Chaplog tries hard In which an ageing climber comes to terms with life closer to the ground.

Reflections in the water on our walk< \i>

The photographs

We went to stay with Mick and Carol just outside Christchurch. Mick and Carol were staying with their son and his wife. They were living on a lifestyle plot owned by Elena’s parents. We went walking and visited the devastated Christchurch centre. It is amazing what you can do with containers! The demolition is still taking place two years after the event.

The Photographs

fur seal in Charlotte sound

We booked a kayak for three days and two nights lodging in a hut that Lynne expected to be very basic. I knew what it was like as I had booked it. Lynne was very aprehensive about the whole trip. As I expected it turned out fine. On arrival I went to check our cabin, it was en suite with carpets and a settee. Lynne at this point was standing in some mud next to the kayak and was expecting the worst. I confirmed that yes the hut was basic but we would survive. Her face was a picture when she saw where we were staying!

We got drenched in a thunderstorm but watching sting rays, the fur seals and the bird life made up for it. I walked up the local hill to see some fantastic 360 degree views.

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Smith’s Farm in the wet

It did stop raining eventually but only after I had agreed to bale out into a lodge. The owner told me to wait until 3:00pm when it would stop raining and it did. I went for a late walk to see a waterfall and it was in full spate.

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The ferry from the Snout walk near Picton

We arrived on South Island on the 12th of January and I did the”Snout” walk. We arranged a three day Kayak trip starting on Wed the 16th. I had wanted it to start a day earlier as I was starting my trip to Gore to dive the Mikhail Lemontov. The problem was the weather on Tuesday it said it would be grim and it was.

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Large Propeller on the Mikhail Lemontov

In Gozo divers told me that this is one wreck I really needed to dive. I heard them and did four dives on the wreck and one in to get tea in the mussel farm. It was incredible. I was surprised by the low visibility but once inside the visibility was excellent. It was a two and a half hour drive from Picton half of it on gravel roads. There were three of us Richard an instructor from England and Andrew an instructor from New Zealand. We all stayed in a family house with the wife and children of the centre manager. We did a dive on Friday evening the vis was bad. Four dives on the wreck each getting a little more serious. It was very exciting and I was lucky to have a buddy who was more experienced than myself.

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Sign seen high up on a hillside path?

photographs Kapiti coast

Photographs Kapiti island

Napier town centre

I do not really enjoy being in towns but this one I felt at home in. I think being by the sea, the sunshine, the palm trees and the Art Deco. Lynne sensibly decided that I was an unsuitable person to be with in towns so we walked around separately!

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it was pretty windy by the time we left Te Araroa

We left Ohiwa beach and headed around the East Cape. We camped at Maraehako Bay, no facilities and had to boil the water. It was a wild place people lit fires and were still in the party spirit for the start of the new year.

Weather no good for Kayaking or surfing so headed slowly to Te Araroa. We decided to have a look at a spit of land called Lottin point. The road became gravel and Lynne suggested we turn back. I ignored her and carried on saying it would be fine. It wasn’t! I tried backing out but there was a horrible smell as the wheels spun on the sand. I had to carry on down to the bay on rocks and sand. I think the smell was the clutch?

I did no enjoy being down there as I was not sure we could get out. It was surprisingly easy after I walked up the hill chose a line and went for it. Bad decision on my part. Te Araroa was nice, wild and good for surfing. We left with the wind at storm force – see image at top of page – and headed to Tolanga bay. There was a lovely church at Tikitiki. I walked to Cook bay from the camp site I needed some exercise.

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White Island

The weather put paid to my hopes about diving close to this island – wind conditions and swell – we took a boat to the island to see the volcano. It was in true New Zealand style, they cannot be sued if anything goes wrong, It was great fun and Lynne did not feel sick even with a a meter plus swell.

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What do herons do when the tide comes in and they want to keep their feet dry?

After Christmas in New Zealand everyone heads for the beach. This caused us a headache because all the camp-sites were fully booked and we could not get into the hills and forests because of the weather. Lynne found Ohiwa beach. It was a long way from anywhere and it had a very, very long beach. Most of the people had a quad bike to take surfboards etc to the beach. After a few days the waves were so tempting I bought a belly surfboard and loved it. The area was a haven for birds and I took some photographs.

My plan was to dive close to White Island 27 miles from the shore which is an active volcano that is meant to be interesting to dive due to venting under water. I booked a trip out, it we as confirmed in the evening and cancelled at 6:00am the next morning. This happened two days running before I decided enough was enough and booked a bigger boat for a surface visit this was successful see next post.

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Christmas day swim

We travelled to Steve and Mary’s house in cable bay on the 21st of December. We were keen to get the car sorted out before Christmas – We needed new Shocks Hans purchased and fitted them at no cost. We were hoping to do some outdoor type activities with Steve and Mary over the Christmas period. The tail end of the cyclone put paid to that wind and rain, though we did swim on Christmas day. I also had a good day in a sea kayak with Steve on boxing day.

Steve and Mary after a Christmas day swim