Author Archives: jeremiahshaw

Eat Local; sea catch

Posted on by
1
Us guys wanted to get in the water with our spear guns today, and took a blind stab at this beach. Molly didn't think they'd even be able to get in the water--the waves are usually fierce and crashing. They got lucky--we had never seen the ocean here this calm before, but I guess the magic condition was an easterly, or northeasterly wind. The beach remains unnamed so this popular walking spot doesn't become too popular with the fishermen.

Us guys wanted to get in the water with our spear guns today, and took a blind stab at this beach. Molly didn’t think they’d even be able to get in the water–the waves are usually fierce and crashing. They got lucky–we had never seen the ocean here this calm before, but I guess the magic condition was an easterly, or northeasterly wind. The beach remains unnamed so this popular walking spot doesn’t become too popular with the fishermen.

not going hungry here, a decent catch of Butterfish, Blue Moki and a limit of Paua.

Not going hungry here.  A decent catch of Butterfish, Blue Moki and a limit of Paua.

I didnt catch this crayfish(like a lobster with no large claws), Rosman who went with me grabbed them. I am still learning how to find them. this guy was a baheamoth, weighing in at 6.5lbs.

I didn’t catch these crayfish(like a lobster with no large claws). Rosman, my fishing mate, grabbed them. I am still learning how to find them. The one on the left is a normal size you’d buy at the store– the guy on the right was a behemoth, weighing in at 6.5lbs.

Pigs, Beers, and Fallow Fowl

Posted on by
4

You’d think after a year and a half living here that I’d have the Kiwi accent figured out.  Apparently not.  I still manage to pull a blank face in conversation relatively often.  See if you would have figured out these scenarios.

Pigs:
Kiwis don’t really use clothes driers.  Not that we’re short on days when you might want one, but I guess the English don’t really use them either, so along with window screens and insulation, they’re considered unnecessary.  Anyway, clothes are either dried outside on the line or hanging inside on racks, and I needed some clothes pins to follow suit.  I stopped into a store looking for them, couldn’t find them, and eventually asked the clerk “Do you have any clothes pins?”  Blank stare from behind the counter.  “You know, those thingies you use to hang clothes on the clothes line,” I continued, pinching my fingers together as a demonstration. “Ah, you mean pigs!” she said, recognition dawning.  Now it was my turn for the blank stare.  “Right, pegs,” I finally translated.  “Clothes pegs.”  Except the kiwis say ‘e’ like we say ‘i,’ so ‘yes’ becomes ‘yis’ and pegs becomes ‘pigs.’  Giggle and imagine it.  Clothes pigs.

What do you call those little thingies we use to hold clothes to the line? Pins? No. Pigs?! Come off it! Oh, PEGS, I get you now.

What do you call those little thingies we use to hold clothes to the line? Pins? No. Pigs?! Come off it! Oh, PEGS, I get you now.

Beer:
I work with a very nice woman named Carolyn, who was excited by the upcoming birth of her first grandson.  “I already got him a beyah!” she told me.  “A Beer?” I was incredulous.  Sounds like a ritual the Budweiser family might follow.  “Yis, a really big beyah!”  I stared at her.  “A really big beer?” I asked again, signaling a drink with my hand.  “No,” she said, “a beyah, a tiddy beyah, a really big tiddy beyah!”  Ah, a teddy bear, of course.

Milo likes "beyah" too. He doesn't like drinking it of course, but he does like helping daddy bottle it. "Beer" and "Bear" are pronounced identically in New Zealand, but context usually makes the meaning clear.

Milo likes “beyah” too. He doesn’t like drinking it of course, but he does like helping daddy bottle it. “Beer” and “Bear” are pronounced identically in New Zealand, but context usually makes the meaning clear.

Fallow fowl:
We had a picnic with our British friends; Ian, Sophie, and their three girls.  We brought our grill (the “barbie” as in “barbeque”) to the park to grill hamburgers.  Sophie plunked down a tan patty on the grill.  “Fallow Fowl” she explained.  “Fallow fowl?” I queried–perhaps a type of free range duck?  Or a breed of pheasant?  “Fallow fowl,” she said, “haven’t you heard of fallow fowl?  It’s made of chickpeas.”  “Falafel??” I hazarded a guess.  “Yes, you haven’t had it?”   We are the first gun owners Sophie has ever met in real life, plus Jeremiah kills and eats animals regularly, so she considers us a bit wild and untamed…..maybe the kind of meat-eating folks who had never even heard of falafel.  Well, we got that misunderstanding cleared up!

