Porters Pass & our Puncture!

Friday, 11th January we left our peaceful campground at Ashley Gorge ( Len loved it as the camp shop had his favourite icecreams!) and after dumping, topping up with water and refilling our gas bottle we headed on our way through Arthur's Pass to Greymouth. The plan was to have another swim in the river before leaving but the day dawned cloudy and a bit cool.

Just before Porters Pass where the road gets steep and windy the bus did a huge rattly jolt which totally took us by surprise. Luckily we were just  few yards from a rest area and Len was able to pull in. I inspected the inside of the bus while Len checked the tyres. His gut feeling was right - one of our inside back tyres had burst and split showing bits of wire poking from out of the rubber. The first thought was to ring Covi Insurance with whom we had just taken out a roadside assistance policy, with having had 2 previous punctures on this trip, and finding that these tyres aren't the easiest to change without the right jack and tools!
However we had no signal on our phones so that was out. We had a cup of coffee while we pondered whether one of us would climb the nearest very big hill, write 'HELP' on a big white sheet, wave someone down or just wait for someone else to stop for a rest.

My prayers were answered when a young couple with a baby stopped to change drivers and we managed to run after them and explain our dilemma. They were originally Westcoasters but now lived in Christchurch and were on their way back to Greymouth for the annual Kumera Races that they go to every year. A lovely couple who didn't hesitate to offer help with the husband taking Len back a few kms down the road where he could get reception to ring Covi who were also very good. We only had to wait about an hour for the Bridgestone truck to arrive from Rolleston and the guy did a great job changing the tyre as fast as he could with the sandflies driving him crazy.

Fastest wheel change ever!

We are so grateful to the couple who stopped as they relieved us of a real quandary and lots of angst. I wish I had got their names - my head was obviously not quite in the right place.

It was a relief to have the tyre fixed and be back on the road, up Porters Pass and past Castle Hill where there are a plethora of limestone boulders which look like they are forming parts of old castles. 

An amazing sight and popular with rock climbers. The front of the Christchirch Cathedral was apparently made from the stones on Castle Hill. We could have stopped and done the walk up and around them as other travellers were doing but instead carried onto Lake Pearson, a DOC campsite right by the lake where we stayed the night.

There were about 4 vehicles there when we arrived but probably close to 20 by dusk. A nice stopping place with some duck families to keep us entertained as well as little fish feeding and making circles on the lake surface.

Oxford & Ashley Gorge Kiwi Camp

Well there were no fish to be found in the Waimakariri River though Len had fun trying! So after eating our Sheffield pies, which were nice, we drove on to Oxford where we dumped, filled up with fresh water and did a grocery shop before settling in to the paddock at the rear of the Oxford Workingmens Club where NZMCA members can stay for free. One other couple were parked there in there caravan. We had thought we would support the club by buying takeaways from them, the restaurant itself not being open during the week  but the menu unfortunately  didn't tempt us at all to divert from our leftovers.

It was a nice tranquil parking spot however. The next morning we filled our gas bottle and set off up the road for a ridiculous 10 minutes to the Ashley Gorge Kiwi Holiday Park, a lovely tree filled spot with just the public domain between the camp and the river with a charge of $40 a night which includes a token for a hot shower.

Our resting place for 2 days 

Quite a few families staying here but still stacks of room with 100 sites in all. We have no close neighbours but are close to the amenities and clotheslines with lots of wires missing.

It was a sunny hot day and even though we felt like jumping straight into the river I was keen to do our big load of washing, managing to fit it on one of the lines. Then we went exploring, firstly following the tracks along the river as far as we could and then to the 3/4 hour loop walk through the trees on the other side of the bridge.

View from the bridge (c 1992)

The water in the river is quite low at the moment so there is quite a bit of stone walking through the shallows to get to the odd deep pool on the other side.

