Ross and Wyn Davies Travel Blog

To the Top at Tekapo

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Ross

After our visit to Mt Cook it was time to be moving on. The weather forecast was a bit uncertain with mention of snow so we figured on getting further north, east, and lower – in that order. We headed on to Lake Tekapo and made a bee-line for Mt John. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie Country, Mt John observatory, Tekapo | Leave a comment

Coming Closer To Mt Cook

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Ross

After a couple of days of looking up Lake Pukaki towards Mt Cook it occurred to us that we could go visit the mountain. So Saturday last weekend we did. We went for a drive up the Tasman Valley, after the place thawed out a bit Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Ben Ohau Range, Lake Pukaki, Mackenzie Country, Mt Cook | 4 Comments

Light and Shadow – One Day at Lake Pukaki

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Ross

Friday of last week we were parked up at Lake Pukaki. It is an extraordinary landscape. And waterscape? Mt Cook and the other biggies up the lake. The Ben Ohau Range across the lake. Assorted hills off to the east. With the winter sun; low and weak. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Ben Ohau Range, Lake Pukaki, Mackenzie Country, Mt Cook | 2 Comments

To Lake Pukaki – via Lindis Pass

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Ross

We finally left Hawea Flat last Thursday and headed north towards the Mackenzie Country. We were thinking Lake Pukaki would be a good place to park up on the way. And so it proved to be. One of the best. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Ben Ohau Range, Lake Pukaki, Lindis Pass, Mackenzie Country, Omarama | 2 Comments

Of Sun and Stars – Hawea Flat

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Ross

Tuesday last week was a lovely sunrise morning. And the night before that was a wonderful clear starry night. I had a try at photographing the stars and was pleasantly surprised by the results. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Central Otago, Hawea, Otago, stars, sunrise | Leave a comment

Wonderful Wintery Wanaka Waterfront

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Ross

Monday afternoon last week we spent a some time in Wanaka. I had a couple of hours for supermarket shopping and wandering along the lakefront taking photos. It was a wonderful day after a frosty start. Calm and clear. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Central Otago, Lake Wanaka, Otago, Wanaka | 2 Comments

Up the River – Matukituki Valley

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Ross

Last Sunday was a day for an adventure. The forecast was for a fine clear (and cold day) and it didn’t disappoint. We headed up the Matukituki Valley. Parts of the valley the sun doesn’t even reach at this time of year. Permanently frozen. It was a glorious day. One for remembering trips of old. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Central Otago, Mt Aspiring, Otago, West Matukituki | Leave a comment

Around The Block – Hawea Flat

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Ross

Saturday was a good day. The sun shone and it was warm enough. I went off to Wanaka networking and Wyn tackled some washing. There was a keen wind off the lakes but it calmed down on dusk. The lovely evening encouraged us out for a walk around a block of Hawea Flat. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Central Otago, Hawea, Hawea Flat, sunset | Leave a comment

When is a Creek Not a Creek – Lake Hawea

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Ross

After a bit of relaxing at Hawea Flat, we headed out last Friday for an explore around Lake Hawea. We had a drive around the township and found a picnic area down by the lake for lunch. A cool wind coming up the lake almost negated the pleasure of being out in the sun. Such is the balancing act of winter. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Hawea, Hawea Flat, Lake Hawea, Timaru Creek, Timaru River | Leave a comment

The Roxburgh Virgin and Other Miracles

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Ross

Somewhat reluctantly we finally got ourselves out of Dodge City/Dunedin on Wednesday. We’d done a lot of catching up and missed a few people as well but it was time to head west. West into Central (Otago) and the real winter. We’d found it cold enough in Dunedin so who knows what we were thinking. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Central Otago, Dunedin, Lawrence, Roxburgh | 1 Comment

Catching Up and Down-Sizing in Dunedin

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Ross

We have just had a couple of busy weeks in Dunedin, catching up with family and friends. This is always lovely but also reminds us of what we miss out on being away. There never seems to be enough time. We also took the opportunity to stash stuff we’d decided to remove from Suzi motorhome. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Dunedin, Otago | Leave a comment

Diesel Heater Discussions in Dunedin

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Ross

This is a little discussion about diesel heaters. A motorhome without a good heater is not good any time. And in winter it is bad. Suzi motorhome had a diesel heater installed when she was built back in 2008. In recent times the heater started stopping occasionally – which was not good. Continue reading →

Posted in Motorhome Appliances | Tagged Airtronic D2, diesel heater, Eberspacher, heater | 15 Comments

Only in Oamaru

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Ross

Last weekend we had a lovely time in Oamaru, enjoying the galleries and shops in the old part of town. It is an extraordinary part of New Zealand with its Victorian streetscapes. And Oamaru makes the most of it. Lots of Victorian-themed events and businesses, including all the galleries and shops. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged Donna Demente, Harbour Street, Oamaru, Victorian | 2 Comments

Oamaru On The Way (On Fire)

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Ross

On our way south last weekend (Queens Birthday weekend), we stopped off in Oamaru. The Oamaru On Fire event/festival thing was on on the Friday night and there was a steampunk thing going all weekend. Oamaru has extraordinary Victorian streetscapes and amazing old buildings. And a determination to make the most of them, most recently via steampunk. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily log | Tagged festival, Harbour Street, Oamaru, steampunk | Leave a comment

South Into Winter – via Hanmer Springs

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Ross

Each winter that we’ve been on the road we’ve gone north. This time we’ve headed south, and not without some apprehension. We thought we’d soften the shock by starting with some hot pools. And there’s none nicer than Hanmer Springs. Last Wednesday we woke up at the NZMCA parking place just out of Hanmer Springs Continue reading →