Day 6

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Judy's Trekabout

Friday 27th

Went into Warwick to get some stores, it rained last night and on our way back from Warwick you could see the storms brewing, fork lightning, black clouds. When we got back Kay said that it had really rained which we could tell, then only a few showers and now all fined up. So good for the country side, they need rain very badly.

Went to get some photo’s of birds down by the water hole and the chap came down to where we were going to sit on the log which we had been doing before and said there is a python carpet snake sitting in there, he showed us, we got some photo’s and then moved away to the water. It was beautiful and very curled up, reckon about 6 feet long.

When we came back up to the trailer, Don noticed a small frog jump out by the fire pit, then another and then when we started really looking there was like a migration, so many all along the bank right up to Kay’s site. So tiny, didn’t know what sort they were as hard to tell when very small, i’m talking about as small as my thumb nail.

Made a Gluten Free bread in the camp oven yesterday, turned out bad, burn’t the bum out it, far to much in the small camp oven, and the coals were to hot in the fire, so made another one today, and only ¼ of the amount, turned out good to look at, bad to eat, then I knew that it still has to rise, so tomorrow I will try again but do it in the Weber. I will get it right sooner or later.

Mark is doing a big casserole in the camp oven for all of us, and I have we just realized that there is mushrooms in it and Don can’t eat them, so he will do something else for himself.

Looking at K & M site from our site, posting this to show how roomy it is. Our site from the entrance, we have neighbours on the right side, but still plenty of room. K & M site is to the left of this image. K & M site from the bottom of entrance. M & K sitting back relaxing, our site in the background. To the left of where Mark is sitting was a Red Bellied black snake today. This is a carpet snake of some sorts, just bathing in the sun, warming up, there are heaps of little birds in this area, so plenty of prey for him I imagine. A frog in the grass in daylight. He is the Lesueur’s Tree Frog.

Day 2

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Judy's Trekabout

Monday 23rd

I awoke to the sounds of many Kookaburra’s, such a great sound, then all the other birds started. Birds like wrens, the wee Honey eaters and the Crimson Rosella’s.

Got up at 6 am made a cuppa and just sat back and listened, the sounds were great.

Had breakfast then cleaned up, went for a bit of a walk and saw our neighbours, had a bit of a hello and wondered back, had morning tea.

We then took a drive up to the rainforest, just lovely, did one of the walks, called Sylvester Lookout, very steep.
It was nice and cool in the rainforest, we came home had lunch and then the heat got up again, but we have a wee breeze.

Went and mucked around with the birds here taking photos, got fire wood etc, was a nice relaxing afternoon.

Azure Kingfisher, we found that this is one of the spots he fishes from.

What a lovely walk, very steep, heaps of birds, all very high in the canopy, but the view at the look out was very hazy but must be amazing on a clear day, worth the effort.

This is rain forest under growth, and the smell is so nice, all the different forest scents.

This is a White Napped Honey Eater, have not seen one of these before, they are very pretty. Don over the other side of creek. Nankeen Night Heron. They had been harrowing the paddock. The old gate. Still worked though. Female Bower visiting us, they are so nosy when they get use to you being around.

Gordon Country Trip.

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Judy's Trekabout

Sunday 22nd Dec 2013

Got up at 5 am and started to get organized to head off.

My daughter gave us a ring to say they were heading on down to Aratula, this is where we are all meeting. Kay and Mark have decided to bring their camper and set it up so we are all together, then they go home for 2 days work and come back. We can watch the camper for them.

Okay, Kay and Mark arrived early so they came on thru to the Gordon Country which was great, they got to drive around and picked out the best spots, we all love the same thing as far as camping goes, they did well, we have a very quiet, some shade, by the river, not much of a flow, but there is water, lots of birds, so we are happy little photographers. 🙂

Once we were all set up and had a quick chat, Kay and Mark headed off home.

We got about having lunch, sorted out where everything is to be and it got very hot, about 38 degrees.

When it cooled down we went for fire wood, etc and just relaxed the rest of the afternoon.

Had tea once it cooled down, had a wee fire as it cooled off very quickly, amazing one minute you are sweating the next its cool, but very pleasant.