It's a great place to stay so we decided to stay another night here - after all, this trip we are all about not being in a rush!
So Thursday has arrived and it's nice to know we'll have another relaxing day here. It rained in the night and the forecast for today was ominous so we were very pleased to see a blue sky after opening the curtains. The must do things for today were to have a swim, use the camp oven for my monthly rum-filled fruit cake and re-do the New Years blog which wouldn't publish and those are all now completed in time for our afternoon cuppa.

The swim in the river was great - just difficult getting over the stones in bare feet. I should have followed Len's method and left my sandals on. 

Refreshing!

Seems the sand flies like this spot too!

The water temperature was surprisingly nice so quite easy to get into and because we went soon after breakfast we beat the rush of kids to the deeper pool. Just 2 boys and their dad while we were there. It was very relaxing sitting in our chairs on the riverside afterwards apart from having to slap the occasional sandfly! I suspect this is just the beginning of the angst they'll cause us!

Afterwards it wasn't long before I had the cake in the oven and another small load of washing on the line. Time for that cuppa now while we watch new arrivals setting up and maybe after that another swim while the sun is still shining.

Waimakariri Golf Course to Oxford via Sheffield & Springfield

It was drizzly right through the night at Rakaia Gorge Camp with grey clouds still layered across the sky in the morning. With all the rain further up the mountains the river was also grey and murky instead of the beautiful, brilliant azure which makes such a spectacular sight when you drive down into the gorge.

We took our time leaving our awesome campsite allowing time for some breaks in the cloud. This time our direction was towards the Waimakariri Golf Course, a quiet but well looked after country course with some wide views out to the river and the alps.  

Gorge-ous!

Another one ticked off!

As with most other country courses the clubhouse was closed up, being a Monday, and we only saw about 6 others players besides a voluntary groundsman.
It was a nice temperature to play in with cloud still covering most of the sky and we both had quite good games, Len winning match play on the 17th. 

Ball flying onto green!

At least I'm getting closer to him these days on match play!

We stayed at the course overnight with our intention the next morning  being to retrace our steps slightly and go to the CAP (charges apply property) at Springfield which has good reviews and apparently water and washing facilities.

Driving through tiny Sheffield, even though it was a hot sunny day again, we spotted the many cars parked outside the "world famous pies" cafe and the queue of people inside so we decided that was a must do. As I write this we haven't eaten them yet as it's not quite lunchtime and Len is now trying his spinner out on the Waimakariri River. Might be fish for dinner again. Yum. I'll have to report on the pies later!

After leaving Sheffield we soon arrived at the Springfield camp which seemed a quiet peaceful site. The campground manager who lives in a caravan wasn't in as his wife had a bleeding nose requiring medical attention but one of the other campers explained what was what. They have a dump station and water but only one washing machine which was already grinding away on a long cycle. No drier or preferred clothes line but other people did have lines strung discretely between the trees. However because I have a big wash this time with sheets, pillowcases, duvet cover, towels etc - maybe 2 loads to wait in a possible queue for and then hang out we made the call to move on towards the Ashley Gorge Camp which should have more and better facilities. We'll probably stop for the night in Oxford where we'll do our grocery shopping and then go to the Ashley Gorge - the washing can wait till tomorrow!

That's how we have ended up back at the Waimakariri River as it is enroute to Oxford and we're in no rush. 

Looks like we'll have to break into the meat pack!

Len hasn't returned back to the bus with a fish yet though so I need to go and investigate. He'll be getting hungry for his pie!

Lake Coleridge and Rakaia Gorge Camp

Another sunny day on Saturday 5th January and Lake Coleridge was the destination despite the high country warnings of gale force winds.

Coming through Windwhistle, so named for a reason, we experienced the dress rehearsal of these but the side-winds weren't so bad for the rest of the trip up the fairly quiet road to the 'village' of Lake Coleridge which really is just a tiny housing settlement but all very well looked after with plentiful wide mown areas alongside the roads. We found the NZMCA POP quite easily with it being just down the road and around the corner from the village, almost opposite the fire station. 

