Friday, August 20, 2004
We're Back
I don't know where we went... but we have returned. The weather has been typical winter here for the last couple weeks, so we thought that we might spare you the boring things that we didn't do and just sit around drinking and eating bon bons rather than writing blogs. As to validate our claim, Wellington, only 40 km to our east experienced the worst winter storm weather in 20 years. Apparently the everyday functions of the kiwi capital came to a standstill as 140 kph winds and ungodly amounts of rain tore into the city. The planes were grounded and rocked in the wind, roofs were ripped off, the trolleys couldn't run, and the downtown streets were flooded. All in all, it was really crappy. Meghan and I on the other hand are still congratulating ourselves for picking such a nice little corner of New Zealand. Nelson managed to experience only slightly nasty windy days and a bit of drizzly rain. Just enough to keep us from doing a whole lot of exploring, but not too much to ruin our day, which is nice.
Last weekend we did manage to escape dispite the uncertainty of the weather. Jeanette invited us to go play in the snow up on Mt Arthur with Karen, Peter, and their kids. As the day arrived the weather did not play nicely and we ended up having to bag that idea and instead we opted for alternative plan B, a hike up Mardsen Valley to overlook Richmond and the Tasman Bay (close to home).
Before we took to the trail, we took a detour to Nelson proper for the Trafalgar Center's exhibit of EcoFest 2004. Anyone who was anyone interested in new solar panels, mulching techniques, paper products, and a veritable pethora of organic foods was there. Just before we escaped the green scene for our hike, Pete managed to scheme his way onto his dream craft of choice, the Segway, and for the rest of the day would mumble incoherently and get a slightly glazed look in his eye. That might have explained why he drove off blindly loosing the chase car, but we can let him dream.
Our hike was a nice logging road climbing steeply up the hills over Richmond. It is a well used trail by hikers, bikers, and runners. Somehow we were let on too, but I think because someone was sleeping at his post.
Hiking with two little midgets was fine as long as they were kept constantly distracted from the fact that they were hiking straight up the hill, it was raining, and it was probably about 2 km one way. Dispite all that they did great, I on the other hand wanted to complain the whole time. A sharp slap to the face every 20 meters or so kept me pointed in the right direction. The game of "Are we there yet?" has new meaning and I know can't quite figure out how i survived childhood.
Once at the top, the rain stopped and nice weather isn't quite the right term, but we had quite interesting views of the forest surrounding the area and the city and bay below. This particular hill is a nice rounded hill that is frequented by hang gliders and other crazy idiots who want to throw themselves of a perfectly good mountain. My coat would not achieve the proper amount of lift needed for the mountaintop adventure so after picking pine trees out of tender areas I decided that I might need different equipment and returned to the gaggle that was our party. As the weather still loomed quite near to us, we decided not to tempt fate too long and off down the hill again we went. No sooner had we spotted the cars, a the clouds decended upon out position and with them, a slue of rain and hail dried to drown us on our feet. We frantically hopped back into the cars and sped off.
Our drying off entailed dinner over at Pete and Karen's house in front of their wood burning stove. The food and company was great. We had kiwi-version of tacos, which were delightful after a days hike. After that we taught and played some cutthroat hearts. I managed to lead the pack until my attempt of shooting the moon. Someday I will learn...
Ah... and we finally developed those photos of the duck/car incident.
Local representatives are standing by to take your donation to the Kiwi Windscreen Repair Fund!
Last weekend we did manage to escape dispite the uncertainty of the weather. Jeanette invited us to go play in the snow up on Mt Arthur with Karen, Peter, and their kids. As the day arrived the weather did not play nicely and we ended up having to bag that idea and instead we opted for alternative plan B, a hike up Mardsen Valley to overlook Richmond and the Tasman Bay (close to home).
Before we took to the trail, we took a detour to Nelson proper for the Trafalgar Center's exhibit of EcoFest 2004. Anyone who was anyone interested in new solar panels, mulching techniques, paper products, and a veritable pethora of organic foods was there. Just before we escaped the green scene for our hike, Pete managed to scheme his way onto his dream craft of choice, the Segway, and for the rest of the day would mumble incoherently and get a slightly glazed look in his eye. That might have explained why he drove off blindly loosing the chase car, but we can let him dream.
Our hike was a nice logging road climbing steeply up the hills over Richmond. It is a well used trail by hikers, bikers, and runners. Somehow we were let on too, but I think because someone was sleeping at his post.
Hiking with two little midgets was fine as long as they were kept constantly distracted from the fact that they were hiking straight up the hill, it was raining, and it was probably about 2 km one way. Dispite all that they did great, I on the other hand wanted to complain the whole time. A sharp slap to the face every 20 meters or so kept me pointed in the right direction. The game of "Are we there yet?" has new meaning and I know can't quite figure out how i survived childhood.
Once at the top, the rain stopped and nice weather isn't quite the right term, but we had quite interesting views of the forest surrounding the area and the city and bay below. This particular hill is a nice rounded hill that is frequented by hang gliders and other crazy idiots who want to throw themselves of a perfectly good mountain. My coat would not achieve the proper amount of lift needed for the mountaintop adventure so after picking pine trees out of tender areas I decided that I might need different equipment and returned to the gaggle that was our party. As the weather still loomed quite near to us, we decided not to tempt fate too long and off down the hill again we went. No sooner had we spotted the cars, a the clouds decended upon out position and with them, a slue of rain and hail dried to drown us on our feet. We frantically hopped back into the cars and sped off.
Our drying off entailed dinner over at Pete and Karen's house in front of their wood burning stove. The food and company was great. We had kiwi-version of tacos, which were delightful after a days hike. After that we taught and played some cutthroat hearts. I managed to lead the pack until my attempt of shooting the moon. Someday I will learn...
Ah... and we finally developed those photos of the duck/car incident.
Local representatives are standing by to take your donation to the Kiwi Windscreen Repair Fund!
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