Fred Barnard once said, ‘a pictures is worth a thousand words’. The following scenes
of Tekapo in all it's glory say it all.
As we savour the distractions of this glorious
place and remain spell bound by it, enjoy this appetiser.
Sabbaticus Line
The Land Ship Sabbaticus
Monday, 30 March 2015
Friday, 27 March 2015
Foodie or Not? - by Julie
Christchurch welcomed us with a wintery overcast day. We
parked up at the Top Ten Motor Camp on the Main North Road very near Northlands
Mall. It’s a huge camping ground tucked away in the middle of suburbia. You wouldn’t know it was there other than the
steady stream of campervans that roll in and out, morning and night. It’s
almost wall to wall campervans.
Family and friend were our focus in Christchurch - catching
up with Esther, Jonathan and Morgana and dining at our most preferred Japanese
restaurant Tomi, ….bring on the lotus
chips, egg rolls, dumplings and sushi.
I spent many hours with my parents at townhouse 14 and
frequented the Coffee Co-op in Addington with my sisters Alanna and Suzanne. This
bohemic café offers great food and service amidst an eclectic, mis-matched
array of old chairs and tables, typewriters, books, bikes and memorabilia. It’s
a great place to hang out.
We had a delicious dinner at Lorraine's place (Wayne’s sister). I particularly
liked those stuffed capsicums. My Dad cooked me whitebait… yah…Do I sound like
a foodie? No, not a foodie, just someone who appreciates that there’s nothing
better in life than food that looks good, tastes amazing and is shared with
people you care about.
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| Four Little Girls from the Same Mould, Wings Spread Afar about to Unfold....Drury Sisters 1995. |
We caught up with long-time friends Karen and Eric who
joined us in the caravan for dinner. While I ventured to Scarborough to the Ocean
café to catch up with my friend Bev, whom I met on my celebrants course. Had
the most delectable seafood chowder while secretly planning my exit route away
from the cafe as the WAVES on the beach were huge; perhaps as a result of
Cyclone Pam or a high spring tide? The water was teaming with surfers…mad
people, what were they thinking? The waves were alarmingly high as we sat metres
away from the sea wall, with water lapped the footpath.
Despite this distraction, Bev and I made merry; catching up on news and solving
some of the world’s problems. All in a day’s
work.
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| Bev and Julie - Great Minds Think Alike. |
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| NZ Pinot Noir, by Tiki |
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A 'find' in Christchurch was the Taylors Mistake Godley Heads walk. The walk takes you from Taylors Mistake high up above the sea and around the heads. Some interesting WWll gun emplacements and informative reading along the way. A pleasant walk away from the city, its hustle and bustle.
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| Taylors Mistake |
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| A View from the Top looking at Harris Bay |
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| Second World War Emplacement at Godley Head |
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| Follow the Instructions of your Crew! |
Speaking of hustle and bustle, I am constantly reminded of the state of Christchurch, post-earthquake, and the state of the roads- congestions is common place. Planning to get travel anywhere and arrive on time takes strategic planning. I found this exhausting and frustrating and I am sure the city itself is frustrated with what it has become. But in saying that, can I also praise and applaud Cantabrians on their courteousness and patience on the roads. Thanks.
We departed Christchurch on Monday 23rd March via the Main South Road heading for Geraldine with Dad’s yummy stew stored safely in the fridge (there I go again…mention of food). Catch everyone again on our return in late May…let the journey continue.
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
A visit to the Wigram Air Museum - Wayne
Tensing Place
Most of my childhood years were spent in Christchurch at my parent’s home in Tensing Place, Riccarton. This subdivision was developed in the late 50s, and our street was named after Tenzing Norgay who, with Hillary, reach the summit of Mount Everest on 29 May 1953. As we lived near the Wigram Air Force Training Base, one of my vivid childhood memories was hearing the relentless grinding noise of the Harvard Aircraft and the shooting down of the said planes with a wooden rifle. Eight year old kids do the same today, but with a laser. The Wigram Air Force Museum has an original Harvard on display. So on Friday 20th March, I cycled to Wigram to see what all the noise was about. It turns out that I had frequently cycled between Tensing Place and Wigram as a child to attend piano lessons: my piano tutor was not only the wife of a serving Air Force Officer, but had adopted the teaching methods of his Sergeant Major.
