Winter has been cast aside and spring is taking its hold, not that winter was unbearable. We had plenty of sunny days, and in greater frequency than those days with rain laden clouds. However, the temperature has risen a few degrees and spring wardrobes are receiving some much needed attention.
As for Iain and Jo. For those who weren't aware, Jo spent three weeks back in the UK whilst I spent the majority of my weekends driving south to Mount Rupaehu for some climbing whilst I gain some alpine mountaineering experience including digging and spending the night in a snowcave and my first ice climb lead; a short solo. Unfortunately, whilst we went to sleep in the cave with starry skies outside, the cloud level descended during the night and we awoke to the sight of a milky white vista. The sunset was good though. I also headed to the south island for a three day birdwatching trip.
Jo and I visited Tiri Tiri Matangi last weekend for the 'Stars of Tiri' night. Tiri is an island a few miles off Auckland which has been turned into an open sanctuary and cleared of introduced pests such as rats and mice whilst native plants, animals and birds have been re-introduced. This was an evening walk where we had the chance to see Tuatara (an ancient reptile closely related to dinosaurs), kiwis, penguins and of course, the night sky. However, the cloud had other ideas. So did the kiwi. So we were entertained by a Tuatara and a few penguins, including a very romantic pair that decided to have a cuddle instead of run for cover when our group approached.
This last weekend was the last game of Rugby Union Tri-Nations Cup. South Africa have already won the tournament, so it was the wooden spoon contest between New Zealand and Australia. The kiwis won (of course)!
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Downhill
Turangi - blink, and you'll miss it. I nearly did. Turangi is a small, rather non-descript village at the southern end of Lake Taupo (pronounced To-po) and is considered one of the premier trout fishing venues in New Zealand. It was also our base for the weekend on the mountain, a mere four hour drive from Auckland. The difference in climatic temperature was also noticeable.
We spent Saturday at Whakapapa ski field trying to remember how to control skis and boards without falling over, but i decided that it was far more fun to race headlong downhill and rely on the friction between by body and the snow to bring me to a halt!
The weather has definitely taken a wintry turn as winter storms are appearing with more regularity, interspersed with some cold sunny days and yet we are almost halfway through winter. The resident birds such as wrybill, new zealand dotterel and south island oystercatcher have already started to migrant south to begin breeding, and the high arctic breeders such as godwits and knots will return to spend their winter in the sun.
We spent Saturday at Whakapapa ski field trying to remember how to control skis and boards without falling over, but i decided that it was far more fun to race headlong downhill and rely on the friction between by body and the snow to bring me to a halt!
The weather has definitely taken a wintry turn as winter storms are appearing with more regularity, interspersed with some cold sunny days and yet we are almost halfway through winter. The resident birds such as wrybill, new zealand dotterel and south island oystercatcher have already started to migrant south to begin breeding, and the high arctic breeders such as godwits and knots will return to spend their winter in the sun.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Winter Solstice
The official start of winter in New Zealand was marked by the winter solstice, i.e. June 21st, the shortest day of the year in the southern hemisphere. To celebrate we held a Christmas party, complete with Christmas tree for some friends but alas there was no visit from Father Christmas!
The weather leading up to the winter solstice had been dry, sunny and cold but since then there has been a mixture of sunny wintry days and torrential downpours. Tornado's have been forecast for tomorrow! The notable event that marks the winter solstice is the opening of the ski fields in the North Island, a mere four hour drive along New Zealand woefully inadequate excuse of a motorway, State Highway 1.
In an almost mirror image of the European football season, which I believe started again on Tuesday in Malta, of all places, the New Zealand rugby season feels like it has only just ended but has also re-started with the commencement of the Air New Zealand Cup, i.e. the provisional club rugby competition where players are vying for spots in one of the Super 14 rosters. Although the majority of the (rugby) news is centred upon the All Black's injury list, which is almost as long as the list of players available, and a French rugby player who has been telling everyone a jackanory! So much so that the French President has written an apology to his New Zealand counterpart.
The rest of the world's news seems to bypass New Zealand!
The weather leading up to the winter solstice had been dry, sunny and cold but since then there has been a mixture of sunny wintry days and torrential downpours. Tornado's have been forecast for tomorrow! The notable event that marks the winter solstice is the opening of the ski fields in the North Island, a mere four hour drive along New Zealand woefully inadequate excuse of a motorway, State Highway 1.
