Wanaka 2012/13

I have taken photos from my Aunty and Uncle's folder (Thanks) as they were too good to leave out and I had not seen them.  They are from February 2012, before we left for Aussie.

Doing a bit of bouldering in the National competition in Wanaka that Bethanne competed in 2012.  Cool fun, I'm not very good as you can see by my interest in the climb behind me, but definitely worth a go.

Shahn and I getting ready to head out for a sail, first time on Lake Wanaka.

Having a picnic on the beach and a bit of Kayaking as well was a good afternoon. (Left to right Uncle John, Me, Chris, Marg, Shahn, Pete and Bethanne). My beloved Toyota Corolla, she had so many problems but it never stopped running. After 5 years (100,000km) it sold for the same price as I bought it.

Christmas 2012 in Wanaka

For Christmas this year we logistically could not see both families in the short time we had in NZ so Shahn and I headed to different islands for our time off, her North and I, South.

At the top of Mount Iron, after a short walk (Me, Chris, Richard & Bethanne)

 

View looking back towards Lake Wanaka from Mt Iron

Another shot from top of Mt Iron, 150 people must walk to the top of this every day over summer.

Looking towards Lake Hawea from Mt Iron

Bethanne and I sailing from Ruby Island, man did the wind pick up that day had heaps of fun flying a hull, good first lesson for Bethanne too.  Hopefully teaching everyone the basics of sailing will get them into it when they are at Wanaka.

The drive from Otautau

Off on a bike ride around the lake edge, trying to tell the time.

Watching the start of the storm blow looking towards Motutapu Island

Taking the Cat on her first sail on Lake Wanaka, not much wind at all but heaps of fun.

Me just testing the new self tacking jib (worked really well in a good wind, ok in a light breeze.

Pete throughly enjoying no wind and floating our lives away.

Chris and Richard heading back after kayaking to the other side of the lake.

On a bike ride to Luggate (Very sore after this I was not very friendly with my seat) but awesome ride.

Wanaka House before the rain and storm (bone dry) - see lumps of dirt bottom right, that is the site of new rock garden (see below)



Made a rock garden with a few native flora at the Wanaka house, took a few days but pretty happy with the outcome. (Rocks came from an unknown source)

SNOW IN JANUARY!! On the Crown Ranges on January 2nd, 2013

 

Sake in Dalby and Bunya Mountains

We were invited to our friends place in Dalby for a sake night, filled with yummy Japanese foods made by Katherine.  We bought four bottles of sake and struggled getting through two! Man, that is potent stuff!!

After a nice lunch the following day with Sean and Katherine, we went to the Dalby rural museum, they had some classic stuff around the place mainly from private collectors from the area.  The woman who is managing the museum, was pretty funny and told us there are two UFOs there, we thought she had gone mad - but there were actually UFOs there! 

Casually, some yellow cake Uranium.

The museum had a gorgeous rocks, minerals and fossils.

A bird collection from South America shipped to Australia in the late 1800's.

A letter written on behalf of Ned Kelly to ask permission to see his mother and sister in preparation for his upcoming trial, written from Prison in 1880.  I suppose he was expecting his impending fate which lead to his hanging in November 1880.

Some interesting rules for teachers.

The UFO.....

Bunya Mountains

We went up to Bunya Mountains with Sean & Katherine.  It was a lovely day!

Pointing out landmarks trying to get our bearings.

Catching a tadpole with my bare hands, its was massive!

"You shall not pass"