Charleston to Paynes Ford

From Charleston we headed up to Tauranga Bay where we ran, swam and surfed a little more. Then we drove inland towards Murchison through the Buller Gorge and did the New Zealand version of an *endurance* drive to Nelson (I think it was about three hours - everything in New Zealand is amazingly close).

Tobin in travel/rockstar mode

Eels. 'Tame' eels are to New Zealand as Go-karts are to Canadians. There seemed to be 'tame eel' attactions everywhere. These eels aren't tame, they've learned to slither up on the land and extend their disgusting bodies towards any biped in the hopes of snagging a child or someone's hot dog.


These things gave me nightmares. We went to one place in Hokitika that had a tank with 50 gigantic eels in them. Most of them weighed 30kg and were at least 2m long. They would hover just above the bottom of their tank with their creepy opaque eyes and gaping, gasping mouths waiting for some sucker to fall in so they could tear them to pieces. It was like some kind of aquatic zombie movie. Disgusting.

Tobin was fond of them. Almost every day he would say 'more eels!'.

"Look out!"

Tent time with the kids

Breakfast time in the refugee camp

Trace and Ann-Marie at Paynes

Tobin, just waking up at the crag

The best swimming I've ever seen was at Payne's ford. This was right at the base of the crags. The water was about 12' deep so you could do just about anything you wanted off these little crags. Great bouldering all around the holes too. Phil assured me there were no eels here, but I made him go first just to make sure.

Avalanche Traverse

Some pics from a ski day. Traverse around Uto, Eagle and Avalanche mountains. A beautiful seldom seen place. Nice trip, but got a little too exciting near the end. All's well that ends well.

Early morning skinning up to Mt Sir Donald

Looking towards Avalanche Mountain and the low col we gained

Last rays of sun on Avalanche Mt; on the home stretch. Only 5000' of broken glacier and unknown cliff bands to go!

The Big Boy

Yes, we managed to raise him to TWO years old so far! Valentino Marmalade just turned two today. We had a party with all his girlfriends and his new boy buddy (Bence). Lots of chocolate and presents. The whole idea was pretty lost on him though, except for the blowing out the candles part.

Tobin got a lot of presents...

...but this sweet balloon was a fave.

I forgot to get the standard belly in a bikini picture in NZ, so I made Ann-Marie dress up for one at home.
"Who's a sexy lady? That's right I'M a sexy lady!"

Hokitika to Charleston

I think I've mustered the energy to make another posting. So here we go. From Trace and Phil's place in Hokitika we started our two and half week road trip around the northern part of the south island.

Six of us piled into their Nissan Vanette (yes, it is as small as the name implies) plus adult and child toys, camping gear and food. It was tight, but somehow there was always room.

We spent a day paddling down a nice canal from Lake Mahinapua to Hokitika

Sunset out the back of Trace and Phil's

I paddle once every 10 years or so

Where's Waldo? Phil and Poppy on our hike to a high point

Band album cover

Somewhere below the vegetation is a trail

Punakaiki

Wild ocean here, you can see people on the horizon for scale

The Vanette, disembowled

Flax

Tobin and Ann-Marie on the hike to Cape Foulwind

Another Visit with Grampa Allan

"you missed a spot right here, grandson"