the papier-mache Kea night with some cardboard bases and make up the glue. What fun!
Last night we had an unexpected pleasure with a Skype chat to the Holloway family in Southampton. Their webcam worked great but we didn't have one (or a mic until Mike flew downstairs and found one). It was nice to see Judith and wee John too. And a photo of Claire - she was 5 yesterday! I think we need to buy a webcam and have regular sessions chatting to them. It was like being there.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela
Another wet day for Wellington but the forecast seems to be quite good for the weekend. Mind you, the two weather information sites I have just consulted both say wildly different things. One says tomorrow will be cloudy with no rain and a low of -1. Ridiculous. It's never that cold in Wellington. The other says it'll be mostly cloudy but with rain and a low of 4. Who knows. If there is a clear spell tomorrow after swimming I might take Toby for a hit on the tennis courts at his school.
Mike heads of for Ruapehu this evening for the second snowcraft weekend and by all accounts it is looking quite good weather-wise up there. Well, by one account. I sat with Kat on the bus in this morning and she is also going up for snowcraft. She tells me the weather is looking good. She probably has as reliable a source as I do for the Wellington weather.
So Toby and I have the following weekend plans. Dinner and a sleepover at Grandy and Gramps' house tonight. Swimming tomorrow morning. Back home and maybe some tennis. Sleepover for Saturday night at the Sampson household. Sunday I have Kea leader training from 10 am to 3pm and I think Aidan will look after Toby as Josh is also coming to the training session. I was hoping to watch the rugby but that is looking unlikely at this point.
So, there you have it. A weekend of fun, excitement and hopefully a glimpse of sunshine by Sunday. Monday is looking good at this stage.
I need to get ready for the papier-mache Kea night with some cardboard bases and make up the glue. What fun!
Last night we had an unexpected pleasure with a Skype chat to the Holloway family in Southampton. Their webcam worked great but we didn't have one (or a mic until Mike flew downstairs and found one). It was nice to see Judith and wee John too. And a photo of Claire - she was 5 yesterday! I think we need to buy a webcam and have regular sessions chatting to them. It was like being there.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Good morning on Thurs, Jul 23
Hi,
What a wild and woolly morning - it was easy to convince myself to take the bus but I do feel guilty for it.
Mike got home at 2am last night - needless to say I was well asleep when he came to bed and responded with grunts. He told me all about the movie he went to with Kara. Sounded boring but my memory may be failing me as I was comatose at the time.
Toby enjoyed his tennis lesson by his account. He has homework - he has to bounce the tennis ball on his racquet 30 times. He is happy because William L is in his class. So there are 4 of them - him, Toby (from his class), Charlie and William.
Toby also went rather better at karate compared to the last time he did it before school holidays. A bit more concentration this time around. Thank goodness.
Mum and Dad sorted dinner for me and Toby too. When we got back from karate we all ate yummy family pie, mashed potatoes and broccoli. It was great!
Mum and I have table tennis tonight. And Mike has to pack for the snowcraft weekend.
Ok. Better get stuck into my workload for the day.
Love,
Angela
What a wild and woolly morning - it was easy to convince myself to take the bus but I do feel guilty for it.
Mike got home at 2am last night - needless to say I was well asleep when he came to bed and responded with grunts. He told me all about the movie he went to with Kara. Sounded boring but my memory may be failing me as I was comatose at the time.
Toby enjoyed his tennis lesson by his account. He has homework - he has to bounce the tennis ball on his racquet 30 times. He is happy because William L is in his class. So there are 4 of them - him, Toby (from his class), Charlie and William.
Toby also went rather better at karate compared to the last time he did it before school holidays. A bit more concentration this time around. Thank goodness.
Mum and Dad sorted dinner for me and Toby too. When we got back from karate we all ate yummy family pie, mashed potatoes and broccoli. It was great!
Mum and I have table tennis tonight. And Mike has to pack for the snowcraft weekend.
Ok. Better get stuck into my workload for the day.
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Good morning on Wed, Jul 22
Hi,
What a wonderful morning - not too cold (if a little windy) and dry roads for the ride in. How pleasant.
It is Toby's first day of tennis lessons today. I hope he likes it as I'd like to start playing with him at the weekends. His school has two courts and they are reviving the old community tennis club that used to exist many years ago there. There is a meeting about it next week so we'll toddle along. I think we pay for Toby's membership and then a bit extra for a key so we can use the facilities (looks like a shed!) next to the court.
It is also karate day so I head off early on my bike. Ma and Da will pop over and collect wee Toby to get him ready. Ma will get tea ready for the 4 of us.
Mike has tramping club and a movie with Kara after that. So he'll stay in town.
Ron got back to Dunedin without any worries. Mike rang home last night to chat to them. It was very pleasant having them both here over the school holidays. Our patio looks great - thanks to Mike's mother.
That's about it. Have a marvellous day. I need Weetbix and a cup of tea.
Love,
Angela
What a wonderful morning - not too cold (if a little windy) and dry roads for the ride in. How pleasant.
It is Toby's first day of tennis lessons today. I hope he likes it as I'd like to start playing with him at the weekends. His school has two courts and they are reviving the old community tennis club that used to exist many years ago there. There is a meeting about it next week so we'll toddle along. I think we pay for Toby's membership and then a bit extra for a key so we can use the facilities (looks like a shed!) next to the court.