Had a great night sleep, everything wide open and there was a good breeze all night.

This is the set up for the next two weeks.

Inside of the awning and our living area.

Nice big sites and well away from each other.

Looking out at the view and this is our back yard for two weeks 🙂

Other side of the cub camper.

Weekend away Charlie Morelands.

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Judy's Trekabout

November 1st Friday — 3rd Sunday

Well we had time to go away for 2 nights so the camper trailer was all but packed, we’er out of here by 10.30 am on the Friday. Charlie Morelands is quiet close and such a relaxing time up there. The bird life and small critters are awesome for photography, we had some friends arriving on the Saturday that love the nature and wildlife so a good time will be had. Very dry but still water in Yabbie Creek so that’s always nice to cool off in. Here are a few shots of some of the birds I saw over the 3 days.

Thrush, very hard to spot unless they move. Amazing camouflage. Eastern Yellow Robin with grub in mouth. I think this is a Spectacled Monarch, they are so vibrant in colour, very small. Tree Creeper of some sorts, yet to name it. Another Tree creeper of sorts. Lewin’s Honey Eater. Azure Kingfisher with food in its beak. Srub Wren

Back to Christchurch. Homeward Bound.

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Judy's Trekabout

Wednesday through to Saturday, the end of a wonderful holiday.

Woke to a lovely sunny day, white frost on the ground so pretty. We did all our bits and cleaned up before heading to Christchurch. On the drive towards Christchurch I have noticed how early all the blossoms are out, and bunches of Daffadills on the side of roads and in farmers paddocks really a lovely sight. We arrived at my cousins place at 2.30 pm so for the next couple of days we will be visiting hospital, cleaning camper and emptying and refilling everything before taking it back on Friday. Friday night all my whanau came around and we had a feed together, was great catching up with those that could make it.

This was taken while we were driving, heading back to my cousins place in Christchurch.

Saturday 4th

Was a rough flight home as a front was heading from Australia towards the west coast of NZ, all is well, we got home. Was a great holiday, look forward to the next trip.

Moeriki Boulders.

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Judy's Trekabout

Tuesday 28th August.

Down at the boulders very early, very cold but no wind or rain so yipppeee. Well the sunrise was nothing to yippee about but still got some ok shots, practised with the 400 ND filter to fog the water. Get to carried away I ended up with sea water in my ski boots just to get the right shot, as one does, so painful when the water is like ice, so headed back up the track to camper, had brekky and then started to rinse the salt water off tripod and boots, did a wash and did a run out to the bird hide up at the light house at Moeriki what a lovely drive thru the farmlands. Got to the bird hide thinking this was going to be a waste of time, and being 3 pm BUT, what a surprise, only there for a very short time and saw a yellow eyed penguin coming out of the water, then another, they only have a short stroll up a sandy patch past the Hooker sea lions and into the cover, but the conservation have made all these little A frame as houses for them and they use them so neat. We where just sitting there very quietly and all of a sudden heard a penguin call right under the window, so it was just about to close, so beautiful we just sat there watching it, he knew we were there, but stayed very quiet and only whispered. In this small area we saw, the penguins, Hooker sea loins on the rocks, Molly hawks, wax eyes and green-eyed spotted shags, I really thought it was a waste of time, so you can imagine how thrilled we were, was worth the climb down, but now we have to climb back out. When we got back to camp the washing was dried so now we can hit the road.. Saw a Mopoke on the side of road on some road kill, most unusual this time of day and in sun. It was getting late so decided we would pull of at the next camping or free spot, at St Andrew’s old show grounds there were camping signs so in we go, well what a neat place, just like a paddock with some power, suits us. $15 a night powered. Now 5. 20 pm tired so much excitement. Have just found out my cousin has been taken to hospital for heart attack so we will be going straight thru to Christchurch tomorrow.

This photo was taken before the sun rose, the light was unbelievable, this is a wonderland.

These children look quiet small as the boulders are very large.

Off to the Albatross Colony.

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Judy's Trekabout

Monday 27th August.

