6th March 2026 at 20:04 - Damian
We think it may have been caused by this steel rule which was found on the road amidst the debris of the delaminated tyre.
6th March 2026 at 17:08 - Damian
We had a rapid, unplanned tyre delamination at 100km/h near Nelson. What John calls "type 2 fun... fun after the fact".
After picking up the debris on the highway and a bit of a struggle with seized wheel nuts we managed to replace it with the spare.
5th March 2026 at 19:53 - Damian
Day 4 and the end of the Abel Tasman. Done! What a beautiful walk. We had excellent weather every day and the whole track is stunning.
Finished with a couple of pints at The Park Cafe and a huge burger and ice cream cookie at The Fat Tui.
5th March 2026 at 19:46 - Damian
Day 3 of the Abel Tasman. Bark Bay to Anchorage. There's a long low tide crossing that saves around 3km walk but it wasn't until later in the day so we went the long way around. Stopped for a dip in Cleopatra's Pool.
5th March 2026 at 19:27 - Damian
Day 2 of the Abel Tasman. From Awaroa to Bark Bay. Stopped at the lodge in Awaroa for posh coffee first thing in the morning, nicked some sugar sachets and carried on to the lovely Bark Bay.
2nd March 2026 at 18:54 - Damian
Day 1 of the Abel Tasman starting at Totaranui and staying at Awaroa Bay hut.
2nd March 2026 at 08:51 - Damian
I've been waiting a year to try Scotty's Baguettes in Marahau. Did not disappoint with the big breakfast. Handmade baguettes, too.
2nd March 2026 at 08:30 - Damian
After Mt Cook (almost a week ago!) we drove to Rangiora to stay with Matt and Lyndal where we had a good old catch up with extended family and did a load of well-overdue washing.
From there we drove to Pelorus Bridge stopping for a puncture repair in Amberley and a dolphin experience for Ally and John in Kaikoura. Spotted a HUGE pod of dolphins to the south of Kaikoura -- literally hundreds.
Two nights in Pelorus. Mussels in Havelock.
Early start on Saturday morning to get to parkrun in Nelson. After shopping for the Abel Tasman, a chilly dip at the Riuwaka Resurgence and a night at a POP in Riwaka.
Last night after picking Lynda up from the airport we had dinner with Viv and Brent in Marahau. Lynda, Ally and John stayed in a cabin at the campground.
24th February 2026 at 21:28 - Damian
John and I hiked up to Mt Oliver via Mueller Hut this morning. Six hours return including breaks. 1186m climb.
Perfect day for it with some incredible views. Also some bonus avalanches over on the flanks of Mt Sefton.
23rd February 2026 at 19:36 - Damian
Clouds coming over the Southern Alps from the west. White Horse Hill DOC campsite.
23rd February 2026 at 09:25 - Damian
We've been playing a LOT of 500. Haven't played for over a decade but it's an awesome game. Especially when you get all the bowers and the joker!
23rd February 2026 at 09:23 - Damian
We based ourselves at the Cascade Creek DOC campsite for two nights to allow a day to explore Milford Sound where we went on a boat tour. The weather held out until the second night where the wind and rain forced us to have to take down the bigger tent and set up the smaller, more robust MSR Elixir tent.
After the boat trip we walked up Key Summit which incorporates a bit of the Routeburn.
23rd February 2026 at 09:13 - Damian
Crossing over Haast Pass. A very brief, very cold dip in the Blue Pools.
17th February 2026 at 08:05 - Damian
Yesterday we drove from St Arnaud down to Okarito stopping at Punakaiki and Greymouth. We've got a chill out day here before heading over Haast Pass tomorrow to Albert Town.
17th February 2026 at 07:59 - Damian
On the second day at St Arnaud we walked around the lake counterclockwise from West Bay. Early start of 0700 as it's a 23km walk to the pub at Alpine Lodge. Windy on the lake but nicely cooling as we walked the circumference.
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