Off to New Zealand

[molehill]

Sea kayaking for the first time yesterday. Managed to crash into some rocks, break the paddle, fall out, overturn the kayak, but I got myself back in again. Great fun.
Rucksack packed with another week supply of food and I leave for Nelson lakes shortly.
So many adventures for such a small Mole!

[The Missus]

Hello , is that my name mentioned. What's on on the 9th August? Will put it in the diary and all will be revealed one day no doubt. You are hearing more from the Hobbity Mole than I am,

[Boy Wonder]

Hay on wye is lovely at this time of year, probably. Into Nelson today to shop for supplies then tomorrow up to Nelson lakes area and a week in the mountains. Excited again, I have some ideas for a route but see where life takes me, certainly be up very close to where that poor Brit died the other week. I have to carry a PLB, I,m not allowed out on my own without!! Not something I'm used to but things are different over here, the country is big and very thick bush. Take a fall off the path and you are in big trouble.

Hay was very very wet... monsoon conditions on Offas Dyke.

PLB... talk English man, don't go all native on us!

Enjoy life in the bush... looking forward to hearing all about it at some time soon.

[The Missus]

Personal locator beacon. Pull the cord and the helicopters arrive. Everyone carries them tramping in NZ and Oz , we had one on the Tassie trek. Like wearing a life jacket in a boat. I'm sure Moley would rather not carry one but that is not an option!!!

[molehill]

Another, sometimes epic 6 days in the bush. Brilliant, now out in Murchison, started hike at 5.45 this morning, after about 30 river crossings (wading) into civilisation and a big, big cafe breakfast! Probably pick up some more grub and fresh supply of bog paper and do Mt Owen for a few days on the way back.

Never imagined I would be a hitchhiker in my 60s, I feel soooo cool!

[molehill]

The following day I was drenching cattle, then in evening off to the NZ championship stock car racing, I had no idea this still existed! 3 hours of mindless petrolhead entertainment. Surprisingly, it was great fun.
Next day helping weld a tractor back together, now back in Nelson, think about another trip 😀😀

[molehill]

It rained all yesterday, I can't believe it rained (not too hard), miserable. Should be off with Steve tonight or tomorrow for one last outing, planning a blast over some mountain ridges at about 1700m and a couple of nights in hut - just thought, I have to climb up there first!

[molehill]

The last trip was a fantastic alpine route over Mt Rintoul, brilliant weather and a great last adventure for 3 days. Descended into the Wairau river valley, where I lost the track for a while and found myself "off piste" in someones marijuana plantation. Very nice plants they were too, I could easily be there still 😯😯!

But now in North Island chilling with beer and preparing for the trip home on Tuesday.