8.40 am and on the road again heading to Dunedin, going to the Albatross colony. Wow, what a shock heading into Dunedin and out to the Otago Peninsula, traffic, hate it, we have been bush to long, but called into see the Lanarch Castle, not impressed, you have to pay even to go into the gardens so we got out of there. Went to Sandfly Bay, sea lions were laying on the beach, the wind was sooooo strong and sooooooooooooo bitterly cold we chose not to go down the hill to the beach only stayed at the lookout. Very overcast as well. By the time we walked back to the camper it was drizzling and felt like sleet, bbbbbrrrrrrrr. When we got to Taiaroa Heads the winds haven’t changed, lovely drive around the water’s edge, which is the harbour of Dunedin. They are doing a lot of alterations to the walk ways as there has been some slips. But we still went where we could, got to see a couple of juvenile albatross’ soaring in the air above the light house. Saw Green eyed spotted Shags, they are really pretty and have some very funny antic’s, so did a couple of short video’s with my camera. We have just heard that there is storm warnings out for the area, no wonder it’s so windy and cold. It’s pouring with rain on the west coast, just been speaking with my sister-in-law. Went up to the Lodge Cafe and had a bit to eat, what a view on a nice day. Off we go, could not tolerate the traffic once we got back onto the road into Dunedin, so made the decision to high tale it to no 1 highway. Head to Moeriki Boulders. Got to the camping grounds, really nice place, $29 powered site, went to get some shots of the boulders before sunset, pretty dark but gave us the pre look before we come back pre dawn. We made a decision to head back onto Christchurch after here rather than go Omarama way. We thought we saw lightning, but was speaking to the owner and it’s called Fire storm like auroras, real pretty.

This is on the road out to the Otago peninsula, lovely steep rolling green hills.

This Green Eyed Spotted Shag was really giving me a show with all sorts of dances trying to attract a mate.

Penguins at Roaring Bay.

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Judy's Trekabout

Saturday 25th August.

We were up before the alarm 5.30 am as I could hear the Penguins calling, when we got down there they were already on the move, but luck has it they moved as slow this morning as they did last night so we got to sit and just watch and listen, 2 1/2 hours later the sunrise which is at 7.45 am was no good, to much cloud but it’s not windy so not to cold. Real honour to sit and watch these beautiful creatures. Back at camp 9 am for brekky. Walked around the camp and check it all out, this place is awesome and has so much character, toilets are made of split pine and corrugated iron, showers and kitchen are made inside big concrete water tanks and all unisex. Lovely paintings on the outside. On our way to McLean falls we saw a sign saying the smallest Niagara Falls, so we turned off to take a look, bit of a joke really maybe great in the wet season, but they are saying they are NZ Niagara Falls, nothing like it. It was interesting though along the river banks there are like little cribs along side on the banks and the whitebait fishermen stay in them when the whitebait are running. We did the walk into Maclean Falls, about a 20 min walk each way, takes us longer as there is so many photo’s to take, such a lovely spot. Got back to the camper at 2.30 pm and had lunch at the car park. Carried onto Purakanunui Falls, these are beautiful. Got to Nugget Point, the drive in is beautiful, saw Penguins at Roaring Bay but it got a bit dark so will get down first thing in the morning, we are free camping in the car park at Nugget Point. Big day today.

These falls are the Lower McClean’s falls.

These trees are just so colourful, they are called Kotukutuku or Fuchsia Native Tree.

Sunday 26th

Rained most of the night but woke to the sun shinning. We walked out to the Nugget Point Light house, quiet step in places and it was very early so not to warm, it’s only 2 km return, amazing rock formations out at the point. We had brekky and hit the road. Drove along the coast to Kaka Point, called into the van park to fill up with water, ran into a young couple that we had been talking to at Penguin Cove, they said it’s so nice here, only $27 a night for power so will remember that for future, kitchen was big and very homely. The bird life, they had all sorts. Took some photo’s of the Balclutha bridge, got some food from New World and filled up, we are heading for Mosgiel. Arrived at the Mosgiel Show grounds, they have a wee camping ground here and it’s really lovely, small, $27 for powered which is pretty standard, but the washing machines, dryers and showers are free, kitchen has everything for one to use, the shower is like having a massage, wonderful place, here I caught up with my nephew. Did a big wash, cook up for the next few days and used their showers, so feel pretty normal again.

