August trip to NZ

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Judy's Trekabout

Went to Tokoroa in NZ and spent some time with friends, then headed to Christchurch to spend time with my family, caught up with all the cousins and had a great time. Then headed back up to Tokoroa, had some things to do, here are some photos of the trip, not a lot as ChCh was the only time I had for photography.

Bridge of Remembrance

Downtown bus station, ChCh.

Beautiful art on walls from destruction of the Quake.

The Avon river along the banks of the Bridge of Remembrance, really lovely.

Cathedral still in ruins. ChCh

Cousins place

My cousin and the lovely views

This white wall has all the peoples names engraved on it from the Earthquake, those who lost there lives.

Little eateries have popped up everywhere since the rebuild after the Earthquake.

On the way back from Little River.

Move over here we come, doing the scenic Tram trip around ChCh

Bridge of Remembrance, hire bikes.

Tram line in ChCh

Te Waihou walk along the stream, this goes through private property but allowed.

Buttercup flowers, Te Waihou

Kowhai tree in flower, these have the most beautiful scent.

Sunday 29th Day 5

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Judy's Trekabout

I was up early and got the fire going, it was still burning under the ashes from last night. It started to rain, yipeee, but didn’t last long. We got organized and headed off to do the second half of the mine, 65 feet down. Was great. Got out after 3 hours, I was so cold, came back to camp and had lunch then off to door the Green door tour. Suns out, but windy. Saw the Cactus Garden, I felt really dwarfed amoungst the cactus, some are so tall. Went to art gallery David Braddock, his dad was an artist from NZ. Did Amigos castle. The mine images are with no flash and are not that clear, but it shows what its like down there.

Desert flowers, I dont know their correct name. Red door signs. Cactus Garden. Some of the cactus are up to 200 years old, the round ones are called Mother n laws pin cushion. Read some of the signs they are awesome. Heading out to Grawin and the Hilton. So baron. The 19th hole of the golf course. Miners residence. Lot of dirt moved from under ground and washed all for opals. This is what its all about. The Hilton. Was a lovely meal. Thought this was a great idea, lights up the path at night. Read the sign. Heading back to camp, if these walls could talk.

Saturday 28th Day 4

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Judy's Trekabout

Got a sunset of sorts, lots of cloud, there will be no seeing the moon eclipse. It has been spitting, not even enough to damped down the dust.Went to go for hot swim but as usual far to hot for safety, dont know why they dont do something about them, even artisan waters can be cooled. Went down the Chambers of the Black Hand Mine, the art works were incredible.

One of the cabins you can rent. Mine shafts along side of road, no wonder they say watch where you walk. Mullock heaps from the mining. You can see the mine shafts. View from up where the Can and Bottle house is.

Friday 27th Day 3

Posted on August 5, 2018 by Judy's Trekabout

Our bunkhouse looks like old stables, very comfortable and quirky. The Opal festival is on and town is packed, which is great as the drought is really bad so any money spent in the town it helps. Its not just the farmers suffering, its their workers etc. Ripple effect. Went and saw John Murray’s gallery, wonderful art. Bought a few pieces of rough opal. Got back to camp and chatting with a couple whom came from the town I lived in, in NZ. Went up the mullock heap out the back and what an amazing view. Took some photos, heaps of miners huts/houses.

From the Mullock heap looking at some miners places. Again from top of Mullock heap, camp is on the horizon. This is the dreaded Hudson Pear Cactus. Looking up at the Mullock heap.