Hi,
What a huge week of fun. Thank you to everyone that contributed to such an awesome week. Jason - thank you so much for looking after the cats so we could go away for the week.
Friday morning we ubered to the airport happily. We had left a lot of gear in Chc last ski trip so we did not have a super bit amount of gear at this end of the trip.
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| Airport iced latte |
We had an Ugly Bagel and coffee while Kara got to the airport and met her post security checks. As she arrived they opened the gate - perfect timing. Nice quick flight to Chc.
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| Chc iced latte at Strange Bandit |
We landed at about 8.45am Friday morning and got collected by Toby and Tessa. We did have fun squashing 5 people into the RAV4 with all our luggage and Mike's snowboard. Got to Strange Bandit for brekkie and Mike headed to work after that.
We checked into the Coachman - a new bedroom unit for us. And then went to the Quake Museum for an excellent look back at the big earthquakes in Sept 2010 and Feb 2011. So sobering.
We wandered around Riverside after the museum - had Tapas at some upstairs bar. Very nice. And then back to change at our room and I went to City Fitness to run while I waited for Mike to finish work.
We did a bit of a tour around Chc - over to Lyttleton and saw snow on the far port hills. Went to some indoor market thing - and got some stuff from an old fashioned apothecary. Went to a second hand clothes shop. Then back to Sumner beach for a wee walk.
About 100m into our walk, we came across a Leopard Seal lying on the beach. I have never seen one in the wild before at all.
After our ski trip I saw this in Stuff: Leopard seal was sick So she was unfortunately euthanised a week after we saw her. What a beautiful animal. She yawned while we watched and her mouth was huge and full of sharp teeth like a tiger. Amazing to have seen that.
Sunday saw us at the Quad Eatery for some brekkie and we wandered through to see Rutherford's lab where he worked when he was at UC.
After Toby finished work, we picked him up and got him some skis at Snowmania. Then we headed to Methven with Kara. Found the house at 45 Morgan St and the fire was going and we had some chocolate to eat too. Thank you!
Up early Monday to make lunches and head up the maunga. We got away a tad late at 8:10am but still got into the top car park easily. It is about 40 mins to the top from Methven.
We had such a good day skiing. The fog cleared away at about 11am and it was good snow and great weather. Sunny, no wind. Toby, Mike and I had such fun skiing. Toby did Fascination for the first time. And did it 2 or 3 times. Wow! He was amazing.
Back for home made burgers and some YouTube.
Mike and I took Toby home Tuesday night. 1 hour to get there from Methven at that time of the day. Picked up Tessa from uni and dropped them home and then we drove back to Methven.
We all went to the ōpuke spa after skiing. 6pm to 8pm. So nice to relax and eat in the pools. Off to bed after that for a good sleep. We got a voucher for Kara's birthday for this spa place - and she used that to join us. So good.
Up to do it all again Thursday. But we packed up and checked out. Kara stayed at the house until the cleaners came. We were up at the maunga having a good ski day on firm and sometimes icy conditions. Mike was on his board for this day.
Skied with Ana and Daniel for a bit. Mike was back on skis. We did a few runs. Mike explored Rakaia Chutes so Ana also went to check them out. Breakable crust was the verdict.
Saturday saw me and Mike at Riverlution park run. And then little Poms with Toby and Tessa for brekkie. Tessa had to leave for her Music Soc camp.
Sunday saw us me and Mike do a run around the local streets in Riccarton before checking out and going to Joe's Garage.
Mike and I tried to get the RAV4 roof rails on. We found an identical car with them fitted. Took measurements.
Turns out the 2006 RAV4 is 15 cm shorter than the 2008-2012 RAV4. So the bars just do not fit.
Went to buy ski helmets for me and Toby. Smith one. $299 for Mips. Hopefully they are good for a few years to come.
Tessa met us at Punky Brewster and we ate some food before Toby dropped us off at the airport. 3 big bags of gear. Phew. Landed at Wlg and ordered a bit boot Uber. And a Forester came to take us home!
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| Quake museum |
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| Toby powers a video on a bike at the Quake Museum |
We wandered around Riverside after the museum - had Tapas at some upstairs bar. Very nice. And then back to change at our room and I went to City Fitness to run while I waited for Mike to finish work.
Up Saturday to head to park Run. But it was wet. So we ended up at Little Poms enjoying coffee. The others came to meet us there for brekkie.
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| Little Poms |
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| Rain meant no park run for us |
We did a bit of a tour around Chc - over to Lyttleton and saw snow on the far port hills. Went to some indoor market thing - and got some stuff from an old fashioned apothecary. Went to a second hand clothes shop. Then back to Sumner beach for a wee walk.
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| Some pub near Ferrymead |
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| Sumner beach walk |
About 100m into our walk, we came across a Leopard Seal lying on the beach. I have never seen one in the wild before at all.
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| Leopard seal on the beach |
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| First one I have seen in the wild |
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| We all climb rocks to get a better look |
After our ski trip I saw this in Stuff: Leopard seal was sick So she was unfortunately euthanised a week after we saw her. What a beautiful animal. She yawned while we watched and her mouth was huge and full of sharp teeth like a tiger. Amazing to have seen that.