Tahr burgers in the back, sausages on the side, and "fallow fowl," also known as "falafel," in the front left.

Tahr burgers in the back, sausages on the side, and “fallow fowl,” also known as “falafel,” in the front left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Age 33….

Posted on by
5

By age 33, Alexander the Great had conquered the known world and Jesus had completed his ministry.  What have you done?

I’m happy to say that I have another year before I have to face this benchmark, but Jeremiah reached it today.  When my own dad turned 33, the fact that he was “just” a father and husband and doctor puttering around town was depressing, sparking a bit of a mid-life crisis if I remember right.  That bit of family history must have made a big impression on me because I recounted that piece of family lore to Jeremiah this weekend, then my dad, completely independent of any prompting from me, sent him the same tale by email.

Happy Birthday Daddy! Jeremiah's choice for his birthday dessert was peanut butter pie, his Mom's recipe. I have to say that I enjoyed it more before I really looked closely at what's in it. Butter, whipped cream, cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar, with a little hydrogenated vegetable oils and chocolate thrown into the mix. Yikes, if I wasn't worried about my mortality before, I should be now!

Happy Birthday Daddy! Jeremiah’s choice for his birthday dessert was peanut butter pie, his Mom’s recipe. I have to say that I enjoyed it more before I really looked closely at what’s in it. Butter, whipped cream, cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar, with a little hydrogenated vegetable oils and chocolate thrown into the mix. Yikes, if I wasn’t worried about my mortality before, I should be now!

Today, Jeremiah's actual birthday, was predicted to be wet and nasty, remnants of a tropical cyclone pummeling Christchurch. So yesterday we ventured out to a beach on the Banks Peninsula for a fun birthday excursion. Driving over the hills the clouds were building up on the northern side and we thought we'd be in for some early cyclone rain, but it turned out to be a fine beach day after all.

Today, Jeremiah’s actual birthday, was predicted to be wet and nasty, remnants of a tropical cyclone pummeling Christchurch. So yesterday we ventured out to a beach on the Banks Peninsula for a fun birthday excursion. Driving over the hills the clouds were building up on the northern side and we thought we’d be in for some early cyclone rain, but it turned out to be a fine beach day after all.

Jeremiah's main reason for choosing a beach birthday was to test his new spear hunting gear. He caught the spear hunting bug during our recent trip to Stewart Island, and it took him about 2 months to gear up completely. Well, I'm sure not COMPLETELY, I've been married to a hunter long enough to know that even the best hunting kit is never complete, there's always some new nifty lighter neater gadget to covet. Turns out the water at this beach was too cloudy for spear fishing, but at least he christened his wetsuit.

Jeremiah’s main reason for choosing a beach birthday was to test his new spear hunting gear. He caught the spear hunting bug during our recent trip to Stewart Island, and it took him about 2 months to gear up completely. Well, I’m sure not COMPLETELY, I’ve been married to a hunter long enough to know that even the best hunting kit is never complete, there’s always some new nifty lighter neater gadget to covet. Turns out the water at this beach was too cloudy for spear fishing, but at least he christened his wetsuit.

This is why I was amenable to a new hunting hobby. Kids + sand = happiness. Spearfishing must by necessity happen at a beach, and while not all beaches have sand this nice, some will.

This is why I was amenable to a new hunting hobby. Kids + sand = happiness. Spearfishing must by necessity happen at a beach, and while not all beaches have sand this nice, some will.

This beach also sported cool lava rocks, smooth and warm on chilly bare feet.

This beach also sported cool lava rocks, smooth and warm on chilly bare feet.

Last year the tame little waves rolling in made Milo nervous, but this year he has gained more confidence and ventured out shin-deep on his own.

Last year the tame little waves rolling in made Milo nervous, but this year he has gained more confidence and ventured out shin-deep on his own.

While Jeremiah was out spearfishing, Milo and I made him a flounder....in the eventuality that he didn't get any fish in the water, we'd at least have one to present to him on land.

