My trip to the Antipodes

Hi everyone! On Sunday went for a beach walk with Tim n Sylv around part of Cape Kidnappers peninsular. Glorious walk under cliffs of fascinating geology. Swam, walked in the surf and tried out my new walking shoes ready for my likely tramp across the estuaries of Able Tasman. They are not the right footwear. The sand caught up in the soft padding and acted like wet n dry emery cloth. Removed dead skin and live with equal effectiveness. Bloodied feet! Only superficail so should heal fairly quickly. Sunday night was the BBQ supper with Lorraine, Heather and Alan.

Monday, said cherrios to Shannon and Sue. I had had a great time with them, then dropped off at the airport by Tim n Sylv. Flew down to Christchurch. Picked up car. A small Seat with a boot which will be handy when I may need to leave it parked up for a few days at a time. Regretably, car crime is becoming more commmon even on South Island.

Called in to a supermarket for a few bottles n bits n bobs and then to The Warehouse to buy camping stove, pans and gas. I tried to find a pair of wet-suit rubber socks. Tim had suggested that they might be the best alternative footwear to cope with the estuary crossings. Couldn't find any but will keep looking.

Then drove down to Rakaia. The instructions from Carolyn were very clear, just watch for the Monty Pythoness giant Salmon statue and turn right. Missed it! It's only about 25 feet high and just off the side of the road into town. Fortunately the town is only little more than 200 yds long. Found the Methven road anyway and soon arrived at the farm.

Greeted by Carolyn and son Isaac(Zak) and shortly after by Peter, thick with harvest dust. Good chat over supper. He used to grow malting barley, Optic, but since the Canterbury Malting Company closed some 8 years ago , now only grows feed barley. Main crop is wheat but also does seed crops and sometimes grows replication crops for UK cereal breeders. The farm has only had a couple of short storms in the past couple of months. A final field of barley and a field of clover seed are all that is still to be harvested. Carolyn provided a nice supper and before it bacame too dark, gave me a tour of the fields and a trip back to town to confirm that there was a giant Salmon statue. 

Talked through my onward travels and opted to go up into the local Rakiai Gorge today, Tuesday, to possible Jet-Boat and a short tramp. Zak will act as guide and Mum may also join us. Now that it has started raining we may change plans.... but it is warm rain. Carolyn has gone to check the weather radar.

More piccies to download now so hopefully you can check out the Photos pages for the giant salmon.

bfn  Grandad