No automatic gate at this campground!

The POP is just at one end of a large paddock with longish grass and plenty of thistles but a lovely view of the mountain at one end, trees along one side and very quiet. One other couple from Blenheim were there but they left in the afternoon being replaced by a Dutch couple from Cambridge.

We were greeted by friendly Sam who lives in the house next door and, along with her husband, keeps an eye on the property - just a donation of $5 a night to stay.

Walking was our plan for the day so before lunch we walked on further down the road to the very new cemetery and Rakaia River where we did the tail race  loop walk which took us to the Power Station and it's outlet before returning back to camp.

T at tailrace to Rakaia connection 

First NZ hydro power station 

Which colour are we following?

After lunch we walked to Lake Coleridge, the track being part of the Aotearoa Trail,  accidentally completing the "Blue Trail" tree loop walk when we first started, simply because one of the orange markers we were meant to be following was obscured by foliage!
The walk started with a long steep ascent firstly through an open area with wild daisies and then winding up through a wooded area.

Hang on to your hat!

Quite a good workout!

I'm sure it's this way!

When we thought we were nearly at the top the track it unfortunately went onroad so the rest of the walk was on the gravel but there weren't too many cars about.

We only met one person doing the Aotearoa walk - a girl from Wellington who had been walking all day.

Are we there yet??

We continued to gradually climb up the road with the strong headwind for what seemed like ages before we finally got a view of the beautiful turquoise man-made lake, the purest lake in NZ we believe.

Still got my hat and we're nearly there!

 It looked more like the sea with all the white caps and quite big waves coming into the shore. 

Tides coming in!

It was worth the walk but we were pleased to have a tailwind and a descent all the way home. The trip, including the extra loop we did, took us nearly 3.5 hours. 18,000 steps today so the beer tasted good when we got our feet up!

Our neighbours moved off early the next morning at about 8.30. It was more like 10.00am before we left the site. We could hear the strong winds in the night but we were quite protected and the bus barely buffeted. Around midnight there had been a dog furiously barking followed by 2 gunshots. We think maybe it was a pig hunter. The morning was sunny initially but it soon clouded over once we were on the road with mist steadily descending and a bit of light drizzle. We didn't have too far to travel with wanting to stay at the Rakaia Gorge Camp where we stayed for 3 nights 6 years ago. It's a simply beautiful spot with spectacular views overlooking the azure river.

Prime spot!

The campground is pristine with it's fairly secluded camping spots nestled into the hedges and good, clean shower, toilet and dish washing facilities. No power but the fee is only $20 - good value for a great site. We have been given a prime site with the best view over the river - just a pity that the drizzle is now a little heavier and it is misty!

We did have a short walk earlier up the Taniwha walk to a good viewing point though. It's good that we did the awesome 4 hour return walk up the river 6 years ago as the weather isn't  the greatest for it today. Apparently they had scary gale force winds here last night and the camp manager has told us to move further into the camp if they return.
Instead of going fishing in the river, which was the intention, Len has decided to stay put in the bus this afternoon and enjoy the gluten free date scones I have just made whilst he watches the fishing show on TV!

Coalgate, Whitecliffs Domain, Methven

After our 2 nights at the Hororata golf course in Glentunnel we drove around the corner, through the tiny settlement of Coalgate, to the circular Centennial Coalgate Bluff walkway which our golfing partners had suggested we do. It was a little difficult to find as there was no signage visible from the road but after driving past it and then back we did guess where it might be which luckily was correct. Pauline said it only took her 50 minutes to do so we didn't bother taking any water but after walking about 200 metres and finding the sign we found it said 2-3 hours! 

Anyway we decided to press on, doing the climb up to the Bluff first. It was very windy but after a steady climb there were great views out across the Canterbury plains to the Port Hills. It was sunny and hot with plenty of dragonflies about.