While Jeremiah was out spearfishing, Milo and I made him a flounder….in the eventuality that he didn’t get any fish in the water, we’d at least have one to present to him on land.

Our friends Ian and Sophie joined us with their three girls, and all the kids examined the crabs accidentally swept up in the flounder net with interested squeals.

Our friends Ian and Sophie joined us with their three girls, and all the kids examined the crabs accidentally swept up in the flounder net with interested squeals.

These pincers and the speed with which the crabs disappear back down into the sand elicited tales of my youth at Cape Cod, and the search for the perfect water shoe to protect vulnerable toes from pinches. Lucky for these crabs, none were big enough to be worth the trouble to eat. Had Jeremiah been in the picture in those early Cape Cod days, I'm sure he would have managed to capture some keepers.

These pincers and the speed with which the crabs disappear back down into the sand elicited tales of my youth at Cape Cod, and the search for the perfect water shoe to protect vulnerable toes from pinches. Lucky for these crabs, none were big enough to be worth the trouble to eat. Had Jeremiah been in the picture in those early Cape Cod days, I’m sure he would have managed to capture some keepers.

Naomi spent most of the day happily watching the goings-on from my arms, but when she'd had enough we plunked her into the stroller to take a beautiful snooze. Aw......

Naomi spent most of the day happily watching the goings-on from my arms, but when she’d had enough we plunked her into the stroller to take a beautiful snooze. Aw……

Southern Alps Alpine Hunting

Posted on by
2
The New Zealand Alpine region is a very luring lace that provides vast magnificent views of untouched wilderness.

The New Zealand Alpine region is alluring–it boasts vast magnificent views of untouched wilderness.

Mark and I went out on an overnight mission to find some Tahr high up in the Southern Alps. The plan was to climb up high on top of the ridges and use our binoculars to look down into all of the vast basins below in hopes there were some Tahr hanging out below.

My buddy Mark and I went out on an overnight mission to find some Tahr high up in the Southern Alps.  Mark was just wanting to get out for the hike and hopes of running into a big bull trophy.  I, on the other hand, was on a meat gathering expedition, though I love getting out into the mountains purely for some exercise too.  The plan was to climb up high on top of the ridges and use our binoculars to look down into all of the vast basins below in hopes there were some Tahr hanging out down there.

Winter is not far away. perhaps the first snowfall of the season at this lower elevation of 1700m.

Winter is not far away.  This was perhaps the first snowfall of the season at this lower elevation of 1700m. The far ridge in the background was our aim.

The views are spectacular from heights like this! At these elevations (I am standing at 2000m) , it wasnt terribly long ago glaciers were here, ence the lack of topsoil and vegetation. The Alpine zone is a very unique environment, that does not hold a ton of life, just the various patches of tussock grass and many types of moss. on days like this when there was zero wind and temperatures were near freezing, the air was very still you could here falcons soaring overhead looking for rabbits to prey on.

The views are spectacular from heights like this! At these elevations (I am standing at 2000m), it wasn’t terribly long ago glaciers covered the ground, hence the lack of topsoil and vegetation. The Alpine zone is a unique environment that does not hold a ton of life, just the various patches of tussock grass and many types of moss nibbled by rabbits, tahr and deer.  On days like this with zero wind and temperatures were near freezing, the air is so still you could here the NZ falcons soaring overhead looking for rabbits.

ccccc

We were sitting on top of the ridge enjoying the views, eating some lunch and thinking about taking a nap in the sun when I spotted some animals WAY down at the bottom of the mountain where we were perched, the opposite direction from where we came… I was watching that spot for about 30 min, and didn’t see them until one of them stood up and walked around eating some grass.  Mark and I contemplated going down there.  It was down a huge scree slope, about 500m vertically down and nearly 3/4 mile away, which meant we would need to come back up with heavy  packs full of meat if were able to stalk into range and get a couple tahr…  “Why not?  We are young and fit and have 8hrs of daylight left.” (Well, “young” is relative I guess, I am starting to feel old after carrying a heavy meat laden pack up and over mountains and I get sore hips)

So here we are after scrambling down the scree slope and sneaking in on the mob of Tahr.