It is also karate day so I head off early on my bike. Ma and Da will pop over and collect wee Toby to get him ready. Ma will get tea ready for the 4 of us.
Mike has tramping club and a movie with Kara after that. So he'll stay in town.
Ron got back to Dunedin without any worries. Mike rang home last night to chat to them. It was very pleasant having them both here over the school holidays. Our patio looks great - thanks to Mike's mother.
That's about it. Have a marvellous day. I need Weetbix and a cup of tea.
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Good morning on Tues, Jul 21
Hi,
Well, it was nice to watch NASA TV last night on the Internet - it was a good way to remember the moon landing. The space station has a blocked toilet and that has certainly captured the imagination of the earth-bound public.
Keas went well despite the last-minute switch of activities. Mike talked to them about the moon landing and they all drew pictures of it. Then we went outside into the clear crisp night and we pointed out the Southern Cross and Scorpius. Now we need people to save all their newspapers for next week's activity - papier-mache volcanoes.
I was off to a movie tonight with Kara for the International Film Festival but it was booked out. So I have a free night to spend with Mike and Toby. Next week might be a quiz night if I am very good.
Mike is off to a movie tomorrow night with Kara though - some French film. After tramping club. So he might come home and have tea and then drive to tramping club and then the movie so he can get home without relying on the buses.
Ron heads home this afternoon. He'll catch the local bus to the train station and then the airport bus. He has a wee bag so he should be fine. It was great having him around to play with Toby and collect him from school and stuff. Now we're back to our normal routine.
And to celebrate that, Mike and I rode to work for the first time in ages. It's windy but such a lovely morning again. The roads were dry and it wasn't too busy by 7.30 when we left home. So back into it once more. Get my fitness back so I can take my work colleague on in squash and last the hour smacking the wee ball around the court. Next Tuesday lunch time is my next squash date. Woo hoo! Better try and dig out our squash racquets.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Well, it was nice to watch NASA TV last night on the Internet - it was a good way to remember the moon landing. The space station has a blocked toilet and that has certainly captured the imagination of the earth-bound public.
Keas went well despite the last-minute switch of activities. Mike talked to them about the moon landing and they all drew pictures of it. Then we went outside into the clear crisp night and we pointed out the Southern Cross and Scorpius. Now we need people to save all their newspapers for next week's activity - papier-mache volcanoes.
I was off to a movie tonight with Kara for the International Film Festival but it was booked out. So I have a free night to spend with Mike and Toby. Next week might be a quiz night if I am very good.
Mike is off to a movie tomorrow night with Kara though - some French film. After tramping club. So he might come home and have tea and then drive to tramping club and then the movie so he can get home without relying on the buses.
Ron heads home this afternoon. He'll catch the local bus to the train station and then the airport bus. He has a wee bag so he should be fine. It was great having him around to play with Toby and collect him from school and stuff. Now we're back to our normal routine.
And to celebrate that, Mike and I rode to work for the first time in ages. It's windy but such a lovely morning again. The roads were dry and it wasn't too busy by 7.30 when we left home. So back into it once more. Get my fitness back so I can take my work colleague on in squash and last the hour smacking the wee ball around the court. Next Tuesday lunch time is my next squash date. Woo hoo! Better try and dig out our squash racquets.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, July 20, 2009
Good morning on Jul 20, it's a Monday
Hi there,
40 years today Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon. How cool is that?
We also had an awesome weekend - perhaps not quite as earth-shattering as 40 years ago today, but not too shabby.
Friday we headed out to Sally and Adrew's place for Indian takeaways. Yummo. Their Indian takeaway shop is very good.
Saturday we headed off to Southwards Car Museum and pottered around there for some time. Wee Toby got a little bored but the cafe proved a good diversion and then Toby and I waited outside in the sunshine for a while.
Saturday evening we watched the rugby and were pleasantly surprised by the win by the Kiwis over the Aussies in Auckland.
Sunday was a lazy day for some - Toby mainly. Toby played computer games for hours - coaxing his Dad or Grandad to play with him. I got loads done - facial with Mum, shopping, washing and cooked dinner and cookies. Sally and Andrew came around for dinner and Dad joined us after his work. So it was a pleasant evening socialising.
I taught Toby to play Go Fish - the card game. And we played that many times. Toby even invented a version to be played with all his Mr Men books ("Have you got a book with an "e" in the name?") and we played that for a while too.
Mike's mother walked to church yesterday in snow flurries and through a good bit of snow. We had lovely weather and it continues today.
It is Kea night once more and I need to buy cheap flour and get hold of lots of old newspapers. Yes - it is papier-mache time.
Have a great week!
Love,
Angela
40 years today Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon. How cool is that?
We also had an awesome weekend - perhaps not quite as earth-shattering as 40 years ago today, but not too shabby.
Friday we headed out to Sally and Adrew's place for Indian takeaways. Yummo. Their Indian takeaway shop is very good.
Saturday we headed off to Southwards Car Museum and pottered around there for some time. Wee Toby got a little bored but the cafe proved a good diversion and then Toby and I waited outside in the sunshine for a while.
Saturday evening we watched the rugby and were pleasantly surprised by the win by the Kiwis over the Aussies in Auckland.
