Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Our Holiday

 

A few views from our holiday at Pureora Forest Park.

We had days of 32 Celsius, a few colder mornings with zero degrees, the last 2 days were with showers, and we met so many people from all  over the world. This photo was taken after  I walked along the metal road, looking at the fog and frost on the far hills. Just slightly above “zero” when I took this.

Cold Monday Morning

While we were there Search and Rescue had a 3 day  training exercise, with NZ Police, YSAR volunteers, many other SAR volunteers, from the Waitomo and Waikato regions. About 100 took part, more pics to follow.

NZ Air Force personnel were present, with an Iroquois Helicopter, with the crew taking part in winch training in  a clearing nor far from where our tent was.

 

NZ  Air Force Iroquois Helicopter

We saw some beautiful sunsets, one cold frosty morning and the birds hid in the trees during the very hot days. New Zealand is in drought conditions all over, and there was a total fire ban the last week we were there ,Grass crackled when you walked, no quiet trails for the hunters, deer and  pigs well hidden and far away.

 Morning viewFrost on the hills in the distance

Late afternoon sunshine on the hills to the East,  the bush shining to a golden shade

 

Late sunshine on the hills

A few hunters lost a dog or two, and Jock was missing for several days, He had tracked across several ranges, followed some tracks, or maybe the cyclists. His Dad was overjoyed to drive back and greet him. He was the most gentle Staffy-Kelpie cross, about 1 year old.  He sat quietly while I picked the hook grass from his coat, enjoyed the bucket of cold water, and a lie down while we talked .

Jock from Taumarunui

More photos and stories another day.

Quotation of the day from the local radio station there

“ Take pride in how far you have come,

and have faith in how far you can go”

Greetings from Jean

15 comments:

Shane Pollard said...

What an adventure Jean!
It must have been interesting with SAR training close by.
Cold at night by the sounds of things - did you hear any pigs or deer by your tent at night?
Good to get into the wilderness and feel at one with nature I'll bet.
Shane ♥

Susan Heather said...

Sounds as though you have had a wonderful break. Look forward to hearing more and seeing pics.

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Hello

Welcome home!
Sounds like you had a great time.
Looking forward to reading more
Linda

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Jean ~ I'm so glad you had a lovely time and that you made it back home safely. The area where you camped looks so beautiful and peaceful.

Love the quote for today ~ FlowerLady

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

Beautiful post, Jean!

Carol Mattingly said...

Sounds like you had a fabulous time away!

Nancy J said...

Thank you all for the lovely welcome home words!! So cheery to read. We have 3 Celsius here at home, so it will be a lot colder there. More pics to come,looking at the photo counter, over 600, so lots to edit, delete, and save the best. Greetings from Jean

Lindsjö taxar said...

Great trip....lucky they found their dog....I have GPS on my dogs when hunting as you know

Nancy J said...

Hi Lindsjo, yes all the dogs had a GPS, but the batteries ran flat, the dogs had gone many miles, over 2 lots of huge ridges in the thick bush. One hunter told me there is a type of GPS, where batteries do not run out, but expensive. A cool morning here at 3 Celsius, so guess it owuld have been "zero" where we stayed. Greetings from Jean

Michaele said...

I was wondering where you had been. Off on an adventure I see : ) Really nice shots!

Georgia said...

Glad to have you back, Jean! Have been missing your photos and words of wisdom. Can you tell me what a metal road is please? I don't think I've ever seen one.

Nancy J said...

Michaele, yes I guess an adventure,but home is wonderful, and Georgia, metal road photo today, it has no seal, can be smooth or very rough and bumpy, usually in more remote areas away from towns.And in Forest Park areas almost always metal or sometimes called gravel. Thanks for your words of welcome back!! Greetings from Jean.

fromsophiesview said...

Love the 2 pictures of hills of the east...especially the golden hues accented with the grey sky...magnificent. I'm always looking for contrast like that.
Nothing worse than losing your dog while camping...must have been very stressful. I see he is doing fine though.
The training sessions must have been interesting to watch...sometimes they do that on our beach here...so noisy!

Ron

holiday homes said...
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Tanya said...

Glad that the dog found his way back to his owners.