Well our time down here is coming to an end for this season. A few days ago we packed up the joint and headed off to Gore (sampled the moonshine while there & warmed us on a cold Sunday!!!)….yes heading the wrong way but making the most of our time and trip north. Our destination is Blenheim, so keep some time free from 13th May onwards for a catch up folks in Marlborough. Hope to be around for a couple of weeks. We can’t wait for the hugs from all the grandies.
We have had a great April here. Enjoying the following activities:
Social Life with fellow Campers: Many happy hours had, although the sun is setting earlier and the nights are cooling down, so to compensate we have been starting at 4pm….someone has to do it!!!! A farewell dinner with our Hosts, Robert and Annette and a couple of other camper couples to say goodbye for their 5 month trip to Sweden. Sad to see them go, but what a wonderful experience. They have Roberts Dad, who is 91 years old and their son and daughter-in-law and other family there to see. Also a few goodbyes to other fellow campers who are heading north for the winter.
I have participated in book club again at the Monteiths Bar and also been a regular on the Wednesday morning bike rides to Clyde with the girls – AKA “Bumz on Bikes” Tried to get a T-shirt but missed out on one as they had just done their order. It’s been getting rather cold on these early morning rides & I had frost forming on my gloves while riding. Think I will be a warm weather rider from now on!!
We have ventured out of Alex when possible to see Wanaka & Arrowtown. Walked up & over Mt Iron in Wanaka. Beautiful outlook 360 degrees of Wanaka. Walked to Diamond Lake on the Glendhu side of the lake. Did some beer tasting at the “Beerworks” at Wanaka airport. The photo says lt all… happy man. Spent a day also in Arrowtown. The trees were beautiful & got a good look around the area. Not so many tourists at this time of the year. We know we can’t afford to live there as land costs as much as a house is worth!! Love the area & would like to do some walks & rides next year when it is warmer.
Had a lovely couple of nights in the camp catching up with Rob & Deb from Blenheim & enjoying whitebait fritters in their bus for dinner. Thanks guys for calling in & we were pleased to hear Rob’s cold finally got better so they could ride the rail trail (twice as it turns out, as they rode out and back each day from their bus).
Sitting having our usual coffee as we always seem to be doing & who should come in but Julie Coney (Townsend – netball ) and “Smokin Joe” Joe Stanley (past All Black) and families. We mix in celebrity circles even if they are has-beens!!!!
Wayne’s turn: Work-wise it has been varied, which is exactly what I was hoping for. Occasional bus driving for my mate Ramash in Wanaka via Yello Buses, a whole grape harvest of Pinot Noir (5 days hand pick) courtesy of Grey Ridge vineyard in Alexandra, but more lately servicing of bikes, transfers of bags and bus / shuttle driving for Trail Journeys (Otago Central Rail Trail bike hire etc). All as casual employment. Great fun too. My aim is to get into Trail Journeys again next season but with more focus on the driving. Will see. I got on really well with the GM, and with 100% new ownership mid-year I think there will be a shift in style, the GM and I had some really good chats around marketing, vehicle fleet, staffing and so on, definitely feel I can contribute more next season. AND he says he wants me back. Bugger me but Good on ya Mate… The driving involved an 18 seat bus towing a bike trailer, first up shifting trail bikers’ overnight kit from one lodgings to their next, over the distance of the trail ( 150km), then loading bikes at Middlemarch and bussing a full load back to Clyde (175km by road). Peak season is summer-autumn so it is FULL ON. Sue here. I went with Wayne on 1.5 days of bus & bag transfer and loved it. Give me a clip board & I think I am in charge!!!…..back to Wayne. Yes, she definitely does think she is in charge – W.
As far as exercise is concerned, no need for much as handling bikes all day builds the strength up, walking vineyards covers off the distance aspect and cycling to work & back sorted the cycle legs. Need to get back running more though. Hope to do this when back in Blenheim mid-May for a couple of weeks, along with kayaking with the Pilsner boys again.
We solved the power issues – finally and hopefully forever. Have replaced the panels, upgraded the controller/regulator and changed batteries. No more issues. HOWEVER just today I pick up a brochure that happens to say that at 12.2 volts (what we are showing right now) the batteries are 50% discharged and that is after bugger all use in the evening and after having all day to charge, admittedly whilst travelling. .. Bugger me this is confusing. Watch this space.
We’ll folks, take care & keep warm & we look forward to catching up very soon around a roaring fire with some form of hot toddy…
The Travelling Gypsies