Sunday was a lazy day for some - Toby mainly. Toby played computer games for hours - coaxing his Dad or Grandad to play with him. I got loads done - facial with Mum, shopping, washing and cooked dinner and cookies. Sally and Andrew came around for dinner and Dad joined us after his work. So it was a pleasant evening socialising.
I taught Toby to play Go Fish - the card game. And we played that many times. Toby even invented a version to be played with all his Mr Men books ("Have you got a book with an "e" in the name?") and we played that for a while too.
Mike's mother walked to church yesterday in snow flurries and through a good bit of snow. We had lovely weather and it continues today.
It is Kea night once more and I need to buy cheap flour and get hold of lots of old newspapers. Yes - it is papier-mache time.
Have a great week!
Love,
Angela
Friday, July 17, 2009
Good morning on Friday, Jul 17
Hi,
What a busy few days. Wednesday evening started in fine form. The bus I caught broke down two minutes after I got on it in the middle of Willis St in peak hour traffic. The chaos we caused can be measured by the fact that the next 14 bus behind us (should be about 10 mins behind at that time of night) took 30 minutes to crawl through the snarl we built. So it was a long commute home.
Then I was off to tramping club to sign Mike up for tramps in the snow! I failed. They were full. But I did get to watch a video of two people climbing Mt Kiliminjaro.
Thursday I was up at normal time to get ready to collect Toby and Ron from the airport. We got home and had breakfast and then Toby and I set off to get his fish for his welcome home present. But the man at the shop said no. So we went to visit the Tabors for a while.
Back home for lunch and a relaxing afternoon before collecting Gracie and Ashwin from Skids to play with Toby at our place. Toby was quite the gentleman opening the doors for Gracie and saying "Ladies first". They all enjoyed themselves and I cooked up spag bol and they ate well. it was nice to see Jules and Gareth briefly too.
Then I got ready for table tennis and headed out before Mike got home. I had a good game with a few people! Then home reasonably early to chat to Mike.
Saturday we're off to get the fish nice and early. Then maybe the fair in Petone. Toby would like to go swimming too - so maybe H2oXtreme in Upper Hutt?
Anyhow - have a great weekend.
Love,
Angela
What a busy few days. Wednesday evening started in fine form. The bus I caught broke down two minutes after I got on it in the middle of Willis St in peak hour traffic. The chaos we caused can be measured by the fact that the next 14 bus behind us (should be about 10 mins behind at that time of night) took 30 minutes to crawl through the snarl we built. So it was a long commute home.
Then I was off to tramping club to sign Mike up for tramps in the snow! I failed. They were full. But I did get to watch a video of two people climbing Mt Kiliminjaro.
Thursday I was up at normal time to get ready to collect Toby and Ron from the airport. We got home and had breakfast and then Toby and I set off to get his fish for his welcome home present. But the man at the shop said no. So we went to visit the Tabors for a while.
Back home for lunch and a relaxing afternoon before collecting Gracie and Ashwin from Skids to play with Toby at our place. Toby was quite the gentleman opening the doors for Gracie and saying "Ladies first". They all enjoyed themselves and I cooked up spag bol and they ate well. it was nice to see Jules and Gareth briefly too.
Then I got ready for table tennis and headed out before Mike got home. I had a good game with a few people! Then home reasonably early to chat to Mike.
Saturday we're off to get the fish nice and early. Then maybe the fair in Petone. Toby would like to go swimming too - so maybe H2oXtreme in Upper Hutt?
Anyhow - have a great weekend.
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Good morning on Wed, Jul 15
Hi,
It is a wee bit rainy here today but a lot warmer. Mum and I went to the quiz night with Lesley and Wally last night and we won! We did have 10 people at our table and half of them high school teachers! Mum is hooked and wants to do them all the time.
Mike is having fun up in Auckland prancing around his hotel room - so he tells me. But he must be busy as I haven't heard much from him all day.
Tonight I have to head to tramping club to book Mike into tramps involving snow! Yikes!
Then tomorrow morning I collect wee Toby and Grandad from the airport and have the day with Toby.
That's about it really. I am playing squash for the first time in ages today with a work colleague.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
It is a wee bit rainy here today but a lot warmer. Mum and I went to the quiz night with Lesley and Wally last night and we won! We did have 10 people at our table and half of them high school teachers! Mum is hooked and wants to do them all the time.
Mike is having fun up in Auckland prancing around his hotel room - so he tells me. But he must be busy as I haven't heard much from him all day.
Tonight I have to head to tramping club to book Mike into tramps involving snow! Yikes!
Then tomorrow morning I collect wee Toby and Grandad from the airport and have the day with Toby.
That's about it really. I am playing squash for the first time in ages today with a work colleague.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Good morning on Tues, Jul 14
Oui, oui. C'est Bastille Day. Bonjour!
Mike is off to Auckland. He should be already out at the airport and checking his luggage. I hope he has a good time up there catching up with everyone at work.
Last night we chatted to Toby in Dunedin and he was very chipper. We could tell he was having a good time. He told Mike he had had such a busy day he couldn't remember it all to tell us. Phew! Lucky wee chap!
Then Mike took me out for dinner. We went to his favourite restaurant. No - not McDonalds! Heheheh. It is the Curry Village in Porirua. The staff remember Mike from when he worked there and greet him like a friend! It is very funny.
From there we went to see the Bichans and had an unsatisfactory time trying to get their laptop working on the wifi network. No chance! So Mike will bring their laptop back to our house where we know the wifi works and get the drivers on the laptop so it knows how to talk to a wifi. Mike's recent laptop had the same problem.
