Trucks, Graders and more

While we were camping, some road works were done. JRK from Te Kuiti came with many different trucks, loaders, graders, transporters and more.
The large transporter can carry up to 40 ton, has  a GPS on it, and another in the cab. The dashboard  itself was amazing, and so sophisticated. The cab came from Canada, and I wondered if it had been used in the Yellowknife area for the “ Ice Road Truckies”.
Dick from Te Kuiti was working further up the road from the camp, doing metal screening. If all was quiet we could hear the machinery working
But as well as this, he asked me if I wanted anything from town, and then he delivered a  “ New Zealand Herald” most mornings on his way up the road. Many, many thanks Dick, this was  something I had not imagined would happen, as last time we stayed the logging trucks were working, and they started at 3.30 a.m. 6 mornings a week.And they were so busy  they didn’t stop at all.
The news,weather, and the crosswords. Dick, it was the best!!!
 
Some of the fleet, parking below our shelter, the loader, and the big transporter which was there overnight.
The green flashing light in the cab and on the trailer unit  tells if it has been moved so much as a few centimetres.
Hydraulic pipes,safety signs,the weight it is carrying, all displayed .






Here Courtesy of the Internet, is a dog GPS Collar, and the handheld GPS. Yes, it does show where each dog is, where they have been and also if they are moving or still.










This photo was taken at 7 a.m., not long before we left for home. The sun made lovely patterns through the trees.
Not far from our tent there was a bank with bunny burrows in it.This was wide and had been excavated so thoughtfully.


I have had a great time with the new camera, some disasters,  but am slowly starting to use more of the different modes.

When I was about 14, I had a holiday job in  Auckland, at Bond and Bond, and after 2 weeks, had saved up enough to buy my first camera, a Box Brownie. Mum and Dad came into Auckland, met me at lunchtime and we went to Kodak in Queen Street.
I still have that, maybe a real antique now.
There are 2 viewfinders, one for portrait, one for landscape, a slide for taking photos close-up, 5 to 10 feet, the other for over 10 feet.
2 small knobs to attach a strap, and it had flash contacts. I took so many photos with this, the most memorable was when Sir Willoughby Norrie officially opened the “ Karaka War Memorial Hall” in 1954



Sir Willoughby Norrie, on the front step, From  what I can remember, I asked him to wait on the step so I could get a better photo.
What audacity from  14 year old!!! He then went on to meet members of the Karaka Farm Improvement Club, which I think was headed by Ralph Du Faur, who is  standing on Sir Willoughby's right side. The other men will be from the TeHihi ,and Karaka area
My Dad’s writing alongside the photos. What memories these bring.


Here is Bond and Bond, which from memory was where the tea and appliance office was.
My job was to collect the  mail, from a  private mail box, open each letter with a silver letter opener, and lay it neatly on Mr Eli Bond’s desk. I think I also made the tea .I was staying with  a friend in Onehunga, we went in by train, and as Onehunga was the last stop, we stayed  on the train as it went onto the turntable, ready for the next morning’s trip to the city.
Sherbert dabs, 3 for one penny!!! Real liquorice strips to suck the powder, each one in a white paper bag. And different flavours.
This was all very new, exciting and wonderful for a country girl.




The night sky  had fast changing colours, and the elusive pink,red,mauve colours were not there for long.

Quotation of the day, from  Khalil Gibran

“ Yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream”

Cheers from Jean

Men and their Quads and Dogs

Piropiro Flats is a great place for dogs,  quads, bikes, and men . ( and perhaps sometimes a lady!!!)
They all, the dogs,quads and bikes get very dirty and the men are so happy with the day's trips, over bridges, through streams, up steep hills, bouncing over logs or uneven roads.
All in the excitement of the holiday!!!

