Last week we had a “southerly” for a day, bringing cold rain to Christchurch but fresh snow to the southern alps. We had originally planned to head up higher into the hills and try to use our snowshoes one last time before spring, but the wind was wicked and our planned hike was above the tree line, so we switched last minute to Mt Oxford, just over an hour from Christchurch in the foothills. Most of the walk was through beautiful beech forest hung with lichens and padded with moss.

Good thing Milo was asleep or this bit of the walk–the wind was howling so we covered him in the pack cover.

We actually opted not to go all the way up to the summit. We enjoyed the view briefly as the wind tore at our hair and clothes, then turned downhill for cover. This should have been a nice easy walk, but Baby Number 2 is slowing me down…the energy drain seems not to be fully explained by simple weight gain. I was happy enough to spend the evening sitting on the couch when we got home.  5 more weeks until I get my own body back….but become a milk machine for the next year. 

The path on the way out was strewn with angular rocks. Milo was poking along looking at the ground when he suddenly stopped and exclaimed “Number One!” He found a rock shaped like that numeral, and was pleased to carry it back home in his pocket.  I told him he was a “sharp cookie,” a term which must have puzzled him a bit.  His memory is amazing–we talk about something once and he’s got it.