In an almost mirror image of the European football season, which I believe started again on Tuesday in Malta, of all places, the New Zealand rugby season feels like it has only just ended but has also re-started with the commencement of the Air New Zealand Cup, i.e. the provisional club rugby competition where players are vying for spots in one of the Super 14 rosters. Although the majority of the (rugby) news is centred upon the All Black's injury list, which is almost as long as the list of players available, and a French rugby player who has been telling everyone a jackanory! So much so that the French President has written an apology to his New Zealand counterpart.
The rest of the world's news seems to bypass New Zealand!
Friday, 5 June 2009
Winter
The southern hemisphere winter has finally arrived. To celebrate we have invited a few friends around for a Christmas dinner in a few weeks times. However, whilst it is cold, it doesn't feel like winter. In truth, it feels like an 'Indian Summer' autumn. The leaves on the trees have only recently started to turn in colour in the last few weeks, with some amazing colours, especially the rows of vines. The weather has also been amazing with clear blue skies and some fantastic sunrises and sunsets. This morning the Waitemata Harbour, i.e. Auckland Harbour, was covered in mist, the first I've seen here. There was also a slightly eerie feeling to it as boats glided past on the edge of the mist or emerged from within the mist itself delivering the commuters to the real and visible world and away from the mystery hidden in the depths of the mist.
There has also been frost on the ground in the last week, which the locals remark upon in great detail. The Kiwis have the same fascination with the weather, complaining mainly of the cold on a daily basis, as the British do, complaining about the rain. There is also huge debate about how cold buildings are which is unsurprising given that virtually no house or building in New Zealand appears to have draft excluders, insulation, central heating or double glazing. Despite the technology being available no-one has done anything about the situation, and so it continues. The passengers of the cruise ship that docked this week probably received something of a shock upon disembarking as well!
The average daytime temperature in Auckland this week has been about 13 degrees (C). Granted its much colder on the South Island and a few of the ski fields have opened, with Mount Ruapehu ski fields (North Island) set to open in a fortnight.
Lately we have visited a succession of fantastic beaches, both north (Pakiri and Mangawhai) and west (Muriwai) of Auckland as well as the Waitakere Hills where we have falling off mountain bikes and hanging around in trees. Jo and I also went to see the Killers and an Irish comic, Ed Byrne, as part of the Auckland International Comedy Festival as well as checking out the penguins, sharks and sting rays at the Antarctic World. I also have to contend with the joy and disappointment of Manchester United retaining the Premiership but losing the Champions League final. Rugby obviously dominates here, along with Netball(!) and there is a huge amount of speculation about who will be playing for the All Blacks in the forthcoming tests against France and Italy and then the Tri-nations series. However, the NZ media is extremely parochial.
There has also been frost on the ground in the last week, which the locals remark upon in great detail. The Kiwis have the same fascination with the weather, complaining mainly of the cold on a daily basis, as the British do, complaining about the rain. There is also huge debate about how cold buildings are which is unsurprising given that virtually no house or building in New Zealand appears to have draft excluders, insulation, central heating or double glazing. Despite the technology being available no-one has done anything about the situation, and so it continues. The passengers of the cruise ship that docked this week probably received something of a shock upon disembarking as well!
The average daytime temperature in Auckland this week has been about 13 degrees (C). Granted its much colder on the South Island and a few of the ski fields have opened, with Mount Ruapehu ski fields (North Island) set to open in a fortnight.
Lately we have visited a succession of fantastic beaches, both north (Pakiri and Mangawhai) and west (Muriwai) of Auckland as well as the Waitakere Hills where we have falling off mountain bikes and hanging around in trees. Jo and I also went to see the Killers and an Irish comic, Ed Byrne, as part of the Auckland International Comedy Festival as well as checking out the penguins, sharks and sting rays at the Antarctic World. I also have to contend with the joy and disappointment of Manchester United retaining the Premiership but losing the Champions League final. Rugby obviously dominates here, along with Netball(!) and there is a huge amount of speculation about who will be playing for the All Blacks in the forthcoming tests against France and Italy and then the Tri-nations series. However, the NZ media is extremely parochial.
Friday, 10 April 2009
Autumn news
Been a while since we last posted. In that we have now both moved up to Auckland, I'm working for an environmental consultancy called ERM whilst Jo has a job at Starship, the Children's Hospital. A couple of nights ago we went to see The Killers, which was a great concert and possibly one of the best receptions I've seen a band receive. We also went to see Billy Connolly, who was as funny as ever.
