Tara and I returned yesterday from a weekend trip to Stewart Island. The day before we left was a rare day in which both flights and ferry passage to the island were halted due to over 110 kpm winds which also caused Invercargill's motorcycle race, The Munro Challenge, to be cancelled.
We were glad we flew, although the flight over had some stomach jolting dips. Later we learned the ferry ride was delayed and left many passengers one plate shy of a buffet. New Zealand has a number of endemic species. Islands offer some protection against predators. Some of the islands, like Ulva Island , have been systematically rid of pest like rats. The result is an environment full of indigenous and imported flora and birds of various colors, sizes and songs.
Stewart Island Lodge is a beautiful place to meet other travelers for "tea and nibbles", rest between trips and tramps, and eat a marvelous breakfast at the start of a new day. Do not plan to sleep in as the Tuis start their three note melody an hour before dawn, and this time of year dawn is before six a.m.
I was able to see well enough to walk down the coast without a flashlight until ten p.m., but needed it continuously after "half ten" (a.k.a. ten-thirty). I did not, however, spot a Kiwi or see the penguins come home to nest- perhaps next time. Meanwhile, I am getting used to my Canon 550-D DSLR and have been able to take some distant and macro photos as well as video. I recently added a 32 gigabyte SDHD card which allows me to capture 4000 high-resolution photos or hours of video (at least at the lower levels of resolution. I just added a directional microphone and look forward to upcoming trips and and an eventual return to Stewart Island.
Only about 400 people inhabit Stewart Island. Around 1985, New Zealand stopped funding public ferry service. Thirty children attend the local school, but must leave the island for secondary education. There are two churches- a shared Presbyterian church and an Anglican church. Tara and I attended the Anglican service had the pleasure of meeting some members of the community. Attendance was lighter than usual as Sir Elton John was in Dunedin for the weekend, drawing many to visit the south island.
The flight home was much smoother. This week we will repack and prepare for our next weekend trip- to Milford Sound
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Getting to know you
Six days ago we were preparing for a wine and cheese drop-in for several of my coworkers and their guests and families. We stopped by Martin Street Takeaways for supper. This time I tried their squid rings (spicy, breaded and not as chewy as you might expect) and Tara had a mussel patty which was quite good. The desert, a "chocolate explosion", was less of a hit. It was a deep fried pocket of chocolate sauce and cherries. After eating most of one, I looked like a vampire who had just bitten into a vein of chocolate- running out the corner of my mouth.
Ten other adults and two children came by last Thursday for wine and cheese. One of our neighbors brought some cooked shrimp as well. Many are from the USA but one couple is from Sweden and another from Whales/France. Two couples are here for first time as we are; others had been before. There had not been many other social occasions to meet people working here, and the night was very pleasant.
This past weekend we stayed at home to rest. We did not see the local Santa parade, but half of Invercargill turned out for his. Tara picked up the car we have bought for the year- a 2009 Honda Civic and we located a flat nearby for the rest of the year. I got a haircut downtown. You can actually get a shave if you wish. Now Tara is arranging phone, internet and satellite television for the flat. We will move this week through the 31st. She is also looking into library cards.
We went to dinner with one of the new doctors and his wife two days ago and another doctor/neighbor has invited us for supper tomorrow. We are using the YMCA with some regularity and have started riding bicycles in the neighbourhood. There is are two nice bike trails at the end of the block.
Ten other adults and two children came by last Thursday for wine and cheese. One of our neighbors brought some cooked shrimp as well. Many are from the USA but one couple is from Sweden and another from Whales/France. Two couples are here for first time as we are; others had been before. There had not been many other social occasions to meet people working here, and the night was very pleasant.
This past weekend we stayed at home to rest. We did not see the local Santa parade, but half of Invercargill turned out for his. Tara picked up the car we have bought for the year- a 2009 Honda Civic and we located a flat nearby for the rest of the year. I got a haircut downtown. You can actually get a shave if you wish. Now Tara is arranging phone, internet and satellite television for the flat. We will move this week through the 31st. She is also looking into library cards.
We went to dinner with one of the new doctors and his wife two days ago and another doctor/neighbor has invited us for supper tomorrow. We are using the YMCA with some regularity and have started riding bicycles in the neighbourhood. There is are two nice bike trails at the end of the block.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Food, glorious food!