Hugh is always happy when on his quad, and even happier when on a bridge, going through a stream, or up a narrow track.
This is one of the swing bridges on the cycle trail. Very sturdy, well tested, and so safe.
Guess who took 3 steps, YES, THREE STEPS, froze, and walked back to good old Terra Firma.
I then walked round the bypass track, had to get on the quad to go through the stream, then walked up the hill.
And I was told this was a real bridge, not a true swing bridge with a very  narrow foot walk and just wires to hold onto.

Jeff and Gus had been out for a walk in the wet  bush and the rain. Gus was so good, she sat quietly and posed for me so well, and at 7 years has had  some years to know just the way to look.Her eyes were full of trust as she looked at Jeff.
The two young men were  from Ngaruawahia, with Molly, Star and Socks. The dogs all had protective collars on, to save them from being ripped in the throat by a pig, as well as their tracking collars with a short aerial. They can  then be located, the GPS can pinpoint their position accurately, tell if they are still, moving, where they have been and more.


Rita was with John, on their way towards Angel’s Rest. This is the track with the bridges, and when John returned he told of cold nights, no sign of any deer and no deer  trails through the bush.

The day after the gale winds, a Police Wagon came into the camp area.
Well, we both wondered if he was coming to visit us, as we had left our vehicle number plates at home, with details of where we were if there was an emergency with the family. No ,just checking to make sure everyone was OK after the night’s ferocious wind.
Relief, and a good feeling to know our Policemen come and do this service for all of us out there.
Brin and Slobberchops ( think his other name is Jack???) were very polite, and sat in profile for me.














Hugh and Bruce discussed their day’s trip up into the far hills, and celebrated
with a drink each.We hope to see Bruce and Kathy here to stay with us soon.

Quotation of the day, a Nigerian Proverb

“ Hold a true friend with both your hands”

Cheers from Jean

Camping at Piropiro Flats.

                                                                                  We started our holiday early in the morning, and were at Taihape  for our first stop.  “ The Quilted Gumboot” was  still shut. Huge sigh of relief from Hugh!!!
After all, I hadn’t packed the Bernina, but almost everything else for our two weeks in the bush. I thought that a few fat quarters would not be too much to cram in, never mind. We carried on, and by the time we reached Taumarunui, I was ready for a break and a coffee. Petrol top up, more groceries and on the road again.
At last we turned off and soon were on the gravel narrow road. So many trees have been  felled since last year, huge areas of clear ground with blackberry slowly taking over, and then, there we were.we set up the tent between the two vehicles, thinking this was a good spot. More  of this choice to come later !!!

There are 4 shelters, each one  3 sided, with a large fire, a big table with bench seats, and there are 3 long drop toilets ‘ Sunny Dunnies”, or “ Outhouses” each one a walk through wet  grass in the morning.
Our closest one was 99  yards from our tent. Yes, verified by a range finder. These camping and hunting men have everything you need, even to know how far to walk!!!my estimation of  walks to the little house added up to some kilometres over the 2 plus weeks.

The next day we   took the quad and trailer a short way up one of the metal roads and  loaded up firewood. Hugh had  his smaller chainsaw, and we didn’t need to walk far to collect as much as we would need. Hugh did another load, making sure we had ample for any cold mornings and nights. When we left last Friday the couple who were moving into our shelter had some wood left for them, they were so thankful.
We met so many couples from overseas, here are Marion and Thomas, both from Germany,, and both studying to be vets.  They have done 4 years of  the five and a half year course, and when they return it is the practical part that will be very busy, Thomas told me they will work and study day and night !!!


The morning of the “ Freezing Fog” we were up so early and lit the fire, still very dark outside, it was  5.30 a.m. and too cold to stay in the tent.My many layers of clothes told a story in themselves,
2 layers of merino, then a heavy fleece jacket, a Gore-Tex coat with hood pulled up, fleece  hat, gloves and cut off socks that I use to go inside my boots also on my hands.Thick merino socks and tramping boots.
Why was I  here???no  real answer to that question.  Well, after the early morning coolness, the days warmed up and were mostly fine and almost hot.
But if you mention the cold to a “ King Country” man, the message is “ You need to harden up.  Swallow a teaspoon of cement !!!” The economy of his words said it all, not even a suggestion of a  concrete sandwich.