Me? Yes. Two days alone and then a day off on Thursday when Ron arrives with Toby. But I have things to do, so I won't be able to reflect fully on my alone time. Heheheh.
Ok. Have a marvellous day.
Love,
Angela
Mike is off to Auckland. He should be already out at the airport and checking his luggage. I hope he has a good time up there catching up with everyone at work.
Last night we chatted to Toby in Dunedin and he was very chipper. We could tell he was having a good time. He told Mike he had had such a busy day he couldn't remember it all to tell us. Phew! Lucky wee chap!
Then Mike took me out for dinner. We went to his favourite restaurant. No - not McDonalds! Heheheh. It is the Curry Village in Porirua. The staff remember Mike from when he worked there and greet him like a friend! It is very funny.
From there we went to see the Bichans and had an unsatisfactory time trying to get their laptop working on the wifi network. No chance! So Mike will bring their laptop back to our house where we know the wifi works and get the drivers on the laptop so it knows how to talk to a wifi. Mike's recent laptop had the same problem.
Me? Yes. Two days alone and then a day off on Thursday when Ron arrives with Toby. But I have things to do, so I won't be able to reflect fully on my alone time. Heheheh.
Ok. Have a marvellous day.
Love,
Angela
Monday, July 13, 2009
Good morning on Mon, Jul 13
Hi,
I don't want to upset Mike too much but I loved my weekend to myself. I went round to Mum and Dad's for tea on Friday after work and stayed to watch a movie with Mum (turns out she'd seen it and never liked it then - so she did her crosswords). Then home to put the bread on and off to bed to read and sleep. I woke just before 7am and about a minute later the phone rings and it is Toby. All he said in a crying wail was "I want to come home" about 4 or 5 times in a row then ran away. Oh dear. He'd woken on the wrong side of the bed - or squab.
I spent the next 30 minutes worrying about him until Mike's parents rang again to say he was ok. Phew!
So, I trotted out to get the fresh bread, took it back to bed and ate bread and butter and read books.
Eventually I got out of bed and showered and started preparing to paint our bedroom. My goal was to be able to get the curtains back up by the end of the weekend. I wiped down the whole room as it was covered in plaster dust and then started a layer of undercoat. After that I had to wait 2 hours. So I read some more. :-)
Then another layer of top coat. By then it must have been 7.30pm or so. So I went to bed thinking I would read some more (this really is my idea of heaven!) however I got sidetracked by movies and watched one and half of another one before I fell into a coma.
Next morning I watched the end of the second movie and then started a top coat on the room. I got that done and hopped in the shower to get ready to take Mum to the pub in Khandallah for lunch. We had a nice lunch and and did a bit of shopping for veges and stuff at the New World nearby.
Then Mum and I shot down the hill to shop for a special welcome home present for Toby. I spent an hour or two getting it set up for his return. Shhhhh.
After that was accomplished, I added the last top coat to the room. Then I read some more while it dried. By this time Mike was close to Wellington so I went down to collect him and dropped two others off on the way home.
I got the curtains back on and we're planning to head out to the Indian curry place in Porirua tonight after work. And we might pop in on the Bichans to see if we can help sort out their new broadband connections.
Mike might tell you all about his adventures so I'll leave that for him. His Saturday was good with nice weather but Sunday was spent inside on theory with gale force winds outside. He had a great weekend too!
Have a good week and enjoy it!
Love,
Angela
I don't want to upset Mike too much but I loved my weekend to myself. I went round to Mum and Dad's for tea on Friday after work and stayed to watch a movie with Mum (turns out she'd seen it and never liked it then - so she did her crosswords). Then home to put the bread on and off to bed to read and sleep. I woke just before 7am and about a minute later the phone rings and it is Toby. All he said in a crying wail was "I want to come home" about 4 or 5 times in a row then ran away. Oh dear. He'd woken on the wrong side of the bed - or squab.
I spent the next 30 minutes worrying about him until Mike's parents rang again to say he was ok. Phew!
So, I trotted out to get the fresh bread, took it back to bed and ate bread and butter and read books.
Eventually I got out of bed and showered and started preparing to paint our bedroom. My goal was to be able to get the curtains back up by the end of the weekend. I wiped down the whole room as it was covered in plaster dust and then started a layer of undercoat. After that I had to wait 2 hours. So I read some more. :-)
Then another layer of top coat. By then it must have been 7.30pm or so. So I went to bed thinking I would read some more (this really is my idea of heaven!) however I got sidetracked by movies and watched one and half of another one before I fell into a coma.
Next morning I watched the end of the second movie and then started a top coat on the room. I got that done and hopped in the shower to get ready to take Mum to the pub in Khandallah for lunch. We had a nice lunch and and did a bit of shopping for veges and stuff at the New World nearby.
Then Mum and I shot down the hill to shop for a special welcome home present for Toby. I spent an hour or two getting it set up for his return. Shhhhh.
After that was accomplished, I added the last top coat to the room. Then I read some more while it dried. By this time Mike was close to Wellington so I went down to collect him and dropped two others off on the way home.
I got the curtains back on and we're planning to head out to the Indian curry place in Porirua tonight after work. And we might pop in on the Bichans to see if we can help sort out their new broadband connections.