So here we are after scrambling down the scree slope and sneaking in on the mob of tahr. In the end there were no bulls to be seen in the group, just nannies.  Now the real hard work begins! We deboned the meat and filled our meat bags with every bit of meat from the animals.  Mmmm Tahr burgers, Tahr Curry, Tahr stew!

Marks not so thrilled about the climb back up the scree slope, Definitely the hardest I have ever worked for some meat!

Marks not so thrilled about the climb back up the scree slope, Definitely the hardest I have ever worked for some meat!

climbing up loose scree is "soul destroying" as Mark would say. its 3 steps up and 2 steps back, worse than trying to climb loose sand. we opted for the zig zag approach, hugging the cliffs where there was some stable rock to climb up on.

Climbing up loose scree is “soul destroying” as Mark would say. It’s 3 small steps up and 2 large steps back, worse than trying to climb loose sand. We opted for the zig zag approach, hugging the cliffs where there was some stable rock to climb up on.

phew, finally made it back up to the top, its all down hill from here. The mountain Tarn was almost a turquoise color, very inviting for a swim, but extremely cold! our vehicle is somewhere down towards the bottom of the valley, still a long walk back down.

Phew, finally made it back up to the top, and it’s all down hill from here. The mountain tarn was almost a turquoise color, very inviting for a swim, but extremely cold!  Our vehicle is somewhere down towards the bottom of the valley, still a long walk back down.

another photo for those interested in animals and guns!

Another photo for those interested in dead animals and guns!

Runners are Nutty

Posted on by
3

Signing up for an orchestrated event is the only thing that seems to motivate me to get out and stay active.  After a detailed analysis of the cost/benefit ratio of various sports, I found that running gives the greatest fitness return while using up the least amount of time (well, kickboxing doesn’t stand mentioning).  Biking just takes to long to get to the same fitness level.

Molly claims that I signed up for this because I have a mini mid life crisis every time another child appears, tending toward the extreme to ward off visions of minivans and afternoons of golf.  I just happened to run a marathon around the time Milo was born.  It must be just coincidence. Molly shutters to think what I am capable of if we have another child.

The Kepler Challenge is a 60km (36mile) mountain run on one of the New Zealand Great Walks (http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/great-walks/).  Being a Great Walk, the track is impeccably maintained with bridge crossings at the streams and rivers, stairs at the steep areas, and boardwalk in the boggy spots. Being a Great Walk it has primo vistas on the mountain tops and lush green forests to run through.

The Kepler Challenge is probably the premier running event in New Zealand.  The run is limited to 450 runners and sells out in 5 minutes at 6am on the first weekend of July.

With the gracious approval from the better half to commit to 5 months of training, i.e. out running in the hills 8-10hrs/week, I signed up for running the event.

The Kepler track is located in Fiordlands of NZ. about an 8hr drive from ChCh (10hrs with kids)

The Kepler track is located in Fiordlands of NZ, about an 8hr drive from Christchurch (11hrs with kids) so running in an event like this meant a 5 day road trip, stopping at beaches and ice cream joints along the way.

the course goes up and over a mountain range with an initial climb up to the tops of 1100m(3600ft). the event has been going for 26yrs, so the organizers have it all well planned out with aid stations,water stations and portoloos dispersed throughout the course.

The course goes up and over a mountain range with an initial climb up to the tops of 1100m(3600ft).  The event has been going for 26yrs, so the organizers have it all well planned out with aid stations,water stations and portaloos (“porta-potties” to Americans) dispersed throughout the course.  The Falcon locations on the map are apparently a warning to watch your scalp when passing, since the nesting falcons have been known to  attack hikers with their razor sharp talons.  The race has a mandatory list of gear that must be carried with you at all times.  Gear was checked by officials before and during the race, reminiscent of TSA security but with a smile.

me before the race, wondering why I really signed up for this, 36 miles is a bloody long way...

Me before the race at 5am, wondering why I really signed up for this. 36 miles is a bloody long way…  To carry the mandatory gear (2 thermal tops,thermal bottoms, goretex jacket, goretex pants, hat/gloves, emergency foil blanket) along with my food to get me through the event, my pack weighed in around 8lbs.  Not huge but enough to notice while running.

just before getting to the first hut after a big climb up (which did include some power walking, I dont think any normal person can run up the hill) the top two guys are machines, they dont count as normal.