By the time we reached the edge of the large plantation of trees with farmland still on our left we were more protected. However the track coming down through the trees to the river was very steep and slippery with pine needles and the trees were creaking a lot with the wind.  Originally there would have been  steps on the steepest parts of the track but only the remains of these could be seen suggesting that no maintenance has been done since the millennium! We didn't see any other people on the track so I guess it's not used much. Once down to the Selwyn river we could hear the water and get glimpses of it every now and then when the shrubbery and trees were thinner. We could hear people playing on the golf course across the river. I think we ended up taking less than an hour and a half so we were fine without the water. Besides there were plenty of wild plums about even though they were still a little bitter.

Following the walk we drove back through Glentunnel to Whitecliff's Domain, a large virtually free (donation only) camping area amongst lots of trees next to the Selwyn River.

Lucky to get TV signal here

How to lose that spare tyre!

It was busy with what looked like a whole streetload of friends, complete with their own cable drum bar, camped down the far end. It seems they come and go from there all summer (for the last 27 years!) although 28 days is meant to be the max. It was a great camping spot and the long drop toilets were kept very clean which is a change from a lot of places. Luckily we are very happy with our bus loo though.

We had planned to drive up to Lake Coleridge the next day but needed to dump first and fill up with water so we had to turn back to Rakaia where there is a dump station by the river. Unfortunately there was no  water and the little camp ground up the road, being on tank water, had barely enough for it's own visitors so we had to go back to Methven where we knew there was water. The only problem there was that it was a different kind of tap and neither of our 2 hose fittings were small enough. Luckily the couple who had filled up just before us kindly lent us theirs. After their 10-15 minute wait for us to use it they were very pleased to be the recipients of our one and only cake of chocolate! And we were very grateful as the only hardware shop in town - Hammer Hardware - didn't have that hose fitting in stock.

I'm in need of a haircut but both the hairdressers in town were closed even though it was a Friday. I remember that 6 years ago I went to a hairdresser in Methven who worked from her own house but she doesn't seem to be about anymore.

So, being back in Methven we decided to play golf again on the course that we played 6 years ago in the thick mist and light drizzle from memory. A different day this time with blue sky and hot .  We couldn't really remember the course from last time except for the pretty and pristine stone edged little lake near the 14th tee.
We found the fairway grass a little long so the ball wasn't running like at Hororata and the ball would be enveloped in longish grass and dried clippings if you couldn't stay on the fairways. We were both disappointed with our games especially me after my amazing score at Hororata! A come-uppance I think!

Leaving our accommodation 

We stayed the night in the carpark which you can do when you play. No showers in the Clubhouse unfortunately so the bus one was the fall back.

New years Day, Take 2 - Fishing and Hororata Golf

This blog is titled "Take 2" as for some obscure reason it is sitting on my phone in saving mode and refuses to publish or open. And I have been trying for 10 days! Len has looked on the Internet and found that other people are asking the same question as to how to fix it but with no replies.

So I have to try to use my memories! Not hard to think of the main content as Len caught 2 big kahawai on New Year's Day and I won a golf tournament the next day! It's the detail that's more difficult.

New Years Day dawned sunny and warm? we think, and after 3 consecutive days of golf it was definitely time to go fishing again so we drove from the Tinwald Golf course to the coast just south of the Ashburton/Hakatere river mouth. We wound down the gravel road to a large parking area which seemed to be still quite a walk to the river mouth so instead of fishing there Len decided to walk over the stoney embankment and fish in the sea. It was an hour or so before high tide and the water seemed quite deep and calm. I said I would join him after getting the blog up to date.

Within a minute of Len leaving a couple of utes came hurtling downhill around the stoney corner nearly losing control as they did so. Then they tried to get up the deep loose-stoned embankment, particularly difficult for the ute with a pile of wooden pallets on the back, but eventually they managed.

Within 5 minutes Len was back with a big kahawai which he gave me to take care of before heading back 'to catch another'. At that point the young people in the utes were making a good bonfire with the pallets so I was being entertained for the 5 minutes that it took for Len's return with another kahawai. So that was the fishing done for the day! Len soon had it marinating in the brown sugar and salt ready to put in the smoker the next day.