The weekend just past was very pleasant and included several opportunities for food and drink. Friday, Tara and I went to Invercargill's Speights Ale House. They have several varieties of brew on tap at their location at
38 Dee St Inivercargill. I tried Summit (light, all natural ingredients), Traverse (low carb) and Distinction (malt ale). Tara had ribs and I had a vegetarian stack. Portions were generous and the food was tasty. There was a pleasant ambiance- loved the door to the cooler and wood beams. Service was very courteous and fairly prompt.
For more info: http://www.speights.co.nz
Weather predictions were on the rainy side, so we hedged our bets and drove to Queenstown Saturday, only 2 1/2 hours to the north. Queenstown is beautiful, with a lake surrounded by mountains. It has numerous stores and restaurants and is a playground for adrenaline junkies with hang gliding, jet boats, parasailing and the home of bungy jumping nearby. Our second order of business, after checking our gear at a hotel, was to go to one of the pizzarias recommended upon check-in. Winnies had wood-fired ovens and delicious thin crust pizza reminiscent of pizza in Chicago. A glass of Montieth's original went quite well.
We found a British candy store and got several treats. The grandchildren would love the place! It was only the second time I've had jelly babies of Dr.Who (fourth doctor, Tom Baker) fame. www.remarkablesweetshop.co.nz
For supper we went to the Flame restaurant. Their smaller sirloin was tender and tasty (medium rare). Tara had chicken with servings enough for then and for us to share the next day. Fortunately we had a kitchenette in our room. New Zealand servings of chips (aka french fries) are typically enough for two and always well prepared. A reprise of Speights Summit went well with supper.
Sunday started with yummy leftovers (really). After church we decided to fast until after a jet boat ride. One hour skipping along the lake and river at up to 60 kph did not work up an appetite, but at least it did not kill it. The ride was great fun. The skies were blue, the sun was warm and the air was pleasantly cool and crisp.
www.kjet.co.nz
Three more stops and then we would end our weekend adventure. We went to a travel office and booked two of our next weekend trips (for Stewart Island and Milford Sound). Then off for a second pizza, this time at The Cow. We sat by a warm wood fireplace which was welcome in the cool indoors. The pizza was wonderful. I ate the eleven inch personal pizza with no leftovers accompanied by Monteith's Celtic Red. Tara had spaghetti, which she enjoyed. Finally back to a mall where I saw an establishment which keeps eighty varieties of wine chilled for tasting 1,2, or 4 ounces at a time. You get a glass and a card to dispense wines which are priced by the serving size and cost of the bottle. I selected a Chardonnay, a Riesling and a Pinot Noir for a wine and cheese drop-in later this week.
We were tired and happy on our return. One of our physician neighbours invited us over for supper- a tasty home-prepared Thai meal.
38 Dee St Inivercargill. I tried Summit (light, all natural ingredients), Traverse (low carb) and Distinction (malt ale). Tara had ribs and I had a vegetarian stack. Portions were generous and the food was tasty. There was a pleasant ambiance- loved the door to the cooler and wood beams. Service was very courteous and fairly prompt.
For more info: http://www.speights.co.nz
Weather predictions were on the rainy side, so we hedged our bets and drove to Queenstown Saturday, only 2 1/2 hours to the north. Queenstown is beautiful, with a lake surrounded by mountains. It has numerous stores and restaurants and is a playground for adrenaline junkies with hang gliding, jet boats, parasailing and the home of bungy jumping nearby. Our second order of business, after checking our gear at a hotel, was to go to one of the pizzarias recommended upon check-in. Winnies had wood-fired ovens and delicious thin crust pizza reminiscent of pizza in Chicago. A glass of Montieth's original went quite well.
We found a British candy store and got several treats. The grandchildren would love the place! It was only the second time I've had jelly babies of Dr.Who (fourth doctor, Tom Baker) fame. www.remarkablesweetshop.co.nz
For supper we went to the Flame restaurant. Their smaller sirloin was tender and tasty (medium rare). Tara had chicken with servings enough for then and for us to share the next day. Fortunately we had a kitchenette in our room. New Zealand servings of chips (aka french fries) are typically enough for two and always well prepared. A reprise of Speights Summit went well with supper.