 
The night sky colours are showing that wonderful range of smoky pink,taupe,grey and mauve, that lasts for such a short time, then all is dark.
lichen hung off the trees, and when it was windy blew around, waving its fronds,  and there were many birds, not afraid, who came each morning.


The black bush robin was elusive and very hard to get a good picture as he flitted so fast,This was one of the few times he/she sat still long enough to get a shot not too blurry.He sat on this cut off slab of wood every morning, then was gone all day, and there was only one.

On Monday 19th, we went to Taumarunui for more supplies, a new sleeping bag for me, and other goodies.I did buy a New Zealand Herald, but DID NOT look at the weather details, and did not give a second thought to the local weather forecast.
Horror, it  read for…..
 King Country area, TODAY,  periods of rain developing during the morning. Southeasterlies strengthening, rising to gale, gusting to 110km/h in exposed places from late afternoon.
This was so true. It was called a Cyclone in Taupo, Ohakune and New Plymouth had wind/gale damage, and at our camp the gale blew ALL NIGHT. One tent pole cracked, that side kept falling over with reach gust, the tent collapsing onto my side. Finally we got up, lit the fire, and waited for dawn.

The gale winds are coming very soon!!!

Quotation of the day,  from an unknown writer

“ Those who say you cannot take it with you have not seen a vehicle packed up for a camping trip to the outback”

Cheers from Jean

Today is the 10th, and the 100th post winner is.....

The pot was held high, I  balanced the camera in the other hand, and Hugh did the honours.
And the winner is
Linda at Razzle Dazzle Quilter.








Congrats Linda, your parcel will be in the mail on Monday. Enjoy.
 We have had a stunning day here, all sunshine, little wind, and may this continue for the following 16 days. I have ordered fine weather,  not too cool  nights, no frosts, and just enough wind to dry the washing. The machine I use for that is a 2-handed one.
Photos to follow when I return home.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

"Friends are threads of Gold in the quilt of life"

Cheers from Jean.

Posts, Photos and Pets

I have had problems with these videos, the You Tube words have remained,
the replay button does not go away until I click on the shrink,enlarge icon at the corner.
Then the words echoed and were played twice!!!
The  steepest part of the track starts before the quad comes into view, and then it goes on forever.

Hugh, slowly, slowly, then speeding away.

These cows and maybe the four horses were at the top of a large paddock, the one place that I did sit on the back and ride, the hill was long, and a bit steep at the end. The cattle were so quiet, they hardly moved to let us through.

This cow was in the next paddock to where the A Frame is, she is not in calf,
but is that fat always. The funniest thing is she looks lopsided, so goodness knows how big she will be later on.


The early morning fog cleared away later in the day, and to join in with others around the country we had a red cover and black tyres, as we remembered Christchurch.

    
      
          
Back home, I am learning to use my new camera. It is superb. thanks to Bruce Watt Photography and the wonderful staff there. Everything was explained, options of each model thoroughly described, and my choice was a Canon 550D. Yes, I really have one.Wow!! Wow!!! What can I say !!! So over the next two weeks with no internet,
no phone, no TV, and only generator power, surely I will get to learn more , I will have  so many  choices for good shots, and no distractions. Knitting, books and some stitcheries will fill in the other time I have left.
The 550D seems to capture the different shades of green so well, and this is without
any practice.







Last year we stayed at Piropiro Flats  for a week, and one hunter and his dog became separated.
Another young man found Jake, and he ended up with Ritchie, after a ride back to our camp on the quad.
He listened so carefully to every truck, vehicle and quad for 2 days. Then the next afternoon he sat up, ears up straight, then was so excited.
we couldn’t hear the car, but he knew who it was. Yes, his Dad had got the message and was so happy, thankful and relieved that Jake was found.
Grateful does not even begin to say how they both felt. Jake did circles, jumps, his tail nearly wagged off. Here he is in  a sad pose, still waiting.
Who will we find this time?