Up half an hour before sun up and as we headed to the lighthouse the golden glow was awesome and the lighting was magic, worth the effort.

Heading to the Bluff.

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Judy's Trekabout

Thursday 23rd August.

Up earlier this morning and had our breakfast, cleaned up and hit the road. Had a few stops along the way to Haast, did some water falls, but not a lot of water flowing at the moment, we have noticed all the lake levels are low, the locals are saying the it’s been real poor with snow levels and even though they get a lot of rain, the amount of snow melts really does help the dam levels. We have clear skies, stopped at Lake Hawea and had lunch down at the lake, it really is a magic spot. Saw Rocky Range and called into Butchers Dam and Lake Dunstan has lovely reflections it’s on the way to Cromwell, in the Roxborough area. Stayed at Miller’s flat camp ground, $14 each, nice clean spot, bit run down, the owners are lovely.

Lake Dunstan and it’s lovely reflections. Smoke from fire in the background adds to the moodiness of the scene.

This is the view as we headed over the Haast Pass and heading towards Wanaka.

Friday 24th

Woke to a frost, even the water out of the hose in the tap is hanging out by about 10 inch and is frozen. 8.14 am and ready to hit the road, did all the dumps and refills once we broke the ice up. Called into Gore, town of the country music, NZ’s Tamworth. They also boast trout. We had a good run down to Invercargill, called into see my Dads grave at Lumsden. Didn’t stop in Invercargill carried on down to the Bluff, I really liked it there, very windy and very cold, coming straight up from the Antarctic. It had very low clouds but could still see Stewart Island. Was very hard taking photo’s at the look out due to the wind, nearly blows you over. Saw interesting things, like chocks in paddocks with sheep and or cows all happy together. Had a feed of fish & Chips and it them down at the wharf. Left the bluff about 1 pm and started for the Catlins. To get to Curio Bay we made a wrong turn and ended up 28 km out of our way but got to see some nice country side along the way, when we got to the causeway and saw the sign to go over to the Tiwai smelting then I realised we had come the wrong way. No worries, turned around and got back on track and got to Curio camp grounds at about 4.30 pm. Took photo’s on our way in and what a great place. Got the camera’s and went straight down to the Penguins, we have been told that they head back up out of the water into their nesting place at about 4.30 pm onward until dark so will sit it out. Of course the sun has gone behind of the hills so the bay is in shadow and quiet dark due to the cloudy weather, but we saw 10 Penguins, love there calls, but I was amazed at how slow they came up the beach and over the rock, I assumed they would leave the water and rush up to their hide away, but they took nearly 1 1/2 hours, by this time it was really to dark to get decent shots, now a few spits of rain so headed back to the camper, will be down here 1st shooting light and wait, bbbrrrrrrrrrrr it will be cold.

Came across this boat HMS was all we could read, certainly seen better days. This is not far from an old boat house at the Bluff.

Twelve Apostles.

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Judy's Trekabout

Tuesday 19th April

Overcast and drizzly today but to bad we are off the Twelve Apostles, headed off at 8.15 am, we like to get to places before to many people are around as we take photos. What an amazing coast line, the lighting for photography was not good but you do what you can on the day. Went and looked at all the lookouts until it started to get a bit to wet. The last to lookouts we didn’t do.

This is such an amazing place, the sheer size of the cliffs, and that narrow opening to the sea, would love to see it in a storm. Loch Ard Gorge.

Just another angle of the Loch Ard Gorge. This view was from a lookout, the formations of the sandstone that has been shaped through weather is incredible.

I don’t have a name of this Bay, after this photo we couldn’t really get any more shots as it really started to rain, we headed back to the car, camera’s under our jackets. Went to Port Campbell from here and had lunch was really very miserable but what a lovely place if the weather had not been raining. On our way home we did pop into Joanna Beach, it is a really lovely spot to do some freedom camping at another time. Very big area. Another wonderful day.:))

Judy's Trekabout

Beautiful memories of Judy's travels

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