Catlins Part 2b

The funniest things I forgot to mention whilst setting up camp was we had three airbeds that needed blown up and when we purchased the beds we also purchased a electric pump. It plugs into the lighter and your beds are up in a jiffy. Well when it came to blowing up the beds, for some reason I think the lighter in our car blew a fuse thus no pump worked oh no what were we to do?? Dave and Ben took turns blowing up the beds it took at least an hour. Thank goodness Dave's a fitness freak his lung capacity is amazing.

We were all pretty tired and so sleep was high on the agenda. However Nicholas and Kate had other ideas. It was rather hot and so sleeping was not on Kate's agenda and when she finally did go to sleep Nicholas decided his sleeping bag was a toilet. So at 3am I was swapping my nice dry bed for a wet one lucky you can turn those airbeds over. Just getting comfy and the plug of the airbed pops out hissssssssssssssssss ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR I'm not going to get any sleep tonight. My wonderful husband kindly blew the bed back up and so I managed to get in a couple of zzzz before Kate arose again.

Day 3 and it was going to be a very hot day. The main attraction to visit today would be McLean Falls and Cathedral Caves. I was feeling rather jaded so I was in no hurry to go walking to soon. Once Dave got back from his run we packed up the car and it was off to Mclean Falls.

McLean Falls

The 22-metre falls are on the Tautuku River in Catlins Forest Park and often described as the most spectacular in the region. The walk to the falls, though uphill, is not too steep and very pleasant. It passes through a variety of forest and shrub types: divaricating shrubland, huge tree fuchsia, stands of olearia and podocarp forest. Spectacular is one word for it but I would also use awesome, unbelieveable, beautiful, and I could go on but I wont. We stayed there for ages it was worth every minute.

We got back to the car and it was lunch time and as the camp site was just down the road we headed back to camp and ate and rested. We had to wait for the tide to be right before we could visit the caves. We decided to take a trip into Papatowai to get some supplies which we weren't looking forward too because being the only shop they can charge what ever they like. However, the shop was really reasonable and we got what we wanted without breaking the bank awesome. Then it was back to the Cathedral Caves. The Cathedral Caves Walk is managed by a group of landowners of Kāi Tahu descent. The caves are very impressive, as the sea has cut deeply into weaker sections of the cliffs and created caverns as much as 30 metres high.

Cathedral Caves

These caves were impressive however I was a little bit disappointed that we were charged so much. I actually wouldn't mind paying if some of the money was going towards upgrading the toilets and the office. On the internet it says $3 per adult and $1 per school child. However it actually cost $5 per adult and $1 per school child. I'm guessing it makes a fortune because the day we were there I could count at least 50 people and we were there when the tide was coming in. Inside the cave was rather airy and Nicholas didn't like it one bit. The walk was very cool.

Back to camp where the weather was quite unbearable and the flies/mozzies were annoying. Stay tuned for more in the next post........

The Catlins Trip

On Tuesday 13th January we headed to the Catlins. The family had never been there before and WOW what a beautiful place. I couldn't believe that we lived so close and had never been there before.

Our first stop off point was Balclutha to get supplies (milk, bread, ice etc). We then took the scenic route towards Kaka Point and stopped at Nugget Point where we walked out to the lighthouse and saw a magnificant view of the sea and rocks not to mention sealions and many shags. This is the location of one of New Zealand's oldest lighthouses, built 1869. The area is a wildlife sanctuary for Yellow-eyed Penguins, fur seals, elephant seals and many sea birds. There is a spectacular 20 minute walk from the car park to the lighthouse. Nearby is a viewing hide to observe Yellow-eyed Penguins - best seen in the later afternoon as they come in from the sea.

Nugget Point

Back in the car to our next destination which was Owaka. The drive was amazing even with the many road works. Once in Owaka (a cute little township) we had to decide whether or not to camp here or continue on to McLean Falls. I rang ahead to the McLean Falls camping ground and it was only a 20min drive from Owaka so we carried on to McLean Falls. On our way to the camping site we saw some fantastic views.

Tautuku Bay

Viewed from the Florence Hill lookout on the Scenic Route, this beach is famous for its symmetry and beauty. The whole valley behind the beach is still clothed in native forest and is the site of the Tautuku Outdoor Education Centre. Tautuku Peninsula, at the west end of the beach, was renowned as an early European whaling base.

We got to our destination McLean Falls Camping Ground. Its still under development but what was there was very impressive. They even had a restuarant called The Whistling Frog Cafe. Just outside the cafe there was a pond full of tadpoles all at different stages. We set up camp which didn't take long although Dave nearly pulled out some shrubs just so he could have the tent in a certain place. With day one shot we just chilled out at the site and enjoyed the peace and tranquility even though there wer lots of mozzies (lucky I had bought repellant). I managed to sleep with Dave this time thanks to trademe where I purchased a portacot for Kate (brilliant piece of equipment to take camping).

