Sunday 11 July 2010

A weekend of walks, Antarctic experts and fine red wine.

Monday morning in Christchurch and it's about - 5 oC, and as I post this, I have just seen Spain win the  World Cup Football final. Viva la Espanol ! Commisserations Netherlands!

I have enjoyed the weekend with two long walks round the hills and coastline on the outskirts of Christchurch, visited a few good friends, and sampled some wonderful NZ red wine. Here are a few photos of the weekend:


On Saturday I went for a long walk from Taylor's Mistake beach to Boulder Bay. Above is Aroha with Diva,



From the track looking back at Taylor's Mistake Beach.







Sheep eat, oblivious of the stunning backdrop.
 
Looking down at Boulder Bay and some small baches (holiday homes)



The coastline back to Taylor's Mistake




Taylor's Mistake village at the end of Saturday.


On Saturday night I watched the All Blacks vs Springbok rugby test with Colin and Betty Monteath. Colin and Betty run one of the world's leading Mountaineering and Polar photo libraries  http://www.colinmonteath.com/Colin_Monteath/Welcome.html


Colin (l) and I (r) looking at his latest book on Antarctica.


Colin has the largest Himalayan book collection in New Zealand and a huge Polar, New Zealand and Asian collection.

A view from Sugarloaf to Governors Bay. Last year I visited the Margaret Mahy, one of NZs famous writers who lives there.


From near Sugarloaf,  a view down to Lyttelton and the entrance at Godley Head. It was from this port, the gateway to Antarctica, that Scott, Shackelton and Byrd left for Antarctica.

At New Brighton, I watched young surfers riding the waves in below freezing temperatures.


I popped in to see another Antarctic expert, researcher and writer, David Harrowfield.  'The Call of the Ice' is a classic, a history of  fifty years of New Zealand in Antarctic, written by David.  

10 comments:

Donald said...

Dear Bob

Welcome back to NZ seems called for as a comment.

Great photos too, and good to see you're catching up with friends.

Pretty cold down here, but sunny thankfully.

Cheers

Donald

pohanginapete said...

Every time I visit Christchurch I seem to end up doing that walk to Godley Head. I love it; love the Peninsula; the feel of it.

We had an excellent weekend down Wellington way, at Eastbourne with a group of friends. Great company, conversation, food and wine. Good to hear you're back and enjoying the kinds of things I, too, love. Welcome home, Bob.

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Bob,
Glad you are back enjoying some beautiful, though wintry, weather.
Aroha, Colin, Betty, and talk of Antartica all bring back good memories of visiting you down that way a few years ago. Welcome home Bob.
Cheers,
Robb

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Yes Donald, it is great to be back. If I am down your way I will give you a call. Thanks for dropping by. Bob

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Dear Pete, So you feel that uniqueness about the peninsula too. Like you, I have travelled the world's great ranges, but going over Dyers Pass and being in the Port Hills and on that Peninsula, is a land apart. I feel many wairua tapu sites for both Maori and Pakeha round that area, and the links to Antarctica are strong.

Kia Kaha, Bob

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Dear Robb,

Colin, Betty, Aroha and I spoke of you and Tara the other day when we met that night at a BBQ and met Bob Headland and Ed Cotter, plus others. Went to the doctor/surgeon yesterday and he said my knee is really good and I can go climbing now . Will you take me up the Ruahines ? Bob

Avigayil DaGea said...

Lovely pictures! I want to go there someday... :)

Hope you're enjoying your holiday before you continue to the next challenge.

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Thanks for your comments Hesti. Yes, I am enjoying the break and the cold temperatues at night, and sunny days.

I am please you enjoyed the photos.

Warn regards,

Bob

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Alex Warn said...

Glad you are back enjoying some beautiful New Trends, though wintry, weather.