Most of my childhood years were spent in Christchurch at my parent’s home in Tensing Place, Riccarton. This subdivision was developed in the late 50s, and our street was named after Tenzing Norgay who, with Hillary, reach the summit of Mount Everest on 29 May 1953. As we lived near the Wigram Air Force Training Base, one of my vivid childhood memories was hearing the relentless grinding noise of the Harvard Aircraft and the shooting down of the said planes with a wooden rifle. Eight year old kids do the same today, but with a laser. The Wigram Air Force Museum has an original Harvard on display. So on Friday 20th March, I cycled to Wigram to see what all the noise was about. It turns out that I had frequently cycled between Tensing Place and Wigram as a child to attend piano lessons: my piano tutor was not only the wife of a serving Air Force Officer, but had adopted the teaching methods of his Sergeant Major.
Wigram Air Base
The Air Base is named after Sir Henry Wigram (1857 – 1934),
a Christchurch businessman and politician.
In the same year that the Wright brothers made the first controlled,
powered and sustained flight in 1903, Wigram was elected as a Member of the NZ
Parliament. Within 5 years, Wigram was pressuring
his parliamentary colleagues to create a NZ Air Force. The idea was visionary, given that it would
be another year before French aviator, Louis Blériot, made the first flight
across the English Channel. It took
another eight years and the First World War for his vision to become a reality,
and in 1916 a flying school was established at Wigram, using land that would be
official gazetted as an Air Force base in 1939 just as the world was being pushed
into a second War. The base was closed
in 1990 following the end of the cold war. Wars have a lot to answer for.
The RNZAF
The first time that the RNZAF operated overseas was in 1930
during an uprising of an ‘independence movement’ in Samoa and the Air Force
dropped their first bomb in anger on a boat of rebels. Fortunately the bomb missed its target, which
turned out to be a boat of nuns on a missionary tour from Australia.
The RNZAF provided support following the Murchison 7.8 magnitude
earthquake that struck at 10:17 am on 17 June 1929 and the 1931 Hawke's Bay 7.8
magnitude earthquake that struck at 10:47 am on 3 February 1931, killing 256
people.
The RNZAF can now only boast of 60 aircraft, which is a
significant reduction from the frantic days of the Second World War when it
operated 2,400 aircraft with 57,000 men and women – which is nearly the
population of New Plymouth City. Of
these 57,000, 10,000 became POW. Of
these 10,000, just 33 managed to escape the Axis camps. Of these 33, Warrant Officer Gordon Woodroofe
of Matamata managed to escape on 8 September 1944 after 3 years in
captivity.
The Harvard (North
American T-6 Texan)
The Harvard that the Air Force Museum has on display was used to train pilots in NZ for the Second World War and continued to do so into the 1970s. Designed by North American Aviation, the aircraft boasts a single 447 kW Pratt and Whitney Rotary engine, the same engine that made the grinding noise to kept me awake at night. Of the 17,000 units build worldwide, the RNZAF purchased 202, initially using the Lend-Lease program under which the United States supplied Allies with war materiel between 1941 and 1945. The team have done a sterling job restoring the plane – I could not find any of the holes created by the bullets that I had fired at the aircraft 50 years ago from my bunker in Tensing Place.
The Harvard that the Air Force Museum has on display was used to train pilots in NZ for the Second World War and continued to do so into the 1970s. Designed by North American Aviation, the aircraft boasts a single 447 kW Pratt and Whitney Rotary engine, the same engine that made the grinding noise to kept me awake at night. Of the 17,000 units build worldwide, the RNZAF purchased 202, initially using the Lend-Lease program under which the United States supplied Allies with war materiel between 1941 and 1945. The team have done a sterling job restoring the plane – I could not find any of the holes created by the bullets that I had fired at the aircraft 50 years ago from my bunker in Tensing Place.
I would recommend a visit to the Museum, particularly if,
like me, you grew up in Riccarton and wanted to see what all the noise was
about.
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| What all the Noise Looks Like |
Monday, 23 March 2015
A collection of recollections - from Julie
We departed Palmerston North on the 6th March to
a beautiful sunrise; a fitting farewell for our adventure. This was to be our first
experience on the Ferry with a caravan. The Ferry crossing was the longest
ever; seven hours sightseeing in Queen Charlotte Sounds due to a damaged wharf
in Picton. But to be honest we weren’t in any hurry, so we relaxed and enjoyed
the ride. They ran out of hot water after offering free tea and coffee; so in
the end they provided free hot chips. Nice gesture. But the story had a
happy ending, we were the third vehicle off the Ferry in Picton… oh yes, third off the Ferry,
after all the years of being last and last, did I say last…. It was a great
feeling, almost euphoric.