Our camp site

Day 2, Dave went for his usual casual morning run and the rest of us got ready to explore the area. Packed picnic, water bottles filled, sunscreen lotion and repellant. The greatest thing about the Catlins were the walks, ie not to long and easy for little people. Another great purchase off trademe was the backpack for Kate. Our first place we looked at was Lake Wilkie a This is a good place to experience old-growth mixed podocarp forest. The 20 minute walk from the main road takes you to a boardwalk at the edge of a small, tranquil lake. Forest birds, rimu and rata trees are features, and beside the walk there are good interpretation signs giving information and aiding identification.

Lake Wilkie

Then we headed into Papatowai and had lunch at Tautuku Beach it was lovely rather hot but still lovely. After lunch it was off to Matai Falls, a 20 minute walk from the main road through regenerating native forest brings you to the Matai Falls, the larger of two forest-surrounded waterfalls here. Again a great walk and awesome scenery.

Matai Falls

Back to the camp site for a well deserved BBQ tea and talked about our adventures. We had a couple of hick ups along the way but we wont dwell on them lets just say it pays to ring and ask for prices of things and not rely on the internet. Stay tuned for day 3 in the next post..............

Paula's Bunch of Fours

After reading my dearest friend Ange's bunch of fours, I've decided to do my own for four great reasons:

1. It's keeping me awake at work
2. It's making me think hard about the four things
3. Whoever reads it will know me a little better
4. Ange did it, so its got to be cool to give it a go

4 Things I'm Passionate About

1. My family
2. My job
3. My calling at church
4. Singing

4 Words or Phrases I Use Often

1. No worries
2. Come on people church starts in15minutes
3. Sure love, yes love, anything love
4. Lets buy it

4 Things I Want To Do Before I Die

1. Go overseas (Salt Lake City preferrably)
2. See my children serve a mission
3. Be an awesome grandma
4. Become a Clinical Charge Nurse

4 Things I Have Learned From The Past

1. The grass isn't greener on the other side
2. Family break ups are not worth it
3. I wish I had open my door to the missionaries when I was 18 instead of hiding under my bed
4. School was actually great fun

4 Favourite Books (that I've actually read)

1. Bent Not Broken
2. I Am David
3. Anne of Green Gables
4. Apache

4 Places I Want To See Or Visit

1. Temple
2. Ski Feilds
3. Hamner Springs
4. Marie

4 Favourite Restuarants

1. Speights Ale House
2. Lonestar
3. Amende alacarte (we are always there)
4. Bell Pepper Blues (we got vouchers to go)

4 Things That Happened Yesterday

1. After working all night I went to church and enjoyed working with the new primary presidency
2. Had a afternoon nap brief it was too hot to sleep
3. Took Ben to the bus stop and cried heaps
4. Tried to convince Nicholas that he should learn to change Kate's pooey nappy ha!!! His reply was gross mum

4 People I Tag

1. Ange (my dearest friend who I copied this from and keeps me entertained)
2. Sherry (who also keeps me awake on nightshift and enjoy her stories)
3. Annemarie ( my Celine Dion and love her to bits who should blog more often)
4. Anna (the crochet queen)

Well that took a lot of hard thinking for 0230am but its done and now you know a little bit more about me. But most of all I'm 40 this year YEAH!!!!!! not

Family Camping

New Years Eve we packed up the car with our camping gear and headed off to Queenstown. This is our first time camping and we were rather excited. I phoned the Queenstown Camping ground they said there were some sites available but they don't take bookings (crazy system) first in first serve. The lady advised me to get to Queenstown asap and she hoped there would be a site for us. So drive frantically we did no stopping on the way it was a blessing that Kate slept most of the trip. But alas we got to Queenstown and no sites were left grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. However, there was a camping ground in Arrowtown with sites still available and so we set off to our next destination. The place was beautiful and quiet although lots of people camping it still felt calm and just right for us first time campers.

We pulled up to the site and Dave gets out the tent and so begins the reading of instruction. For Dave reading instructions means having a go and putting the tent up randomly. For me I like to read the instruction and lay everything out and make sure all bits and pieces are accounted. My biggest mistake was going to the toilet because by the time I got back Dave had everything out and spread all over the ground. "Did you bring the hammer Dave to put the pegs in?" Hum no I'll just push them into the ground. We are in Arrowtown dry and hard ground ?????? Hey huni the tent floor has the pegs attached that's cool aye" Are you sure Dave they are the pegs that go in the ground what does the instructions say? They must be what else could they be for. Ahh don't know maybe we should read the instructions. The first peg goes in the ground via Dave's foot and oops he bends it. BE CAREFUL!!! I yelled and so it began......... Luckily our neighbour was watching and probably laughing inside interupted the disagreement "Hi do you want a hand" Can you tell we are first timers I said. He was really helpful and in approx 20 min the tent was errected YEAH!!!! The pegs attached to the tent floor were not suppose to go in the ground they were for the poles its amazing what you find out when you read instruction.........

Our holiday was awesome and now we know how our tent goes up we wont need those instructions again. We are off again camping today to the Catlins we will go. Don't forget the hammer Dave!!!!!