Just before getting to the first hut after a big climb up (which did include some power walking on my part).  I don’t think any normal person can run up the hill.  The top two guys are machines–they don’t count as normal.

running along the tops was windy and chilly so I was glad to have some extra clothing with me to put on.

Running along the tops was windy and chilly so I was glad to have some extra clothing with me to wear.

Milo, Mom and Naomi wanted to walk into Moturau hut and see me as I came through. the Hut has a nice beach on the lake to play at.

Milo, Molly and Naomi wanted to walk into Moturau hut and see me as I came through.  The Hut has a nice beach on the lake to play at.

SuperMom !

Super Mom !  Molly loved the lush greenery.  The woods is wonderfully peaceful…. in the lulls between two-year-old chatter.

Milo Playing in the sand awaiting my arrival

Milo, playing in the sand awaiting my arrival.  Molly told him not to wade in the water, not having brought spare clothes along.  When he emerged wet up to his calves he protested “me just getting something.”  Right, the beginning of the excuses….

wow I am tired here, I had a bit of trouble just before here, "bonked" and was swerving all over the track and couldn't run straight.. I was continually eating food along the way but apparently it wasn't enough. I ate all of the food I had in my pack plus some candy and granola bars at the aid station I I came back around and was good as gold to go.

Wow I am tired here.  I had a bit of trouble just before here, “bonked” and was swerving all over the track, couldn’t run straight.  I was continually eating food along the way but apparently it wasn’t enough. I ate all of the food I had in my pack plus some candy and granola bars at the aid station, after which I came back around and was good  to go.

Here I am leaving Moturau hut after a desperatly needed 10min break. the volunteers were wondering if I new that that this was not the finish line and I had another 15km to go.

Here I am leaving Moturau hut after the desperately needed 10min break.  The volunteers were wondering if I was aware that this was not the finish line and I still had another 16km to go.

Finished alive

Finished alive.  Didn’t quite finish at my expected time, but running 7:05 (82nd place….) still was ok for my first long distance run.  Alright, now time to give Molly a blank check.

Freedom on two wheels

Posted on by
2

The Queen Charlotte Track is  42 mile long trail that starts at Ship Cove and ends at Anakiwa. I met 4 other friends there (Ian,Ian,Erik,Mark) for a 3 day Mountain biking trip.

a Track along a ridge within the Marlborough sounds

The Marlborough Sounds is home to an immense maze of bays and mountainous terrain that has been created over years of seismic forces thrusting mountains up .  The Queen Charlotte Track (yellow trail in the image above) runs in and out of coves and up and over mountains and along a ridge with views of the sounds the entire way, 42 miles of magical (kid-free) blissfulness.

 

Water Taxi's keep busy in the sounds, they transport hikers,bikers and many people with houses that is only accessible by water. the water taxi "package" includes a boat ride to the start of the track and baggage transport each night to the lodge that we were biking to, and then a water taxi pickup at the end of the trail.

3 days of mountain biking, and NO, I am not going to carry all of my gear on my back… Water Taxis keep busy in the sounds.  They transport hikers, bikers and many people with houses that are only accessible by water.  The water taxi “package” includes a boat ride to the start of the track and baggage transport each night to the lodge where we were staying, then a water taxi pickup at the end of the trail.

the starts at Ship Cove where Captain James Cook first landed in NZ when he was exploring the south pacific.

The track starts at Ship Cove, Captain James Cook’s first landing spot in NZ during his south pacific explorations.

the track was in good condition with minimal mud and any large stream is bridged.

The track was in good condition, with minimal mud and bridges over all large streams.

Ian riding

Ian Summerfield riding

Erik riding

Erik riding

 

A nice spot for dinner at Punga Cove with a view

A nice spot for with a view for dinner at Punga Cove.  As we sat there nursing our beers in peace and quiet we counted up 14 children between us…..which as Molly pointed out means that other people were currently caring for those 14 children. 

The first night's stay was at Punga cove, a nice sandy beach overlooking the sounds. Homebrew tastes good out of a Nalgene, complements of the water taxi service.

