Rabbits, Rose Hips, Rifleman, Reviews and High Tea - by Julie

A glorious day saw us heading toward Aoraki /Mt Cook, stopping, as we all must, at Pukaki to look across the magnificent glacial blue water to the king of the Mountains - Aoraki. We took photos, purchased some Twizel salmon and Ben Ohau cheese and continued on our way.

Travelling from Tekapo to Mount Cook

Glentanner camping ground was not what we expected…. but in its unique way, it was exactly right for this alpine setting.  No manicured lawns or clearly marked camp sites.  It was two or three paddocks with path ways and roads cut through the tussock and bush.  It had a few powered sites and the essential amenities. ‘Help yourself,’ was what the receptionist instructed.  So we drove around until we found the million dollar view and set up camp.

Our Camping Ground

 

Snowberry Lane

Our first night produced a pink sky at sunset and more rabbits than I’ve ever seen.  Unashamedly, hopping around, their little eyes glowing at you in the dark as you made your way to the loo.

View from Our Camp Site

View from Our Camp Site

 

Our time at Mt Cook went quickly and we enjoyed the company of Jonathan who travelled down from Christchurch on Easter Sunday to spend the night with us.  We explored the Hooker Valley and the Tasman Glacier.  We also went looking for the Blue Lakes, which DOC signs assured us could be found: but all we found were some muddy pools. 

Mother and Son Searching for the Blue Lakes

We experienced some extreme weather - from brilliant clear days to wet windy nights.  On our final night we lay awake being rocked from side to side, hoping we wouldn’t take off.  But that’s Mt Cook for you. Its rugged terrain and harsh environment should never be taken for granted. Mt Cook has two faces. On a great day, it offers magnificent views of mountains, glaciers and sky and affords an alpine experience that is priceless. But when stormy clouds cover the sky, there is a sense of menace, of darkness, of a mountain brooding.  A mountain that shows no mercy. I am always mindful of the harshness of this environment and its ability to turn on you. I have a respectful fear of it.

 

 

 

What did we see and experience in the alpine region? The continued proliferation of the humble Rose Hip, also known as rose haw or rose hep. We knew Rose Hip was running rampant in the Mackenzie Basin, but didn’t realise it was also at Mt Cook. Its origin eludes me. Were they introduced? I tried to find the answer to this question from Google, but nothing surfaced.  They grow like gorse, but at this time of the year their red fruit, colours the otherwise brown landscape.

Rose Hips

While Rose Hips abound, so too does the humble rabbit… this camping ground was teaming with them. But in saying that, I was only able to capture a few on film; and then usually only a view of their rear end as they scurried off, perhaps to a burrow. Certainly not to Mr McGregor’s garden.

With my trustee Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand by Hugh Robertson & Barry Heather I was able to identify my first rifleman.  Dear little bird who flits and flirts from bush to bush leading me a merry chase to acquire a better look. They are quite bold little birds and ventured to settle on chairs outside the van. Other bird life included pheasants, fantails and chaffinches.

The Rifleman

In true pioneer spirit, and because we were in the high country, a traditional high tea was demanded.  With tea tray laden with cups and teapot, a jug of milk, jam, cream and freshly made gluten free pikelets, we enjoyed this most delightful ritual… high tea in the high country with the most spectacular views.

High Tea

High Country Lady

Tasting Time

So what have we been reading? One of Wayne’s best reads was The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary.  The book was written by Simon Winchester, one of Wayne’s favourite authors.  It provides a detailed account of how the first Oxford Dictionary was written – a project that was significantly over time and over budget.  It would make a good case study for those studying the art of Project Management.    

As for me, I have re-read Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafter. It’s a beautifully crafted book, written in letter form about the invasion of the Guernsey Islands by the Germans during WWII. What resonates with me about this book is the underlying theme of the power of books, and the written word to collectively unite people everywhere. It’s a story of people finding each other and building friendship so deep they become more family than just friends and through their love of books and words they find themselves.  An uplifting read

I am also reading Benedictus: A Book Of Blessings; (one of those books you keep reading), a book of blessings by John O’ Donohue. I have a feeling this book picked me. It’s a reflective and refreshing book of poems, readings and meditations.  I also read The art of hearing heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker;…A beautiful read which left me with more than just a feel good experience, it connected with me on a deeper level, highly recommend.  Finally two books by Jenny Pattrick;  The landing which is set up the Wanganui River and Denniston Rose which uses the Denniston Mines on the West Coast as its backdrop. Both interesting reads in terms of NZ history and early life in NZ.

That’s all from me, thanks for taking the time to connect with me today.

P.S. We cycling the Otago Rail Trail next week - so it may be a week before our next blog.  

Go well.

Photos album follows....

 

Aoraki from Pukaki

 

 

Aoraki on a Good Day

 

Hooker Valley.

 

On the Way to Hooker Valley.

 

Hooker Valley - at the top.

 

I Hearting?

 

The Changing Mood of Aoraki.

 

  

 

 

 

The Hermitage - Company was Good, Unlike the Pizza.

 

Father and Son.