So with half the day still ahead of us we drove onto Hororata golf course at Glentunnel where we had put our names down to play in their Golf Tournament the following day. They were happy for us to stay at the course for a couple of nights. There was one other couple staying there in their horse box but they weren't playing in the tournament. It would have been interesting to see just what set up they had in their horse box!

After dinner we walked around the beautiful  course to get a feel for it - we're pleased we did as 3 fairways had hidden clearwater streams. A beautiful setting with the hills and trees and the course was in great condition with fast fairways but challenging greens, especially the practice green which we had great difficulty with. Luckily the greens on the course seemed easier to read.

Len and I played with 2 local ladies in the tournament - another Trish & Pauline who Len, in a very complimentary way, felt could have been a Topp triplet. Anyway I had an excellent game for me, best I have played for ages, getting 40 Stableford points.  It would have been 42 but for the penalty I took for playing the wrong ball out of a very watery GUR area. Same make of ball but no T on it! A good lesson for me to always identify it properly.

As we were one of the first groups out on the course we had a long wait for all the other players to come in so there was plenty of time to chat, eat our complimentary hamburgers and drink. I was chuffed to win the ladies division, being second overall, my prize being a big meat pack which I just managed to squeeze into our little freezer. I also won first prize in the raffle, another meat pack, which I was only too pleased to give to Trish & Pauline!

So all in all, with Len's 2 fish and my golf winnings we had a very successful 2 days with enough meat and fish (with another catch or 3) to last us a couple of months.

Greendale, Ashburton & Tinwald Golf Courses

Saturday was very hot and sunny when we arrived at the Greendale country course where it was Club Day. 

We could have waited until 12.30 and joined in with the members but decided to play before it got even hotter - about 30° I think. The course was interesting - mainly flat with good fairways but with a knob or 2 and some rough areas out wide.

We joined the members in the clubhouse after they had finished play and found, yet again, that the world is full of amazing coincidences. Out of the 4 men we were sitting with one was from Whitehaven where Len is from and the other from Carlisle which is very close by. They have both emigrated here.

No showers at this course but after a bus shower we had a quiet night staying in the carpark.

Good catch up!

Sunday we met up with our Ohope friends, Owen and Gilda, at Ashburton Golf Course which is listed in our NZMCA book as an overnight stay, free if you pay green fees. Nice club rooms with a shower available and we enjoyed playing on the parklike course with it's plentiful bunkers. Not many people around but one other non playing motorhomer did arrive to stay the night. The course also had a man, the Club Monitor, who was there for a while "keeping an eye on things".

We had a great evening with Owen & Gilda, celebrating their wedding anniversary as well as an early New Years eve. We opened the ham that Len had won in the Kaikoura Golf tournament and were pleased to be able to give away plenty so we don't have to eat it all. We have put some in the freezer so we can spread the ham meals out!

On Monday we said "why not play golf 3 days in a row?" and after saying our goodbyes to Owen and Gilda and doing our washing at the Ashburton laundry we
set off for Tinwald Golf course which is just south and slightly West of Ashburton. 

Our 2018 new year's eve venue

Another nice parklike course with a variety of trees including conifers, willows and some deciduous ones including a walnut, some bunkers and several trickily placed drains running across about 6 of the fairways, one being very close to a green. Of course we both ended up in that one! However I had my best game for ages and Len also played well, resulting in a match play draw!

Again not many people around but we checked with the greenkeeper who was very happy for us to stay the night saying that it would keep the boy racers from doing their wheelies on the gravel carpark! I had a shower in the clubhouse and we had a nice quiet New Years Eve parked behind the big hedge. For some reason we lost our TV reception early on so it was a night of scrabble - another draw after 3 games. A good way to end the year - evenly matched at both golf and scrabble!