After Christmas 2013

Andrea, Jeremy, Aria and Nina stayed on with us for three more days after Christmas

Aria - shopping at Kathmandu

 A few photos taken at home

Aria 4 years, Nina 6 months

Some family photos - Christmas day at Vaughan and Pam's house

Christmas 2013

Four granddaughters together on Christmas Eve

Christmas morning

Nina's first Christmas stocking

Lake Waikaremoana

1-6 December - Lake Waikaremoana with PNBHS

We had some keen young fishermen in our group ...

... and successful too

Teachers (centre), a teacher's son (left) and two senior students were part of our group

Rest stop at Korokoro campsite

Korokoro falls 

Early morning back at Waikaremoana campsite

The highlight for me was the chance to hold a kiwi egg and hear about the success the local trustees are having with their kiwi programme.

Isla and Brielle enjoy their camel rides

29 November - an overnight visit to Wellington and breakfast at Maranui cafe.  Good to see that Isla (7) and Brielle (5) still enjoy their camel rides.

Two tramps in two days

Wed 20 November - a hike up Mt Thompson with a large group of Wednesday trampers.  This is in from North Manakau Road on the Kapiti coast.

Some of the group take a break

Good views towards the coast on the way down

 Thursday 21 November - into the Ruahines with the Thursday group.  We drove to Norsewood road in the upper Pohangina River valley.

The local farmer led us across his farmland into the hills

The farmer has a comfortable private hunting hut

There was a lot of bashing through shrubs and leatherwood before we finally reached the open tussock tops for a late lunch

Retracing our steps - crossing a slip

A big group of Thursday trampers today

A fund-raiser walk - Aorangi mountain in the Ruahine Ranges

Saturday 16 November - A group of six of us from the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club took the opportunity to walk over Aorangi - a distinctive flat-topped peak with steep, cliffed sides, in the  Ruahine Range near Taihape.  This land is owned by a Trust and is not normally open to the public.  A local small school, Pukeokahu School, arranged a fund-raiser day for people to do the walk.  We were driven in 4WD vehicles across Mangaohane Station on the Napier-Taihape road.  There would have been great views but unfortunately it was very misty, and cold and windy as well.

Getting out of our vehicles to start the walk

A native orchid is spotted

Onward and upward

Now on the flat top - beautiful Pahautea trees (mountain cedar)

Better views as the weather improves going down the other side

Our team from the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club

Nearly there - looking down to the Rangitikei River and buildings of River Valley Ventures

Crossing the Rangitikei River on a flying fox

The school put on a wonderful venison BBQ dinner afterwards - it was a very special day out, and quite an adventure.  I was not able to get a decent photo of Aorangi, here is a beautiful image taken by Dan Edmunds photography