Sunday started with yummy leftovers (really). After church we decided to fast until after a jet boat ride. One hour skipping along the lake and river at up to 60 kph did not work up an appetite, but at least it did not kill it. The ride was great fun. The skies were blue, the sun was warm and the air was pleasantly cool and crisp.
www.kjet.co.nz
Three more stops and then we would end our weekend adventure. We went to a travel office and booked two of our next weekend trips (for Stewart Island and Milford Sound). Then off for a second pizza, this time at The Cow. We sat by a warm wood fireplace which was welcome in the cool indoors. The pizza was wonderful. I ate the eleven inch personal pizza with no leftovers accompanied by Monteith's Celtic Red. Tara had spaghetti, which she enjoyed. Finally back to a mall where I saw an establishment which keeps eighty varieties of wine chilled for tasting 1,2, or 4 ounces at a time. You get a glass and a card to dispense wines which are priced by the serving size and cost of the bottle. I selected a Chardonnay, a Riesling and a Pinot Noir for a wine and cheese drop-in later this week.
We were tired and happy on our return. One of our physician neighbours invited us over for supper- a tasty home-prepared Thai meal.
Monday, November 7, 2011
It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood!
Last week was a typical week for the Tour of Southland- cold, wet and windy. I cannot imagine trying to cycle in the weather we had this weekend. It was also my first weekend on call for the hospital. I was glad the weather was off on a weekend I had to work anyway. More on work later.
Today, in contrast, had some sun and it was actually warm. Ten minutes from our flat there are walking/bike riding trails. One goes through some dense woods and the other is at least an hour loop around a lake. We went part way around the lake, along with walkers, bicyclists, joggers and dogs being walked. The lake had several ducks and beautiful black swans. I took a few pictures, but I will return with the long lens to get closer photographs of the swans.
It is a nice neighborhood. Many houses have flowers, some gardens, and there is even a large field where sheep are raised. We already know the doctors living on either side of us. It feels as if we are settling in a neighborhood, although I know they will move on in a few months, back to their homes.
Tara has found us a car- a pre-owned Honda Civic We will wire money so we can buy it this week. It is a lot of fun driving a stick, especially in a right-hand drive car. Tomorrow we will join the YMCA and take advantage of our civilized schedule. Later in the week, Tara will check out a flat near downtown. I will no longer be able to walk across the street to the hospital, but we will be able to walk downtown including the "Y" , church, parks and shopping.
Today, in contrast, had some sun and it was actually warm. Ten minutes from our flat there are walking/bike riding trails. One goes through some dense woods and the other is at least an hour loop around a lake. We went part way around the lake, along with walkers, bicyclists, joggers and dogs being walked. The lake had several ducks and beautiful black swans. I took a few pictures, but I will return with the long lens to get closer photographs of the swans.
It is a nice neighborhood. Many houses have flowers, some gardens, and there is even a large field where sheep are raised. We already know the doctors living on either side of us. It feels as if we are settling in a neighborhood, although I know they will move on in a few months, back to their homes.
Tara has found us a car- a pre-owned Honda Civic We will wire money so we can buy it this week. It is a lot of fun driving a stick, especially in a right-hand drive car. Tomorrow we will join the YMCA and take advantage of our civilized schedule. Later in the week, Tara will check out a flat near downtown. I will no longer be able to walk across the street to the hospital, but we will be able to walk downtown including the "Y" , church, parks and shopping.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Novembrrrr !
Just past the halfway point in spring, we had a few flakes of snow today in Invercargill. There was some drizzle as I walked home (crossed the street) from hospital. My attempt to shield myself from the rain was thwarted by our typical brisk breezes which promptly inverted my umbrella. Ten centimeters of snow fell in Queenstown. Our high was 9 C (48 F) today. I picked a good weekend to work. At least I can stay indoors.
To be fair, the temperature is projected to rise to 14 C tomorrow and 17 C Sunday. It is also supposed to rain daily for a week.
No worries.
To be fair, the temperature is projected to rise to 14 C tomorrow and 17 C Sunday. It is also supposed to rain daily for a week.
No worries.
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