City Living - Christchurch 2014

With 2014 comes a new year and another new start, this time with my work location about to change yet again.  A site placement with Fonterra in Hamilton for 6 months means I will spend limited time at the weekend in Christchurch.  Knowing this, I was keen to capture a snapshot of Christchurch as it is at the moment for comparison when I return later in the year.

The view from our new flat in Mt Pleasant, the sun and moon simultaneously setting in the west

Coppermine 2014

The Coppermine mountain bike race is stunning event traversing the mineral belt and Dun Mountain rail trail all the way to the Coppermine Saddle.

Summer 2014

The time spent travelling throughout the North and South Islands for the remainder of the summer break was great.  Immediately following my departure from Anchor Island, I travelled to Invercargill to wish Amy a happy birthday (where we saw tuatara) and farewell her as she left for Codfish Island (Kakapo Recovery as well).

Outward Bound - Instructor Selection Course

In early February, I completed the Instructor Selection Course through Outward Bound NZ in Anakiwa, the small coastal settlement a stone's throw away from Picton.

Summer Kayaking on the Kaituna

Summer Road Trip on the Tuna

After five days in Sydney, the summer sun was luring me north, so in anticipation of a couple of weeks on the Kaituna with the lads, I flew Christchurch to Rotorua with Tim and Jo.

Over the course of our time in the North Island we didn't explore too much as we were spoiled with the quality whitewater that was the Kaituna.  We did venture as far afield as the Wairoa and to Huka Falls on the Waikato, however the majority of our time was spent basking in the warmth of the Kaituna.

Sydney, Australia

Mid-January is a great time to visit Australia; warm summery weather, fewer tourists following the Christmas/NY break and a good time to escape the average NZ summer!

Amy and I had planned a 5 day visit to Sydney to catch up with dad's brother Max and his wife Carol.  Amy had just finished her stint of two weeks volunteering on Codfish Island for DoC's Kakapo Recovery Programme (which was a roaring success) and had arrived in Christchurch only hours before our flight was scheduled to depart.  A few anxious nights ago, we were certain she would miss the connecting flight as bad weather hampered efforts to get off Codfish Island.

At 4am on January 17, we departed Christchurch airport Sydney bound.  Max and Carol met us at Sydney airport and the following is a catalogue of images from our stay in Aussie.

Walking from Bondi beach around the bays

Hawkes Bay

During the summer break I spent a couple of days at home catching up with family.   Fortunately my trip coincided with a visit from Joseph and Penny, Dad's Australian brother and sister in law.

L to R: Catherine, Andrew, Penny, Joseph, Bryan and Claire Yates.