A day in Wellington with Fraser

27 December - we drove to Wellington with Fraser, he was flying to Tasmania for orienteering.  We had time to do some 4 wheel driving on the rough track towards Red Rocks and also explore the southern rocky coastline.

Christmas 2014

Great to have family and friends at our house, and a sunny day too!

The traditional visit to Father Christmas at Te Manawa

Christmas morning

Making music - a study in concentration ...

... and laughter

Lake Waikaremoana with PNBHS

30 Nov - 4 Dec - My annual tramp around Lake Waikaremoana with twelve PNBHS year 10 students and two teachers.  Always good to return to this beautiful place, and good company!

At one of the camping shelters for lunch

The view from Panekiri hut - although a packet of dehy food is of more interest to one of the boys.

Another flying trip to Picton

16-18 December - Andrea and family were not able to visit us for Christmas this year so I took the opportunity to have a short visit to see the family.  Maybe Aria was at school, as there are not many photos of her.  Meanwhile Nina at 1 1/2 was really into playing with her dolls.

An overnight Thursday tramping trip to Hawkes Bay

26-27 November - Our Thursday group were keen to explore the north-east Ruahines.  Too far to go in one day so we drove to Waipawa and stayed at the holiday park to give us an early start for tramping.  Our destination was Sentry Box hut - Parks Peak hut.  We enjoyed being in this different terrain and it was fine, but very windy on the tops!  There were 13 in our group, including Owen.

Sentry Box hut, which is quite close to the road end

Track junction reached after a steep climb up to the high ridge

Our highest point of the day Pohatuhaha 1368m.  It was so windy we had to really hang on, or be blown away!

 

Approaching Parks Peak hut, and lunch

Lots of photographers!

Relaxing back at Sentry Box hut again after a 6 1/2 hour day's tramp.  Now for the long drive home.

A day tramp on Timahanga Station

22 November - this was an organised walk, a fund-raiser for Pukeokahu School near Taihape.  Timahanga Station is on the Napier-Taihape Road near the Kaweka Range.  This walk could only be done with permission from the Station owners so it was a special privilege.  How arid and windswept the scenery is.

Lots of guides in their orange tops

Looking at the Kaweka Range - so eroded.

A Sunday with Isla and Brielle

16 November - at home with Isla and Brielle

Thursday tramp - Titriangi Reserve

13 November - Titirangi Reserve is a large patch of unspoilt original forest between Rangiwahia and Mangaweka.  It is in steep terrain and requires access, and permission, from the local farmer.  It was beautiful bush with a lot of bird life.  Eighteen of us enjoyed this day out in the hills.

Walking across farmland to the reserve

We came out of the bush for our lunch - excellent views of the Ruahine Range with some snow on the tops

Setting off again (photo John Brock)

Farmland scenery (photo John Brock)