The Kaikoura peninsular walk is well worth a mention. It took most of the afternoon to complete the round trip, stopping for much needed beer and rest at the Pier Hotel, one of the older establishments in Kaikoura.
DOC, the Kaikoura District Council and local Iwi have
created an enduring legacy in the Kaikoura peninsular preservation and walk. The
establishment of the Hutton Shearwater breeding ground and protected areas also
makes for interesting reading and observation. They, like the Godwits in
Foxton, fly in seasonally, breed, feed and fly off again.
First stop was Blenheim Top Ten. It’s
a lovely camping site under the bridge. It reminded us of the story we used to read to our children, “under the bridge over the dam, looking for berries, berries for jam” (Jamberry by Bruce Degen). It’s close to town and directly
opposite Old Renwick Road that takes you to some of the best wineries in
Marlborough.
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| There is always time for a cuppa! |
The highlight of Blenheim was a visit to our favourite
winery: Wairau River Estate, about 32 km return, which we did on our bikes. Had
a lovely lunch, plenty of Vitamin D and reminded ourselves how much we
enjoy their 2012 Viognier; it tastes like the best summer ever, with fruity,
crisp flavours. A sweeter wine, it is perfect with a lunch of cheeses, breads, fruit
and relishes, followed by pav with lashings of passion fruit and coconut, and brulee
with stewed plums…divine…delicious…delectable. I am sure you can work out who
had what.
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| Lashings of Passion Fruit and Coconut |
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| Everyone's a Philosopher! |
Kaikoura was out next stop. We set up camp at Boat
Harbour, part of the Goose Bay coast line, about 18 km south of Kaikoura. We
camped just metres away from the water, with a tree framed view of the sea, a
little shingle beach and rock pools. It was breath taking. The area holds
special memories for me, as I had camped here with my parents as a teenager.
The bird life was prolific, with Bell Birds and Fantails in
the tree beside us. I saw my first black Fantail. Fantails have a black phase which
only occurrs in the South Island. I also spotted, Pied Shags, Black Back Gulls, Red
and Black Billed Gulls, Terns, Oyster Catchers, and a Reef Heron. On our walk of
the Fyffe-Palmer track, I spotted a Tomtit. I was in my element - bird book in
hand; very much an amateur, trying to identify the bird life. Most days a
couple of Fur Seals lounged on our wee beach.
However the high light of coastal watching came on our second day when a school of about 50 to 60 Dusky Dolphins appeared, heading north toward Kaikoura. It was a spectacular sight. They were flipping and diving, skimming over the water and in subsequent days we saw them again being followed by a tourist boats offering ‘To Swim with the Dolphins’. It amazed me how the Dolphins followed the boats and swum with the people in the water jumping and flipping around then. I could have watched them all day through the binoculars.
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| Red Billed Gull |
However the high light of coastal watching came on our second day when a school of about 50 to 60 Dusky Dolphins appeared, heading north toward Kaikoura. It was a spectacular sight. They were flipping and diving, skimming over the water and in subsequent days we saw them again being followed by a tourist boats offering ‘To Swim with the Dolphins’. It amazed me how the Dolphins followed the boats and swum with the people in the water jumping and flipping around then. I could have watched them all day through the binoculars.
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| Show Off |
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| Dolphins Swimming with Tourists |
The Kaikoura peninsular walk is well worth a mention. It took most of the afternoon to complete the round trip, stopping for much needed beer and rest at the Pier Hotel, one of the older establishments in Kaikoura.
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| Wayne at Work |
Boat harbour was a restful, refreshing place, and until
we return, pleasant memoires of our days there remain.
Christchurch beckoned, but Domet’s Main Line Station Café
was our first stop for a hearty breakfast. Just minutes out of Cheviot, Main
Line Station Café is quirky and quaint.
An old rail way station, it’s a tiny single room establishment, but the
food is great and on a warm summer day they provide some great outdoor dinning.
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| Do Epicene Women still Exist ? |
This notice caught my eye on the wall of the
café. It all made sense once I found out what the word ‘epicene woman’ means. So grab your dictionary and it will all become clearer....I hope all you good women take head of this 1890’s advice…
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Why Sabbaticus?
