Campervan Stan

Monday, 29 June 2009

FRIENDS

Danielle & friend, Winterfest Mardi Gras

Best Friend.

Hi, Ho, off to work we go in the snow.

Klipbind reunion.

Best boss Greg (right) and great workmate Colin (left).

A great mate, Father Ivan.

Wonderful new friends Ralene & Lloyd, Oamaru.

John, a real character, in "The Curiosity Shop", Ranfurly

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

Recently we had family stay for a brief but most enjoyable visit. During this time most of the southern winter experiences were enjoyed including playing in the snow but this is not pictured as this was done while we were at work.

One of the many illusions at "Puzzling World"

Wanaka

Lunch at Lake Wanaka

Big slide, happy boy

In on the action

Emily is tops

Mother at play

At the top

Looking across from the Cardrona skifields where the distant mountain tops looked similar to icebergs

The big leap

Icicles

Hot chocolates and whisky

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

STEWART ISLAND (TAKE TWO)

We recently made a second trip to Bluff and then onto Stewart Island as we were determined to get to Ulva Island a sanctuary for native birds and plants. We were unable to do this on our first trip because of the weather but finally got there this time and it was well worth making the second effort.

The above is just out of Kingston on our way back to Queenstown which is a complete contrast to what you will see below but it was absolutley magic.

Heading into Kingston on our trip south

Hay all lined up and ready for feeding out

Tracks in the snow

Southern sheep

Bluff camp ground, council operated and runs on an honesty system through the winter.

A great park with good views.

Lunch stop at Athol

Nostalgia shot, the old Creamoata factory, Gore

"Taliskar", what we motored across from Stewart Island to Ulva Island on

Ulva Island

Stewart Island Robin, so tame, so cute.

Peter our Ulva Island guide. Note all the new plant life on a recently fallen tree, one of the definitions of a rain forest.

Contemplating the start of a rather large complimentary breakfast

Kaka flown in for a free feed with compliments of our hostess Jo

View from our room

Stewart Island Lodge, the long low building top centre.

Thursday, 30 April 2009

For Those That Are Interested (THE RUBBISH COMPACTOR)

A full load, about one third of the rubbish out of the park goes out in the compactor as general landfill waste, the other two thirds is recycle material with food waste going to the park's worm farm.

The bevelled plate at the front of the trailer is the operated by a battery powered hydraulic ram which forces (compacts) the rubbish towards the rear.

Trooper and trailer ready to go.

Rear view

Dumping

A Special Request From Someone Close to Us (FLAX)

We have over a period of weeks had three large high sided tandem trailer loads of flax (that's a bloody lot of flax) brought in to be trimmed and dried in preparation for thatching the roof of one of the BBQ areas. As you will see from below it is all quite labour intensive. Fortunately the first two lots were done by casual staff but with the last load it was all hands on deck.

The raw edge that must be trimmed to square. When harvesting it is easier to cut the flax off on the diagonal.

Trimmed to a square end.

Right hand man Laura (seconded from reception) helping with the stacking on one of the numerous drying racks we have situated around the park and adjoining properties. The flax will stay here and be turned periodically until about the end of the year when it should be ready for thatching.

The thatched flax is quite thick, about 200mm.

Close up of thatched roof.

Internal view, as you can see it is quite dry and waterproof.

The finished product, "B" block BBQ bure. The flax we are presently cutting and drying is for the "C" block BBQ

Thursday, 23 April 2009

ARROWTOWN AUTUMN FESTIVAL

We had an afternoon at the Arrowtown Autumn Festival which is on all this week. This is at the evenings country music concert which Raewyn went to with friends from work.