My folks came over to visit in February and we caught up with them in Kaikoura whilst Jo's mum came over in March. Jo and Joan had a week travelling around the South Island by train and bus, before Joan took the overlander train from Wellington to Auckland. We then headed up to the Bay of Island and visited the hellhole of the pacific, Russell, but we were about 150 years too late! We also went to Waitangi (where the British and Maori signed a treaty but the British then unsurprisingly reneged on it) and Kawakawa which have the most photographed public toilets in the world thanks to Friedrich Hundertwasser! I also organised an evening walk to see some kiwi! Took about three hours.
Winter is now just around the corner; the temperatures have dropped and its started to rain and hail. However, the Easter weather is good for a change, unlike the UK on a public holiday.
My folks came over to visit in February and we caught up with them in Kaikoura whilst Jo's mum came over in March. Jo and Joan had a week travelling around the South Island by train and bus, before Joan took the overlander train from Wellington to Auckland. We then headed up to the Bay of Island and visited the hellhole of the pacific, Russell, but we were about 150 years too late! We also went to Waitangi (where the British and Maori signed a treaty but the British then unsurprisingly reneged on it) and Kawakawa which have the most photographed public toilets in the world thanks to Friedrich Hundertwasser! I also organised an evening walk to see some kiwi! Took about three hours.
Winter is now just around the corner; the temperatures have dropped and its started to rain and hail. However, the Easter weather is good for a change, unlike the UK on a public holiday.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Happy New Year!
Finally settled in Auckland (moved here for work) although Jo remains in Wellington for the time being while she works her notice. Auckland is much more like, and what you would expect from a city than Wellington, its bigger, both geographically and vertically and there's more on offer. Wellington is compact, everything is centrally located, which is not the case for Auckland, but its nice in its own way. The weather is one noticeable difference, less wind and more sun.
Since the last entry, Jo's dad (also Ian) came to visit, so after celebrating NYE in Wellington, we headed North for Napier where we enjoyed Fish and Chips and a wine tasting tour by bike. A great way to see the area! Moved on to Rotorua to experience the geothermal wonders of the region including the Lady Knox Geyser and then onto the Coromandel Peninsular including a visit to Cathedral Cove which has been used as a film scene in the past including Prince Caspian. Then, after a 2 hour dirt track drive across the peninsular, we headed for Auckland to find a flat whilst the other Ian went sailing on one of the America's cup yachts.
The following day we went on a dolphin watching trip. The guys on the boat were extremely informative and funny plus we managed to see common dolphin and 2 brydes whale's as well as several species of seabird.
Headed back South via the Tongariro National Park, stunning views, shame about the hotel which had a nice exterior but extremely poor service and food - so avoid the Grand Chateaux at all costs. A friend has also confirmed this opinion!
Then it was over to Melbourne for my cousins wedding but spent a day birding with The Melbourne Birder, aka Steve Davidson. One of the best day's birding ever, Steve is a top birder, and extremely knowledgeable as well as being funny and friendly too! It felt like I'd been out for a day's birding with a mate rather than a guide. Saw 123 species of which about 80 were lifers.
Finally settled in Auckland (moved here for work) although Jo remains in Wellington for the time being while she works her notice. Auckland is much more like, and what you would expect from a city than Wellington, its bigger, both geographically and vertically and there's more on offer. Wellington is compact, everything is centrally located, which is not the case for Auckland, but its nice in its own way. The weather is one noticeable difference, less wind and more sun.
Since the last entry, Jo's dad (also Ian) came to visit, so after celebrating NYE in Wellington, we headed North for Napier where we enjoyed Fish and Chips and a wine tasting tour by bike. A great way to see the area! Moved on to Rotorua to experience the geothermal wonders of the region including the Lady Knox Geyser and then onto the Coromandel Peninsular including a visit to Cathedral Cove which has been used as a film scene in the past including Prince Caspian. Then, after a 2 hour dirt track drive across the peninsular, we headed for Auckland to find a flat whilst the other Ian went sailing on one of the America's cup yachts.
The following day we went on a dolphin watching trip. The guys on the boat were extremely informative and funny plus we managed to see common dolphin and 2 brydes whale's as well as several species of seabird.
Headed back South via the Tongariro National Park, stunning views, shame about the hotel which had a nice exterior but extremely poor service and food - so avoid the Grand Chateaux at all costs. A friend has also confirmed this opinion!
Then it was over to Melbourne for my cousins wedding but spent a day birding with The Melbourne Birder, aka Steve Davidson. One of the best day's birding ever, Steve is a top birder, and extremely knowledgeable as well as being funny and friendly too! It felt like I'd been out for a day's birding with a mate rather than a guide. Saw 123 species of which about 80 were lifers.
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