Sabbaticus is the Latin word for sabbatical. Sabbatical is an idea that became common in the late 1800’s, giving academics a year off to undertake research, to develop new skills and to become revitalised. Of course the concept of a sabbatical is much older than that, with the Biblical concept of taking a day off following a period of six days work. More recently, sabbatical includes having an extended absence from work, not as a holiday from work, but a break with the intention of achieving a goal such as learning a new skill.
What is Sabbaticus?
The idea for Julie and me to take a sabbatical was planted by a work colleague Robert Davey while I was finishing an 18 month work assignment in Christchurch leading a team of 60 designers completing the first anchor project as part of the Christchurch rebuild. Even though I had just celebrated working for 40 years for Opus, I am still a spring chicken at 57, and plan to work another 10 years before retirement. If I am lucky, I may get 15 years of retirement, although I suspect that the quality of life will be less than what I enjoy today. “Why not,” I asked, “sandwich one of these retirement years in between my remaining working years, before my body springs a leak and my mind become completely disengaged from its moorings?”
How will we do Sabbaticus?
We are using our caravan to sail around the South Island of NZ for four months. The plan is to put to port for 5 to 10 days at 20 different locations. We have christened our land ship ‘sabbaticus’.
Positive thoughts about Sabbaticus
For me, Sabbaticus presents the opportunity for intentional reflection, personal growth and renewed passion. Stored within the ship’s hold is over 50 books. Of these, only two are fiction – these being two books by Wilbur Smith, slipped up the gangway the night before I left home port of Palmerston North by my friend Ian. I am not much of a reader of fiction, and even though I’ve started the first of the two books, I am not sure I will read the second. The best book that I’ve read so far is ‘Rainbow Warrior: French Attempt to Sink Greenpeace’, by the Sunday Times (March 1986), which also has as it turns out, a maritime theme. There is something very engaging reading about an event in history that has not only occurred in your life time, but in your country.
Challenging thoughts about Sabbaticus
Over the last week I’ve been asking myself several questions, including:
Sabbaticus is the Latin word for sabbatical. Sabbatical is an idea that became common in the late 1800’s, giving academics a year off to undertake research, to develop new skills and to become revitalised. Of course the concept of a sabbatical is much older than that, with the Biblical concept of taking a day off following a period of six days work. More recently, sabbatical includes having an extended absence from work, not as a holiday from work, but a break with the intention of achieving a goal such as learning a new skill.
What is Sabbaticus?
The idea for Julie and me to take a sabbatical was planted by a work colleague Robert Davey while I was finishing an 18 month work assignment in Christchurch leading a team of 60 designers completing the first anchor project as part of the Christchurch rebuild. Even though I had just celebrated working for 40 years for Opus, I am still a spring chicken at 57, and plan to work another 10 years before retirement. If I am lucky, I may get 15 years of retirement, although I suspect that the quality of life will be less than what I enjoy today. “Why not,” I asked, “sandwich one of these retirement years in between my remaining working years, before my body springs a leak and my mind become completely disengaged from its moorings?”
How will we do Sabbaticus?
We are using our caravan to sail around the South Island of NZ for four months. The plan is to put to port for 5 to 10 days at 20 different locations. We have christened our land ship ‘sabbaticus’.
Positive thoughts about Sabbaticus
For me, Sabbaticus presents the opportunity for intentional reflection, personal growth and renewed passion. Stored within the ship’s hold is over 50 books. Of these, only two are fiction – these being two books by Wilbur Smith, slipped up the gangway the night before I left home port of Palmerston North by my friend Ian. I am not much of a reader of fiction, and even though I’ve started the first of the two books, I am not sure I will read the second. The best book that I’ve read so far is ‘Rainbow Warrior: French Attempt to Sink Greenpeace’, by the Sunday Times (March 1986), which also has as it turns out, a maritime theme. There is something very engaging reading about an event in history that has not only occurred in your life time, but in your country.
Challenging thoughts about Sabbaticus
Over the last week I’ve been asking myself several questions, including:
-
“Can I be happy when I do not have the challenges that my work brings each day?”
- “How will living each day for four months within the confinement of our small cabin affect our marriage?”
- "What are my goals and how do I structure each day to maximise the chance of achieving them?”
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| Sun Rise Kaikoura, Goose Bay, Boat Harbour.
© W Stewart 2015
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