Mike might tell you all about his adventures so I'll leave that for him. His Saturday was good with nice weather but Sunday was spent inside on theory with gale force winds outside. He had a great weekend too!
Have a good week and enjoy it!
Love,
Angela
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Snowcraft 1 (11-12 July 2009)
We were primed, we were keen, we were prepared. After an evening's talk by Sharron, with an unusual disrobing by Steve and Marie to show us the gear we needed to wear, twelve of us were eagerly anticipating our first weekend on the snow with crampons and ice axes.
Friday we all assembled at the usual place at the usual time, to meet Steve with the fresh new club van. It’s absolutely identical to the other club van – which of course means that it’s ideally suited to 12 trampers, climbers or mountain bikers needing to drive for many hours to a road end or lodge. When I first saw the club van I thought it had been custom built exactly for the club’s needs, and I can't think of a single thing that would improve it. Some club members have fond memories of the duchess – but I confess I’m not one of them. Lying in a hot, stuffy, largely windowless cabin while we ground over the rimatakas just made me nauseous. That is, unless we were parked up at the side of the road having broken down again. I much prefer sitting in an airy van with modern aircon and damped suspension. Also there is the added security of bucket seats and seatbelts for everyone, so that you feel much safer if, as a hypothetical example, you find yourself sliding sideways down an icy road.
More on that later.
After a foggy trip to Ohakune, the skies cleared to show a fantastic vista of the mountain, beautifully lit by a full moon. The weekend was looking good, in spite of the weather forecast, which was dodgy to say the least.
Saturday saw all of us up bright and early, and after bacon and eggs we were kitted up and out by 8:30. It was warm (with some broken high cloud) and beautiful conditions for skiing and boarding, with light, calf deep powder. But that meant that it wasn't so good for walking in. Or practicing with crampons. Or practicing self arrests. Nonetheless we split into three groups (in my group was Nic, Paul, Catherine and Cecilia, led by Steve) and headed up from the lodge, keeping to the no-mans-land between the centennial chair and the west quad. What a great day! We hiked through the clear, crisp air to the gentle buzz of the snowmakers bucketing out snow over the centennial. Steve kept up a steady commentary of knowledge, advice, hints and tips as we went.
Once we'd hiked up about two-thirds of the way to the Ampitheatre, we began self arrest practice. This was easier said than done with the soft snow conditions! Nic was able to get a good speed up but the rest of us struggled. This made self arresting a little bit too easy! But we finally found a slope that was steep enough to give us the general idea.
Then we put on our crampons and practiced walking with them. It's an uncanny experience to be able to stand on steep ice and not fall down. For me, a lot of crampon use was learning to trust the steel spikes to hold me.
After an hour or two of throwing ourselves down hills, walking back up hills with spikes on, figuring out one end of an ice axe from the other, and generally getting accustomed to the challenges of a snowy, icy, steep, slippery environment, we headed back to the lodge, to talk about what we'd learned and where we'd been; as well as to play games like jenga and Five Hundred of course, and read some of the surprisingly good books that are up at the lodge. Normally you expect to find some abandoned Stephen Kings and Victoria Holts - but the lodge has great climbing and mountaineering books to keep you entertained.
After a while the other groups started filtering in, and Marie S with (** who? **) cooked us up a treat of spaghetti bolognese - and what I'm learning is a lodge specialty, the wrinkled brown not-sausage special just for the vegetarians. They followed this up with a yummy fruit crumble and we were all sated.
Sunday dawned - windy!! Really windy. I don't know just how windy but I don't think I've ever been in wind like that before. The beautiful dry powder of yesterday was getting ripped off the mountain, and probably ended up at the Chathams, the wind was howling so strongly. Conditions demanded we stay inside and concentrate on our theory, via a cutthroat, competitive quiz format. With chocolate fish from a 10 kg bag as reward.
First, we divided into teams and our first task was to come up with team names. We were encouraged to pick inspiring, heroic names from great mountaineers and their exploits. So Sharron was pretty disappointed when we ended up with the 'Mountain Goats', the 'Snow Angels', the 'HIMMS' and - Wild Man's Blubber?!
I have to say that the questioning covered areas that I didn't realise were directly connected to snowcraft and alpine techniques. For instance:
"What are three types of avalanche?"
"What are four things you should consider before beginning an alpine trip?"
"How do you mix the butter into the flour when making cheese scones?"
"What is the height of Mt Ruapehu?"
"How much flour should you use in cheese scones?"
It was a fun few hours where we learned a lot, such as the names of Marie's ice axe and crampons - Fluffy, Spike 1 and Spike 2 (not sure which crampon was which) and cleared up some dangerous misconceptions - such as the way ice forms on the windward, not the leeward side of rocks and structures, and that you never cook cheese scones in a slow oven.
After a close, tightly fought contest, the Mountain Goats were judged to have just pipped the Snow Angels to first place, and we were all sick of chocolate fish.
After the quiz session, we were all surprised and astonished to find that cheese scones were on the lunch menu! Cooked by Illona and Cecilia and yours truly. They weren't without controversy - we couldn't decide whether the cheese went into the mix, onto the top, or folded into the middle. So we compromised by putting cheese in all three places. Yum!
