28th October 2024 at 09:42 - Damian

We've been off-grid since we've been away and have even had the alternator-to-battery charging off. Solar only. In the last 30 days we've only gone as low as 69% and that was after charging two e-bikes on a rainy day.

On average, we use around 10% of our capacity per day which means we'd be able to go without any sun for over a week without having to charge via the alternator.

The new 200Ah LiFePO4 + 400W PV setup is perfect.

27th October 2024 at 21:42 - Damian

The last three days have been a real mixed bag, weather-wise. After rainy Arrowtown the weather was beautiful and so we walked 8km around Lake Hayes (we saw crested grebes!), stayed with friends (Mauro and Yael) in Jacks Point and went out to Sundays in Frankton for excellent pizza. Yesterday it snowed and we made our way to Alexandra. Today the sun came out and we went to a small winegrowers festival in Clyde and caught up with friends (Robyn and Paul) who have their own small winery.

24th October 2024 at 17:10 - Damian

Rainy day today so we've swung by Frankton and gone to a proper holiday park in Arrowtown to do household chores.

Bought new tramping boots due to an eyelet malfunction in my comfortable 7 year old boots which means some emergency breaking-in before our Hump Ridge Track walk in just under a week.

Two loads of washing (plus one more to go) and a long hot shower (for me, Sally didn't realise you have to wait a bit for the water 😞).

$50 per night at the campground. Nice to have luxuries.

23rd October 2024 at 12:40 - Damian

This morning we cycled part of the Lake Dunstan trail. 18km to the point opposite Cromwell historic centre and back again. Stopped at the conveniently-located Carrick Wines for pizza and wine (pinot noir for me, rosé for Sal).
Excellent quality trail surface and easy cycling.

23rd October 2024 at 12:29 - Damian

Saint Bathans geography

22nd October 2024 at 15:14 - Damian

Saint Bathans

20th October 2024 at 16:31 - Sally

Thanks to Uncle Martin and Irene for the Riverstone Kitchen recommendation. We really enjoyed it. Cheese souffle was my favourite but everything we had was outstanding.

20th October 2024 at 06:55 - Damian

We've had a much-needed couple of days off and last night treated ourselves to a fancy dinner at Riverstone Kitchen just north of Oamaru. We're also booked in for a rare (for us) breakfast this morning.

There's a fancy castle here that we're not particularly interested in having seen too many of Europe's castles. If it's not built to keep invaders out it's a folly.

18th October 2024 at 13:21 - Damian

17th October 2024 at 15:47 - Damian

Tonight we're parked up at River-T winery near Kurow. Lunch was a tasting and platter. They close at 1700 so we've ordered a pizza just before they close for the day. It's a good afternoon for lazing around and reading books.

17th October 2024 at 15:41 - Damian

We did the Alps2Ocean back in 2016 and since then they've added more off-road sections. Today we cycled the new 15km section (and back) between Sailor's Cutting and Benmore (between Omarama and Otematata) that avoids the schlep over the busy pass. It's a bit bumpy for our hybrid bikes but much preferable to the previous option.

16th October 2024 at 14:13 - Damian

16th October 2024 at 14:06 - Damian

I guess because I was born in Twizel I can claim this as my mountain.

Ko Aoraki te maunga.

16th October 2024 at 08:52 - Damian

It's a beautiful morning in Tekapo. Blue skies and crisp, white mountains. We're off up Lake Pukaki to walk the Hooker Valley Track which is 10km return. We'll stay the night in the DOC campground at the top.

15th October 2024 at 11:14 - Damian

Pork belly and apple sauce pie. Not pictured is the chunk of cracking on top that has already gone down the hatch. Farlie Bakehouse.

Edit: the pie was up there with the best I've eaten but the cronut to follow was perhaps the worst. Damp stodgy pastry with a thin veneer of custard. Compare that with Sally's incredible custard square.

15th October 2024 at 09:03 - Damian

Yesterday's hike to Little Mt Peel was only 14km but took us over 10 hours. The South Ridge track was steep and outside Sally's comfort zone and exhaustion slowed us down on the last 3km home via Allens Track which wasn't well maintained.

That said, incredible views out over the Canterbury plains and the cloud lifted in time for our arrival at the shelter at the top.

15th October 2024 at 08:55 - Damian

We stayed two nights at Clarke Flat DOC campsite in Peel Forest Park. The first day we walked the short loop track to "Big Tree" (a tōtara) and yesterday an exhausting hike to Little Mt Peel (post to follow).

15th October 2024 at 08:46 - Damian

On Saturday night we stayed beside Lake Camp in Ashburton Lakes and awoke to a dusting of snow that never settled. A refreshing change for us but not so nice for the people tenting, I imagine.

12th October 2024 at 17:18 - Damian

A selection of alpine plants. The pointy grass was big but the rest were tiny plants growing low to the ground near the kettle holes left from the glaciers.

12th October 2024 at 17:08 - Damian

Today we drove to Ashburton Lakes with the family. Never been here before and it feels like we're in a Grahame Sydney painting. Hard to take a photo that does the landscape justice.

Sunny but cold wind!

We're going to stay the night up here before heading to Peel Forest tomorrow. Perhaps.