Quotation of the day, from W H Davies, 1871-1940

“What is this life if,full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare”

Cheers from Jean

50th has gone, 100th, is here.

Here we are, the 100th post.The planned handmade  giveaway has not been finished
I have been to the hills, and didn’t take the machine up there!!! You know why.
So here it is, a selection of buttonhole threads and  fancy buttons,
Some applique pins and a Mother Goose  tin for pins , or anything else
And ,  handmade, but by Hugh, a note board with notepaper,with ample space to fill in a lengthy list under the words
“Things To Do”.
This is for any reader in New Zealand, as I cannot post the wood so easily overseas without doing complicated declarations.
The overseas giveaway will be a little later, and will be made by me, yes truly,
and will be able to be posted anywhere in the world.
So, all you bloggers who live outside of good old NZ, keep looking.
I am away again from next Tuesday for 2 weeks, again there will be generator power, BUT, no internet access, no cellphone signal, we  will have a GPS, a PLB, and will be in the Pureora Forest Park area.(p.s. flat roads in and out, via the 4WD, all safe )
So your giveaway will be after that time away.
Our wonderful gem, Janet, will be here for the home, garden, and most important of all, the 2 feline family members.


Please leave your comment and your name will go into the draw, and the lucky person’s name will be drawn out of the box/hat/basin/,  on Saturday 10th  March,  well before the 15th, which is known as “ The Ides of March” in the Roman Calendar.

Quotation of the day,  author unknown

“Friendship is like a quilt, lives pieced together over the years,

Stitched with smiles and tears,

Coloured with memories, and bound with Love”

Cheers from Jean.

A Short Holiday and Home Again

I am a calm sea, flat road, safe trip, kind of girl. I had already mentioned that  I would prefer to walk in most of the way.But maybe I should have shouted, instead of saying it in a quiet kind of way!!! So it should not have been a surprise when I said I would walk down the first difficult part of the track  in, it was steep and had very deep tracks. Well, it was all my fault, as the trailer was loaded allowing for my weight on the back of the quad.The trailer pushed the quad sideways, one rear wheel was a long way off the ground, and we could not lean on it enough to get it back again. Tracey could  see the next part of the track from the woolshed, and as dagging was on the day’s work list, Tracey was working hard.Her words “ Txt me when you get there”, so after we set off, she did one ewe, looked up at the track, did another, looked again, and so on, until she decided this ewe was the last and she was coming down to  see where we were and what had gone wrong.!!!. THEN, there we were, going up the next hill. Whew!! What a relief.   Dagging continued, without a need for a constant look out.now I know why  Tracey suggested a txt on arrival!!!
Yes, that is Hugh down the bottom, we had to unhook the trailer, and reload it.Not a good start!!!
And in the green grass on the far hill, that is where Tracey looked for us.

I did manage to get on again, but the white knuckles were there for a good part of the ride.






This is the view, and on a fine day is stunning.Produce from the land is shown in abundance. One mushroom was a meal all by itself.







The barren land of the Waiouru Army Camp, brown and dry in the summer, and frozen with ice or covered with snow in the winter.
Perfect to train the men in difficulty conditions.







There is a quad track in the centre of the grass, it winds down, around, and can be seen again at the top of then hill.
It goes a bit further and this is where Hugh stood on the rocky part.I am so glad we walked there that day.












Here is the night sky, looking to the west, from 1005 metres above sea level.
And here are the boots. just to show I did actually walk to the end of that track.







Back home, and that was our 50th Wedding Anniversary Holiday,flowers were delivered,
and there were many  memories of that day  those  years ago.

 

Quotation of the day, from  William  Shakespeare, sonnet 116

“ Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.

Love is not love when it alteration finds”

Cheers from Jean