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| Beautiful beach |
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| Rainbows |
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| We walk towards the rainbow |
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| Iced latte |
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| Iced latte at the Quad Eatery |
Sunday saw us at the Quad Eatery for some brekkie and we wandered through to see Rutherford's lab where he worked when he was at UC.
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| Mike is Rutherford |
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| In a lecture theatre |
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| Beautiful |
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| Mike and sculpture |
After Toby finished work, we picked him up and got him some skis at Snowmania. Then we headed to Methven with Kara. Found the house at 45 Morgan St and the fire was going and we had some chocolate to eat too. Thank you!
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| Toby and the RAV4 in Methven. 45 Morgan St |
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| By the fire |
Up early Monday to make lunches and head up the maunga. We got away a tad late at 8:10am but still got into the top car park easily. It is about 40 mins to the top from Methven.
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| Monday ski day |
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| Me and Toby |
We had such a good day skiing. The fog cleared away at about 11am and it was good snow and great weather. Sunny, no wind. Toby, Mike and I had such fun skiing. Toby did Fascination for the first time. And did it 2 or 3 times. Wow! He was amazing.
Back to the house after a fantastic day. Kara had pottered around the house and got her home work all ready to do for the week ahead. Out to the Blue Pub for tea and then home to bed.
Tuesday was a murky day so we stayed in Methven with Toby and Kara. Mike and I went for a run to the Enchanted Forest. And then brekkie in town. Went for a drive to Rakaia Gorge and did the river walk there. Skimmed some stones.
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| Run on Tuesday |
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| Iced latte in Methven Eatery cafe |
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| Rakaia Gorge walk |
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| Kara and I wave down at the boys |
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| Skimming stones |
Back for home made burgers and some YouTube.
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| This chap in the audience of a RocketLab launch looks like Toby |
Mike and I took Toby home Tuesday night. 1 hour to get there from Methven at that time of the day. Picked up Tessa from uni and dropped them home and then we drove back to Methven.
Up for a ski day Wednesday. Me and Mike - Mike on Skis again. Such a good day. I did Reservoir Dogs - a red run! Woot. Loved Virgin Mile. Did Fascination a few times too.
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| Driving |
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| Sunrise over Mt Hutt Road |
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| Glorious day on Virgin Mile |
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| Selfie time |
We all went to the ōpuke spa after skiing. 6pm to 8pm. So nice to relax and eat in the pools. Off to bed after that for a good sleep. We got a voucher for Kara's birthday for this spa place - and she used that to join us. So good.
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| Sunrise |
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| Me at the base |
Up to do it all again Thursday. But we packed up and checked out. Kara stayed at the house until the cleaners came. We were up at the maunga having a good ski day on firm and sometimes icy conditions. Mike was on his board for this day.
Came down after a good day to find out the key to the house had gone missing. Kara had left when the cleaners came - but didn't do anything with the key. Which was in the front door. So goodness knows what actually happened to it.
Drove back to Chc Thurs evening and checked into our usual Unit 2 at the Coachman. I stayed home and the others went to some meat pub. Hahahah.
Friday we drove to Mt Hutt - me and Mike. We left at 7am and went to Rollestonf or Maccas and petrol and we were in the top car park on a busy Friday. We were 10 cars behind Ana and Daniel and ended up parking so close to them.
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| In the lift queue on Friday with Ana |
Skied with Ana and Daniel for a bit. Mike was back on skis. We did a few runs. Mike explored Rakaia Chutes so Ana also went to check them out. Breakable crust was the verdict.
Friday saw Kara head to the airport for her flight home. We are so glad she still came for our now-traditional ski week. Thank you Kara.
I stopped skiing around 2pm and read with Daniel in the cafe. Then back to Chc for a quick change and pick up of Toby and Tessa and then back to dinner in Rolleston with Ana and Daniel. They took us to this fantastic south Indian place. So good. Everything was delicious.
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| Back in Chc |
Saturday saw me and Mike at Riverlution park run. And then little Poms with Toby and Tessa for brekkie. Tessa had to leave for her Music Soc camp.
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| Little Poms |
Sunday saw us me and Mike do a run around the local streets in Riccarton before checking out and going to Joe's Garage.
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| Joe's Garage Sunday |
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| Iced latte at Joe's - with the rugby on! |
Mike and I tried to get the RAV4 roof rails on. We found an identical car with them fitted. Took measurements.
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| Another RAV4 with roof rails |
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| Our car |
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| Their car |
Turns out the 2006 RAV4 is 15 cm shorter than the 2008-2012 RAV4. So the bars just do not fit.
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| At Punky Brewster |
Went to buy ski helmets for me and Toby. Smith one. $299 for Mips. Hopefully they are good for a few years to come.
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| On our flight home |
Tessa met us at Punky Brewster and we ate some food before Toby dropped us off at the airport. 3 big bags of gear. Phew. Landed at Wlg and ordered a bit boot Uber. And a Forester came to take us home!
The cats were good. The house is nice and clean. Thank you Jase!
Right. Time for the week. See what crazy has happened.
Take care and enjoy your week.
Love,
Angela
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