On the road 4

Hi there. My attempts at transferring photos has not always been successful. Hence they are a bit of a jumble so that is what this will be, a jumble of snaps along the way. Here we are camped in a very primitive camp at Little River though it was very picturesque beside a lovely stream and bush walk.

This was the hand washing area outside the very posh long drop toilets. I was rather taken with it.

I loved bathing my feet in the Stoney streams and rivers and my crocks were ideal protection from stumbling on the rocks.

This was an amazing beach called Birdlings Flat, near Akaroa. It was shoal after shoal of smooth round and many flat stones and among them many pretty coloured ones.

My new sun hat came in very useful for carrying my haul and Kerry very kindly found room for them in one of the lockers. I have since added to the haul at various places and they are tucked away in little corners of the bus along with the occasional purchase from op shops. Yes there have been a few happy finds.

Then there was Mt Cook. Though it was a cloudy day the clouds were very high so we were lucky to see her. I was following her for many miles then we were on our way directly towards her on our way to Mt Cook centre. I was thrilled all the way.

There we are with the grand lady just to the right

And the other mountains next to Cook.

This is the true colour of the lakes and rivers fed by the glaciers. I couldn't get over this beautiful turquoise colour. This was one of the dams fron Lake Pukaki and Benmore.

We just watch in awe, the bungy jumping from thr original site where it all started.

This was one end of this amazing bridge built in 1880, and you can see a little of the lovely scenery around it.

We followed the gorge through to Cromwell and that is where we stayed by the lake in my last post.

Since then we have walked up to a very grubby Fox Glacier. The grubbiness is caused by the dirt from surrounding hills being blown onto it, but it was a beautiful walk.

With views like those out of Lord of the Rings.

There were other stunning views like this one of Mt Hooker. I was sitting on a rock bathing my crocked feet again and a few stones went into my bag. I'm sure some small pieces of Ponamu are amongst them.

It was a very stormy sea under a stormy sky at Greymouth.

This was the infamous bar at Greymouth where many lives have been lost. No boats were going out this day.

The end of the day showed some improvement after a day of squalls, and I'm sure to be enthralled by more fabulous scenery. Till next time blessings to you all, Trills.x

On the road 3

Yes we are still on our journey around the South Island. Only a week to go and we cross over on our way home again. I want to go back a week this time and start with this stunning view we woke up to in a reserve by Lake Dunstan, just a short drive from Cromwell. 

Yes we had a front row seat for breakfast and just sat watching the day begin.

The previous evening we had chosen our spot and I was thrilled to see these bushes about us. I had seen them covering a lot of the hills as we drove along and wondered what they were.

Here's a close up. They are rose hips which was a great thrill for me. They don't seem to appear up near us though Kerry has told me how his Mum would gather them from the roadside near Te Kauwhata where he grew up. She made syrup with them which is probably how they come to have spread over the land here. Introduced by the early settlers as a good source of vitamins C and the birds have done the rest.

The day continued to enthrall as we got ready to hit the road again.

A little cloud gathered along the hills across the lake. Can you see the touches of snow on top of the peaks.

We headed for lake Wanaka. After settling into our camp a walk down to the lake front revealed swimmers enjoying a cool dip on another hot day. There was snow on a very distant Mt Aspiring but the hardy we're not deterred.I hope to be back soon before my hot spot runs out. Blessings, Trills xx

On the road 2

Hi there one and all. I have only realised today that my last post hadn't gone through so rebooted it today. This pic is from over a week ago at Akaroa. I just loved this place with its French flavour, little cottages and the Giants house. I will have to do a special post on that when I get home. In this pic I was up early so took my coffee out to the seats overlooking the harbour right where we had parked for the night. 

It was so amazing watching the rising sun

light up the hills over the water and slowly watch the day begin about me. Here is a peek at the Giants house, so named many years ago when it stood sentinel above the town and a little girl called it the Giants house because only a giant could live in such a big house.

Now it belongs to these giant works of art by the artist who lives here. The whole steep garden is a wonderland of these amazing creations among a beautiful garden.

I'll just show you a few now and do a special later.

Love the glorious colours.

And characters

And more characters and flowers.

And this wonderful scene on the verandaed. I' going to leave you with this taste in the hope this post goes through ASAP . At tis time and place we are cozied up at a camp in Invercargill, right at the bottom of the South Island. It is wet and windy so I have been catching some stitching time, and sorting the computer stuff. 

Hope this finds you all fine and dandy. Blessings, Trills.xx

On the road

HHeading South through forestry 

Across the plateau with a lovely view of Mt Ruapehu.

Cute old cottages in Taihape.

A beautiful rug in a shop in Taihape. Just love the pattern and colours.

A very old singer machine in a museum in Bulls

A mockup shop with lots of lovely old tins etc.

Ye old coal range like we had when I was little.

We had these too at some time.wouldn't mind the copper kettle for the bus.

Lovely old patterned carpet on the floor of a display. Droooollll.

A shop for Kerry to browse. Haven't seen one for years.

Sunset on Otaki beach freedom camping.

Kaput I Island just off shore. A sanctuary for native endangered birds and reptiles.

A Stoney beach littered with driftwood. If I was a local I think I would take up driftwood art. I did gather a few pieces

I see a serpent, Jonah's whale

And this amazing flying creature.

And several small pieces just leant themselves to being crocheted together for a wee mobile. My first crafty venture on the trip.

Then it was time to board the ferry at 1.30am and leave the North Island. See you down South somewhere.

Blessings to one and all.Love Trills x