A short tramp up Coppermine creek

 Thursday 21 March - Our group of 15 Thursday trampers headed through the Gorge to the Coppermine creek car park on the Woodville side of the hills.  We walked a relatively short loop and explored a couple of old tracks that our leader knew about.  It was just a 4 1/2 hour walk - we were out by 1 pm - hardly earned our ice creams today!  However it was a new circuit close to home for me,  and the basic loop would be an ideal bush and farmland walk of 2-3 hours to take the granddaughters out on one day I hope.

At the site of the old Coppermine creek hut - removed many years ago

Looking across to "The Pretender" 967m.  You can see this peak from Palmerston North and people think it is the highest point in these hills (Maharahara 1095m) which is obscured and you cannot see from PN - hence the name.

Looking south to Wharite peak and the Wairarapa

Out on the bush edge having lunch looking towards Dannevirke

The track returns to the car park across farmland.  A view looking up Coppermine creek where we started our walk.

The golden summer of 2013

A couple of photos taken near home, looking toward to the hills, during the big drought of summer 2013.  These photos were taken on 10 March.

A day at the cricket

Thursday 14 March - at the Basin Reserve.  Day one of the test match between NZ and England.  A bad start, we had to queue for 45 minutes to get in, and missed the first of only two English wickets that fell on the day!  Highlights of the day were the paradise duck that moved around to different fielding positions during the morning.  Fortunately it never got hit.  Apparently it even had it's own twitter account during the day.  Another highlight was " the new pope" in full regalia circulating around the ground blessing the crowd - complete with a bottle of beer in each hand.  The Barmy Army were in full song as the day belonged to England.

The duck at third slip

Lots of English supporters

Can you spot Royce?

Barmy Army leader and Lord Nelson lead their supporters

A hot day on the bank

At school with Isla and Brielle

Friday 15 March - we walked to school with Isla and Brielle, and had time to visit both their classrooms.  We met Brielle's friend Toby and Isla showed us her work displayed on the classroom walls.

A tramp up historic Sheridan creek

13 March - a tramp with the Wednesday group from the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing club (12 in our group).  We set off from Otaki forks and walked up Sheridan creek following an old logging tramway.  Boilers and small parts of the rail tracks have been restored by DOC and volunteers.  We left the creek and bush-bashed our way uphill to the Field hut track and walked back down this way.  It made an interesting 5 hour circuit.

Morning tea stop at a restored boiler

Returning down the Field hut track - another golden day in the summer of 2013.

A family get together

7 March - at Mother's house. Good to catch up with Amy and George while they were in PN.  Also a farewell to Tomoko and family who were flying to Auckland later this same afternoon, on the way to return to Japan for about three months.  Tomoko was remarkably relaxed!

It was quite a challenge getting this group photo.  Note Mother in the background photographing the photographers!

Little did we know that Mother was photographing the paparazzi!

Two tramps in Tongariro National Park

6 March - a tramp from the Desert Road across to the Chateau with the Wednesday tramping group from the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club (24 in our group).  A 23km walk which took almost 6 hours.  We passed Waihohonu hut, the lower Tama lake and Taranaki falls along the way.

Lower Tama lake

9 March - A walk from the Desert Road up the Tukino 4WD ski field road to reach Whangaehu hut at 2,000m.  This was a Saturday trip - just three of us.  It was a 6 1/2 day including a side trip to view the Whangaehu river bridge

Walking up the Tukino 4WD drive road - approaching the ski buildings

Higher still and looking down towards the Desert Road

The Whangaehu river - many lahars have gouged out this valley

In spite of the warning sign I did stop to take a photo.  The footbridge across the Whangaehu river can be seen to the left.

Returning to our car - Rangipo truly is a desert!

West wind recreation park - near Makara

We enjoyed a three hour explore of this recreation park which is near Makara beach.  We walked the Opau loop - about 2 hours - with its stunning views, then took a side trip to look at some old WWII gun emplacements.  This is a great park to visit, but it is very exposed - best done on a calm day!

First stop on the walk - a giant wind turbine dwarfing Royce

A cutting on the track

What a view! The South Island in the distance

Old gun emplacements

More mountain biking in March

Mountain biking in Wellington at Makara bike park - the chain ring tree -  there is a geocache here

Owen riding in a local race - this is on a life-style block in Turitea Road close to us.  The owner is such a keen MTB rider that he has developed his own course!

Thursday tramp to North Ohau hut

28 February  -  We drove in behind Levin and into Gladstone Road and Poads Road.  We started walking by crossing farmland and bush to reach the Ohau river.  From here it was all river travel - usually the water was below our knees, but there was an occasional pool.  We reached the hut for lunch and returned out the same way, enjoying a few dips in the pools to cool off.  It was an 8 hour day, we covered 19km.  There were 15 of us in the group.  This was a great place to be on yet another hot summer's day!

Morning tea stop upon reaching the Ohau river  (photo: Richard Ellis)

The north branch (left) and south branch (right) of the Ohau river meet here - an important navigational point for trampers

One of the deepest pools (Photo: Chris Mercer)

Lunch at North Ohau hut

Mountain biking at Feilding

26 February - Owen and I took part in one of the summer series evening MTB races put on by our local MTB club.  This one was at Ranfurly Road, Feilding.  It was partly in pine trees and mostly in a large open paddock.  These rides are very popular, with over 100 riders of all ages taking part.  I managed one nervous lap which took me 25 minutes.  Owen completed 3 laps and was still

smiling at the finish.

Finishing - getting a bit dark!

Verena, Dave and family pass through Palmerston North

26 February - Verena, Dave, Sarah, Mariam and Xavier passed through Palmerston North.  We met them at the Esplanade paddling pool, but Xavier soon decided that he was really a bit too big for this pool.  We moved on to the Esplanade playground where he had a great time.  He specially liked the mouse wheels and the flying fox.  Here are a couple of photos taken at the airport - Xavier would rather have his lunch than have this photo taken.  Sarah says they have quite a lot of family photos taken like the second one minus Xavier!