After lunch some of us did our only excursion of the day, to cart the rubbish out to the skips. We suited up in all of our gear with as little skin showing as possible and set off. I'm glad I wasn't walking any further than the top of the Bruce! But it was a huge contrast when we walked to the vans a couple of hours later - without the aid of crampons. What had been a fairly easy stroll with good grip underfoot turned into a slow, nerve-wracking totter down the path. The lack of grip was coupled with the wind gusts to keep that kept us constantly off balance and sliding. Once we were walking down the access road, the full force of the wind was buffetting and driving us. It was really hard to keep upright and balanced, and a few of us went for tumbles.
The journey down the hill was not without incident either. The Alpine Instruction Course van door got caught by the wind when they were putting the chains on, and now has a little dint where the door met the back bullbar. And on our way down the hill in the snowcraft van, the sidewind literally grabbed the back of the van and spun us around sideways. We must've got around about 45 degrees before Steve was able to ably pull everything back on course and get us stopped. Whew!
So what a fantastic weekend, with drama, excitement, wind, driving snow and chocolate fish. We were all eagerly anticipating the next installment in two weeks time.
Paul's photos: http://photos.pominnz.com/gallery/8891614_4qDft
Friday, July 10, 2009
Good morning on Friday - hooray - Jul 10
Hi there,
It is a lovely morning here in Wellington - no wind, light cloud and a little hint of frost. Mike is packed and ready to head off to the train station at 1700 to meet the tramping club and learn all about snowcraft. He looks very manly with his ice axe on the back of his pack.
Last night our release was cancelled due to a comms problem (no outage notifications sent out) but we were invited out by a work colleague as it was her birthday. So we went out and hurtled back to the office so Mike could finish his release and then hurtled home on the bus. From there we went to table tennis and Mike enjoyed it. I think it may be the first time he has played. He played me first, then Mum, the Kevin (the organiser), then Andrew. I had my usual night where all these good players humour me by hitting the ball back to me so I can practise lots. Suits me.
Dad had yesterday off from work with a chesty cough. Perhaps one more day off will make him heaps better? I'll head home tonight and drive over for dinner. Maybe around 6-ish.
My plans for a weekend to myself? Sleep in tomorrow. Eat fresh baked bread while I read my book. Start painting preparations - I have lots to undercoat and maybe even start some top coats if I get my act together. Mum and I were supposed to go out to a day spa on Sunday but I am unsure if that is happening or not. We shall see.
So, there you go. Have a great weekend!
Love,
Angela
It is a lovely morning here in Wellington - no wind, light cloud and a little hint of frost. Mike is packed and ready to head off to the train station at 1700 to meet the tramping club and learn all about snowcraft. He looks very manly with his ice axe on the back of his pack.
Last night our release was cancelled due to a comms problem (no outage notifications sent out) but we were invited out by a work colleague as it was her birthday. So we went out and hurtled back to the office so Mike could finish his release and then hurtled home on the bus. From there we went to table tennis and Mike enjoyed it. I think it may be the first time he has played. He played me first, then Mum, the Kevin (the organiser), then Andrew. I had my usual night where all these good players humour me by hitting the ball back to me so I can practise lots. Suits me.
Dad had yesterday off from work with a chesty cough. Perhaps one more day off will make him heaps better? I'll head home tonight and drive over for dinner. Maybe around 6-ish.
My plans for a weekend to myself? Sleep in tomorrow. Eat fresh baked bread while I read my book. Start painting preparations - I have lots to undercoat and maybe even start some top coats if I get my act together. Mum and I were supposed to go out to a day spa on Sunday but I am unsure if that is happening or not. We shall see.
So, there you go. Have a great weekend!
Love,
Angela
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Good morning on Thurs, July 9
Hi,
What a strange day without wee Toby. He had such an exciting time that he had a sleep during the day. I can't recall when he did that last. The funny thing was, his sleep was on a hard bench at McDonalds in Dunedin where he was having lunch with Mike's parents. How tired was he? Apparently Mike's parents had an enforced stay at Maccas for 1.5 hours while Toby dreamed of Go Go Crazy Bones (the new toy he has wanted for ages - and I think he now has).
Mike and I had all our meals out yesterday, culminating in the GP where we had a fabulous meal! Then home to get Mike's boots and off to tramping club. He had his crampons fitted and has his ice axe - all for the weekend on Mt Ruapehu where he's learning snowcraft.
Tonight we have a release (both of us - no babysitter required) and then we're off to table tennis.
Dad seems to be quite sick with a cough. I hope he feels better soon - I wouldn't be surprised if he's off work today. If he's feeling a wee bit better, we should book dinner for tomorrow night (just the three of us as Mike will be off to the mountain) at the GP. No oysters (that's what Mum is after) but the food was superb.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
What a strange day without wee Toby. He had such an exciting time that he had a sleep during the day. I can't recall when he did that last. The funny thing was, his sleep was on a hard bench at McDonalds in Dunedin where he was having lunch with Mike's parents. How tired was he? Apparently Mike's parents had an enforced stay at Maccas for 1.5 hours while Toby dreamed of Go Go Crazy Bones (the new toy he has wanted for ages - and I think he now has).
Mike and I had all our meals out yesterday, culminating in the GP where we had a fabulous meal! Then home to get Mike's boots and off to tramping club. He had his crampons fitted and has his ice axe - all for the weekend on Mt Ruapehu where he's learning snowcraft.
Tonight we have a release (both of us - no babysitter required) and then we're off to table tennis.