The first night’s stay was at Punga cove, a nice sandy beach overlooking the sounds. Homebrew tastes good out of a Nalgene, complements of the water taxi service.

view of sounds

One of the many views along the trail
Weka's are like a wild chicken, that are bold little bugers that can be found at most camping areas

Weka’s are like a wild chicken, bold little buggers that can be found at most camping areas.

the Maori Pou whenua land post carving

The Maori Pou whenua land post carving is the New Zealand’s version of a totem pole.

 

parts of the trail consisted of hills that where to steep to ride

Parts of the trail consisted of hills that where to steep to ride.

here, I rode up the hill and as soon as the guys saw me trying to take a photo of them pushing their bikes, they jumped on their bikes..

Here I rode up the hill ahead and as soon as the guys saw me trying to take a photo of them, they jumped on their bikes..

maps and signs are frequent along the trail, great job DOC.

Maps and signs are frequent along the trail–Great job DOC.

one of the days I Biked ahead of the group so I could get a long run in that afternoon.

One of the days I biked ahead of the group so I could get a long run in that afternoon.  Why would I do something nutty like that, you might ask?  I’m getting ready for the Kepler Challenge, a 60 kilometer mountain run, which means I’m making a steady habit of pushing my body past its comfort zone.

2nd night at Portage bay, replenishing lost carbs

2nd night at Portage bay, replenishing lost carbs.

a brief swim towards the end of the trail at Davies Bay

We had a brief swim towards the end of the trail at Davies Bay

It was a great trip–a boat to transport beer and gear every day, and an excellent hiking or mt biking trail.

Bada bing Bada boom baby!

Posted on by
13

Naomi Shaw “baby stats”:

  • Born at 11:30pm on October 12, 2013.
  • 6lbs11oz
  • perfect
  • gorgeous

I’ve had thousands of braxton-hicks contractions over the few months, but Saturday morning I commented to Jeremiah that those little contractions felt a bit different and they might be for real.  He looked at me with wide eyes, wondering what that meant for his day’s plans.  Nothing much, I said.  Let’s go the farmers market as planned, and we’ll just see how it goes.

After the farmers market I did some gardening while Jeremiah went to the shooting range.  Contractions continued gently while I took Milo to a theatre (yes, we’re in NZ, so that’s the correct spelling) production of Alice in Wonderland.

It wasn’t until a bit before dinner that I called the midwife, and she suggested that I take a brisk walk and then see if things picked up or settled down before evening.  Milo and I went, dodging the raindrops.  We called our friends after dinner and asked if Milo could do a sleep-over, just in case, so he was cozily ensconced at their house before 8:00.  We left for the birthing center at 9:30, waters broke at 11:20, and she was out by 11:30.  I’ll spare the rest of the details, but it was efficient, as the midwife put it.

It’s amazing how perfect babies come out.  After all those months of feeling muffled thumbs inside, I guess it wouldn’t surprise me if they came out a bit amorphous.  But they come out with perfect little miniature features.  They go from taking all their nourishment through their belly cord to breathing air and sucking milk (ok, well, colostrum) in almost an instant.  When you think about it, it’s amazing how often the whole process goes just right!

Here is Naomi just minutes after she emerged into the air. It's hard to believe that those old lady wrinkly hands belong to those soft perfect baby lips.

Here is Naomi just minutes after she emerged into the air. It’s hard to believe that those old lady wrinkly hands belong to those soft perfect baby lips.

That's right, those are Rhododendrons in the background. October is spring in New Zealand.

That’s right, those are Rhododendrons in the background. October is spring in New Zealand.

Milo came to see Naomi the morning after she was born with a bouquet of flowers and a thumbs up "good job Mommy!" Well primed, Jeremiah! he couldn't wait to hold her and exclaim over her little fingers and ears and toes.

Milo came to see Naomi the morning after she was born with a bouquet of flowers and a thumbs up “good job Mommy!” Well primed, Jeremiah! he couldn’t wait to hold her and exclaim over her little fingers and ears and toes.

Here's a good picture of our early days with Naomi. Jeremiah is trying to direct Milo in gentleness, care of his exuberantly flailing limbs, etc. Milo just wants to TOUCH her. Naomi is blissfully unaware of the drama.

Here’s a good picture of our early days with Naomi. Jeremiah is trying to direct Milo in gentleness, care of his exuberantly flailing limbs, etc. Milo just wants to TOUCH her. Naomi is blissfully unaware of the drama.

