New Zealand

Moeraki Boulders

AnneLeave a comment

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In Maori legend the Araiteuru canoe (one of the large ancestral canoes that came from Hawaiki) was wrecked on Shag Point while on its way south in search of greenstone. Food-baskets and kumara on board were washed ashore. The kumara became irregularly shaped rocks and the circular food-baskets became the Moeraki Boulders, called by the Maori Te Kaihinake (the food-baskets). The reef at the mouth of the Shag River is said to be the petrified hull of the canoe, and a prominent rock nearby to be the mortal remains of its navigator, Hipo. Names of passengers are given to hills in the area. The legend is an example of how a colourful story would be woven around the physical features of the landscape to perpetuate a knowledge of geography in a culture without a written language.

Source http://www.dreamlike.info/nzl/otg/dc/moe/moeraki.htm

 

Happy Valentine’s Day

Image Steve9 Comments

We should have been having a romantic Valentine’s dinner in Dunedin tonight………instead, we enjoyed a walk along the blustery beach, hand in hand at Waikouaiti – even more romantic.

Nobody told us that every bed in Dunedin was booked out because of the World Cup Cricket – New Zealand’s Black Caps are playing Scotland early next week. Oh well, the best laid plans are always subject to change.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all – How did you spend it?

A Valentine's Day selfie - Waikouaiti Beach
A Valentine’s Day selfie – Waikouaiti Beach

 

Fit enough for the Otago Rail Trail?

Anne21 Comments

P1070035Whenever we think about undertaking a bike trip in unknown territory I get scared that I won’t be able to do it. I fear I might become stranded somewhere, half way up a hill, too tired to go any further and with no way to get home. Physical exercise has never been my thing so contemplating riding 152 km does not come easy to me. I’ve had to turn back on one bike trip and get frustrated trying to find information that gives me a real sense of how difficult the trip will be. I want to be challenged but not distressed.

So this blog is for someone like me who wants to know what to expect from four days on the Otago Rail Trail. Steve has written his account of the journey in the posts The Otago Rail Trail – Clyde to Wedderbern & The Otago Rail Trail – Wedderburn to Middlemarch.

Our party of four were all over 50 years old and at 58 I am the oldest and the least fit. I’d been Continue reading →

The Otago Rail Trail – Wedderburn to Middlemarch

Steve4 Comments

Departing Wedderburn Cottages saw us head into our longest day on the trail, with a ride of 48km to Hyde. We were feeling pretty good in the knowledge that for the next two days our path should lead us downhill. The climbs were now behind us.

StravaI tracked our ride with “strava”, and it was interesting to note that whilst much of the day was certainly downhill, we also climbed 389m. Whilst on the topic of climbs, please don’t be put off by the seemingly big numbers. Although the Otago Rail Trail topped 618m above sea leave, the maximum gradient during the four days was 1 in 50, meaning that the steepest parts of the ride gained 1 metre in height over 50 metres in distance……that’s not too hard at all.

Before we get any further, let me answer the question I left you with in my previous blog. Lamb, hogget and mutton are all terms used to describe the meat from sheep. Lamb is up to 12 months old, hogget is between 12 and 24 months, and mutton is older than 2 years.

After the summer snow Continue reading →

The Otago Rail Trail – Clyde to Wedderburn

Steve9 Comments

The prospect of heading off on a 152km cycle trip over four days, in the knowledge that the first 2 days would require you to push those pedals and climb a 618m summit is more than a little daunting for we non-Tour de France riders. But that’s what Anne and I, and our very close friends, Mary-Ann and Lawrence did, and our smiles could not be broader.

P1060972 (2)The Otago Rail Trail has not disappointed us, in part due to the wonderful organisation and communication with Sandra and the team at Trail Journeys, based at the start of the trail in Clyde, and also in part to our own preparation. Trail Journeys sorted all the logistics, from collecting us in Queenstown, providing our bikes, booking our accommodation and moving our luggage each day. All that was left for us was push the pedals and enjoy the experience.

Over the past few day’s Continue reading →

Day two on the Otago Rail Trail

SteveLeave a comment

P1070088_editedDay 2 on the Otago Rail Trail provided a feast of memories. Freshly stewed apricots, summer snow, Lauder Ukulele Festival, Men-Oh-Pause, courageous stroke survivor, the summit (618m above sea level), 544m of cycle climb, open fire, hard labour on the line, bird watching and Waitangi Day. I feel a story in the making.