Dad seems to be quite sick with a cough. I hope he feels better soon - I wouldn't be surprised if he's off work today. If he's feeling a wee bit better, we should book dinner for tomorrow night (just the three of us as Mike will be off to the mountain) at the GP. No oysters (that's what Mum is after) but the food was superb.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Good morning on Wed, Jul 8
Hi,
We are officially without Toby. We dropped him and Nana off at Wellington airport this morning after a 5.15am wake up. Yawn. Wee Toby was very excited. I had coached him not to cry but also not to be too cheerful about leaving me and he perfected the exact look I was after as he held Nana's hand through the gate. A wrinkled brow and a slight pout of the lip and a downwards cast of his eyes as he turned away. He may be an actor yet.
He had a good day yesterday with a day off from Skids. My parents took him to the school dental service and he got a clean bill of health from her. Excellent news. He then had a nice time with Mum and Dad till we got him at 7pm. Mike's Mum finally popped in to see my parents place and we had a cup of tea before we went home.
Mike's mother visited Vivienne yesterday and went for a walk with Ramble who sounds like he is getting well trained in walking behaviour.
Tonight is tramping night and tomorrow night is table tennis after my release at work. Mike will come along too for the first time to have a play. :-)
Ok. Time to get stuck into work.
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
We are officially without Toby. We dropped him and Nana off at Wellington airport this morning after a 5.15am wake up. Yawn. Wee Toby was very excited. I had coached him not to cry but also not to be too cheerful about leaving me and he perfected the exact look I was after as he held Nana's hand through the gate. A wrinkled brow and a slight pout of the lip and a downwards cast of his eyes as he turned away. He may be an actor yet.
He had a good day yesterday with a day off from Skids. My parents took him to the school dental service and he got a clean bill of health from her. Excellent news. He then had a nice time with Mum and Dad till we got him at 7pm. Mike's Mum finally popped in to see my parents place and we had a cup of tea before we went home.
Mike's mother visited Vivienne yesterday and went for a walk with Ramble who sounds like he is getting well trained in walking behaviour.
Tonight is tramping night and tomorrow night is table tennis after my release at work. Mike will come along too for the first time to have a play. :-)
Ok. Time to get stuck into work.
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Good morning on Tues, Jul 7
Hi,
A lovely evening. I made sausage casserole for the first time in ages and Toby declared he would eat his and anyone else's that didn't finish theirs. So it was quite a hit. Toby has an 8pm school holiday sleeping time so we seemed to be up quite late. I guess by the time we read and he reads in bed after that it is quite late.
Mike's mother had fun looking after Toby I think. He also seemed very happy. He's off to Challenge Day at Skids today - I think they get to play board games and do puzzles. Mum and Dad will collect him at 1.30pm for the school dentist. Ron would like them to ask the dentist if Toby can have an x-ray to check for decay between his teeth (and if we can get the x-rays and take them to Dunedin to show his Dad) and development is proceeding fine (mainly because Toby lost three bottom teeth but only two have come back - but I think one coming in pushed out two because it was a bit crooked).
I may go out to the quiz with Lesley tonight - or not. Toby said I could only go if I bribe him.
So, busy day ahead. Toby's last full day with us and then he's off tomorrow morning to Dunedin for a week.
Have a marvellous day.
Love,
Angela
A lovely evening. I made sausage casserole for the first time in ages and Toby declared he would eat his and anyone else's that didn't finish theirs. So it was quite a hit. Toby has an 8pm school holiday sleeping time so we seemed to be up quite late. I guess by the time we read and he reads in bed after that it is quite late.
Mike's mother had fun looking after Toby I think. He also seemed very happy. He's off to Challenge Day at Skids today - I think they get to play board games and do puzzles. Mum and Dad will collect him at 1.30pm for the school dentist. Ron would like them to ask the dentist if Toby can have an x-ray to check for decay between his teeth (and if we can get the x-rays and take them to Dunedin to show his Dad) and development is proceeding fine (mainly because Toby lost three bottom teeth but only two have come back - but I think one coming in pushed out two because it was a bit crooked).
I may go out to the quiz with Lesley tonight - or not. Toby said I could only go if I bribe him.
So, busy day ahead. Toby's last full day with us and then he's off tomorrow morning to Dunedin for a week.
Have a marvellous day.
Love,
Angela
Monday, July 6, 2009
Good morning on Mon, Jul 6
Hi,
First day of school holidays. Toby is very pleased they have started. He is at home with a leisurely start to the day when Mike's mother will take him to Skids for his school holiday programme. He's there today and tomorrow and then off to Dunedin for the next 8 days.
Our weekend was great fun. Saturday we went to the last swimming for the term and then wandered around chasing various messages all over town (well, that was how it felt).
Sunday was Andrew's party at their house and we caught up with quite a few people. Mike picked his mother up from the airport and she came along too. All good fun.
Mike's presentation went well on Friday. I evaluated his talk before it started and gave him an "excellent". Heheheh. Bias? What bias? He talked well without any notes and finished on time - unlike many presentations I went to!
Now we're into the week again. Phew!
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
First day of school holidays. Toby is very pleased they have started. He is at home with a leisurely start to the day when Mike's mother will take him to Skids for his school holiday programme. He's there today and tomorrow and then off to Dunedin for the next 8 days.