A guy’s weekend in mountain goat country

Posted on by
2
I took a weekend trip to a mountain range I have yet go to with a group of guys from work. with an agenda of looking for some Tahr (a Himalayan mountain goat)

Last weekend I took a trip to a mountain range 3-4 hours south of Christchurch, exploring new territory with a group of 4 other guys from work.  Our agenda: shoot bull Tahr (a Himalayan mountain goat) in all their winter long-haired glory, and get some exercise to boot.

one of the few huts that is 4wd accessible if you arrange ahead to get the key to a gate from the station owner that the track crosses over.

We stayed at one of the few huts that is 4wd accessible…. if you arrange ahead to get the key to a gate from the station owner that the track crosses over.  The bikes belong to some guys that didn’t get the owner’s key.

most of the huts in NZ were originally either muster's huts or deer cullers huts. this one was originally a private hut when the area was grazed and aquired by DOC when the private lease ran out and the land returned to the Crown.

Most of the huts in NZ were originally either sheep musters’ huts or deer cullers’ huts.  This one was originally a private hut when the area was grazed, and acquired by DOC when the private lease ran out and the land returned to the Crown.

very tight for 5 guys, almost no headroom on the top bunk

Very tight for 5 guys, “bugger all” headroom on the top bunk.  Actually, one guy slept in the truck and another on the floor rather than bonk a forehead on a beam in the middle of the night.

We spent the entire day walking up in the mountains, glassing and looking for some Tahr.

We spent the entire day walking up in the mountains, glassing and looking for some tahr.

having a look ontop for some Tahr

Two happy guys in their element, having a look on top of the peaks for some tahr.

A few tahr, out on a bluff, feeling very safe

Squint.  There are a few tahr in the center of the photo, out on a bluff, feeling very safe from us two-legged hunters.

Zoomed in.. I did not shoot any, just with the camera. Retrieving them would have meant; ropes, harnessess and rock/ice climbing, something for another weekend.

Zoomed in… I did not shoot any (except with the camera) though they were within range. Retrieving them would have entailed ropes, harnesses and rock/ice climbing prowess, something for another weekend.  Tahr truly are an amazing animal.  They make it look so easy jumping around on those cliffs.

A mountain tarn

A mountain tarn with my Aussie mate Mark walking around on it.

a fine dinner of meat and a side of meat

A fine dinner of meat and a side of meat, washed down with a little beer.  Hang the veggies. 

mmmmm, roasting socks. After a day of 5 guys walking around in the mountains, socks can be stinky over the woodstove.

Mmmmm, roasting socks.  After a day of 5 guys walking around in the mountains, socks can be pretty ripe drying over the wood stove.

I didn't come back with a prize trophy (much to Molly's relief), but it almost didn't matter. Those mountains are wonderful. Not a cloud in the sky, meteors streaming at night, wild, untamed country, unhampered by societal rules. I could live up there with the tahr.

I didn’t come back with a prize trophy (much to Molly’s relief), but it almost didn’t matter. Those mountains are wonderful. Not a cloud in the sky, meteors streaming at night, wild, untamed country, unhampered by societal rules. I could live up there with the tahr.

 

Retreat to Mt Doom

Posted on by
3

Working in a large company comes with perks such as a weekend “team building” trip to the North Island.  Socializing with work colleagues is huge in NZ, so I went along for the trip.  We had a weekend of hiking, mountain biking, team building activities, and then I stayed an extra day to go skiing at Mt Ruapehu (Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings).

a great view of the south island mountains from the air

A great view of the south island mountains from the air. Imagine being one of the first pioneers trying to cross this terrain without a map or an airplane….you wouldn’t see that the mountains are almost endless until you struggled to the top of one peak after another, only to see still more in the distance.

Feilding, a small town we stopped at on the drive. The Feilding Saleyards have daily auctions for sheep, cattle and deer.

Feilding, a small town where we stopped on the drive, boasts the Feilding Saleyards.  Daily auctions for sheep, cattle and deer made this one of the biggest livestock exchanges in the southern hemisphere.

while we were waiting for people to arrive from 4 different spots around NZ, a few of us took a walk to a waterfall.

A few of us took a walk to a waterfall while we were waiting for people to arrive from four different cities around NZ.

The Old Coach Road is a 15km historic road that linked two railhead prior to a train track being built. it is now a biking/running track that doc maintains.

We sat through about 90 minutes of business talk in the morning, then we were free to build our team by riding trails on mountain bikes.  The Old Coach Road is a 15km historic road that linked two railroads prior to a junction track being built.  It is now a biking/running track that DOC (Department of Conservation) maintains.

The track is very overgrown now, a coach would not be able to pass.

The track is overgrown now, but once upon a time a coach was able to pass.

The original train bridge

The original bridge, which is now part of the cycle trail.

The new train bridge

The new train bridge now does the job.

an engineers retreat can not be complete without some type of nerdy competition. we were given a pound of spagetti and a package of sticky tack and had to construct a tower to hold an egg. this one was our teams attempt, it was leaning a bit...

An engineers’ retreat can not be complete without some type of nerdy competition.  We were given a pound of spaghetti and a package of sticky tack (remember that blue tack stuff we had in grade school?  It’s still strangely popular here), and we had to construct a tower to hold an egg.  This one was our team’s attempt, it was leaning a bit…

Mt Ruapehu is one of the mountains featured as Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings. There are several ski fields on the volcano. Thee Volcano is active and frequently erupts.

Mt Ruapehu where we skied on Sunday is one of the mountains featured as Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings. There are several ski fields on the volcano.  The volcano is active and still erupts from time to time….the last major eruption was in the 1990s, but it blew off a bit of steam as recently as 2007.

I stayed for an extra day to take advantage of the ski mountain, the weather was spectacular. skiing above the clods all day.

I stayed for an extra day with 7 other Christchurch colleages to take advantage of the ski mountain.  The weather was spectacular, skiing above the clouds all day, and no volcanic eruptions!

The ski lift ends quite short of the peek of the volcano. I really wanted to peak over the edge and see into the volcano...

The ski lift ends quite short of the peak of the volcano.  I really wanted to peek over the edge and see into the volcano…

I saw a few people walking up, so why not me?

I saw a few people walking up, so why not me?

I put my skis on my back and rocketed up the slope.

I put my skis on my back and “rocketed” up the slope.

ahh, definitely worth the walk up. a geothermal lake in the center and powder to ski in on the way down.

Ahh, definitely worth the walk up.  A geothermal lake in the center and nice powdery snow to ski on the way down.  No volcanic rumbles or grumbles while I was there!

EAT LOCAL

Posted on by
3
Mark and I took a quick trip to the mountains to look for some deer and Chamois. Mark has already shot a trophy Stag this year, we agreed that if we saw a stag it would be mine and a Chamois would be his. This nice Chamois is the only one we within range.

Mark and I took a quick trip to the mountains a couple weekends ago to look for some deer and Chamois. Mark has already shot a trophy Stag this year, we agreed that if we saw a stag it would be mine and a Chamois would be his.

We set up camp down in the bottom of this valley. the trees seen here were some of the only trees within sight.

We set up camp down in the bottom of this valley. the trees seen here were some of the only trees within sight. Snow has just started to fall on the peaks, and it will be building up over the next two months.

we found this solo buck charging across the valley, probably on a quest to find a heard of females as it is the mating season for Chamois.

We found this solo buck charging across the valley, probably on a quest to find a heard of females as it is the mating season for Chamois. This is a large buck, the horns have a respectable “hook”.

Mark and I took a quick trip to the mountains to look for some deer and Chamois. As mark has already shot a trophy Stag this year, we agreed that if we saw a stag it would be mine and a Chamois would be his.

Mark with his first Chamois buck

Mark shot the buck, though it was a team effort as I spotted it and quickly came up with game plan to bag the animal.

Mark shot the buck, but it was a team effort as I spotted it and quickly came up with game plan to bag the animal.

we were several miles away from our car, so we did a proper field care and hung up the Chamois and bagged up all of the meat to carry out.

We were several miles away from our car, so we did a proper field butchering, hung up the Chamois, and bagged up every piece of meat to carry out along with the hide to tan into a nice rug.  A successful weekend–not only did we get out into the mountains, but we had super weather (heavy rain and snow came in the next couple days), and we even got an animal.  Happy men.