Our weekend was great fun. Saturday we went to the last swimming for the term and then wandered around chasing various messages all over town (well, that was how it felt).
Sunday was Andrew's party at their house and we caught up with quite a few people. Mike picked his mother up from the airport and she came along too. All good fun.
Mike's presentation went well on Friday. I evaluated his talk before it started and gave him an "excellent". Heheheh. Bias? What bias? He talked well without any notes and finished on time - unlike many presentations I went to!
Now we're into the week again. Phew!
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
Friday, July 3, 2009
Good morning on Friday July 3
Happy birthday to Andrew, happy birthday to Andrew, happy birthday to you! For yesterday.
I already know that one of the things I'm about to recommend, one of the other speakers has said never, ever to do. Bring it on! We might have to settle that one outside.
The 2009 Wellington Sharepoint conference has been really, REALLY good so far. Really polished, great speakers, something for everyone. This was the inaugural conference, I really hope it's the first of many.
Thankyou to Angela and Margo for missing table tennis so I could keep going at the conference last night. I'm getting a lot out of all the side events - I came that close to having dinner with Joel Oleson! (Joel Oleson is the Alison Holst of the sharepoint world.)
I've also bailed on my tramp this weekend so that I can stay for after-conference drinks and more chatting with people. It was already looking dodgy since my presentation is the very last one, and it was going to go until 15 mins after I was supposed to have left, anyway. And there is going to be heavy rain, snow to 900m and the rivers will be high.
OK, time for me to get out of bed, get to work, do some prep before the sessions kick off at 9am.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Good morning on Thurs, July 2
Hi,
Quite a lovely morning here in Wellington - very still and a bit frosty. Mike and I are at a conference in town for today and tomorrow. Mum will collect wee Toby from school and feed him on both days. And it is table tennis night so we'll be having fun later on too. Hooray! (Oh - I'll be late to table tennis next Thursday as I have a release - yes, another one).
So, not much to report. Karate was fine although Toby was bouncing off the walls and had to stand in the corner at one stage as he didn't listen to warnings. He did apologise afterwards to his teacher and he'll try harder next time. His excuse was that he loves it so much he was too excited. Ok.
So, have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Quite a lovely morning here in Wellington - very still and a bit frosty. Mike and I are at a conference in town for today and tomorrow. Mum will collect wee Toby from school and feed him on both days. And it is table tennis night so we'll be having fun later on too. Hooray! (Oh - I'll be late to table tennis next Thursday as I have a release - yes, another one).
So, not much to report. Karate was fine although Toby was bouncing off the walls and had to stand in the corner at one stage as he didn't listen to warnings. He did apologise afterwards to his teacher and he'll try harder next time. His excuse was that he loves it so much he was too excited. Ok.
So, have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Good morning on Wed, Jul 1
Hi,
Well, it was a busy night for the Gilberts and lucky our dinner out was cancelled otherwise we both would have been no-shows anyway. My release went ok - could have been better but the site seems to work. Well, it looks great in every browser but IE7. And even then it seems to figure out how it is supposed to work in IE7 most of the time. Stupid browsers. So it took me longer than anticipated to finish.
Then once I got home Mike was in the thick of a production problem with another website and that kept him entertained until after 10pm.
So, we did have a busy time of it. I heard from some of you that looked at the new website. Karen even printed out how it looked before and after. Heheheh.
We heard from friends of ours that had a wee boy on Monday. Mike and Karen have a third child. Wee Jacob. So Toby and I are off to see them this weekend to say hello to the new wee chap.
Mike will probably be off tramping. I say probably because his leader says it is in doubt at this point. The snow is down to 900m and the rivers are high. So it leaves little scope for getting to the first hut in the dark on Friday night. Thursday the leaders will make the call on whether the tramp goes ahead or not.
Mike has been training at work for it all anyway. He climbed over 60 flights of stairs in our building yesterday - with a 10kg backpack. Yes - he is mad.
So, that is it for now. Karate night tonight so I'll ride home and collect wee Toby. I think Mum may pick him up from school and get him ready (Oh - his Gi is in the linen cupboard).
Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela
Well, it was a busy night for the Gilberts and lucky our dinner out was cancelled otherwise we both would have been no-shows anyway. My release went ok - could have been better but the site seems to work. Well, it looks great in every browser but IE7. And even then it seems to figure out how it is supposed to work in IE7 most of the time. Stupid browsers. So it took me longer than anticipated to finish.
Then once I got home Mike was in the thick of a production problem with another website and that kept him entertained until after 10pm.
So, we did have a busy time of it. I heard from some of you that looked at the new website. Karen even printed out how it looked before and after. Heheheh.
We heard from friends of ours that had a wee boy on Monday. Mike and Karen have a third child. Wee Jacob. So Toby and I are off to see them this weekend to say hello to the new wee chap.
Mike will probably be off tramping. I say probably because his leader says it is in doubt at this point. The snow is down to 900m and the rivers are high. So it leaves little scope for getting to the first hut in the dark on Friday night. Thursday the leaders will make the call on whether the tramp goes ahead or not.
Mike has been training at work for it all anyway. He climbed over 60 flights of stairs in our building yesterday - with a 10kg backpack. Yes - he is mad.
So, that is it for now. Karate night tonight so I'll ride home and collect wee Toby. I think Mum may pick him up from school and get him ready (Oh - his Gi is in the linen cupboard).
Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)