2004
NORDLYS
David and Annette Ridout
Thu 25 Mar 2004 06:22
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25th March 2004
A very belated attempt at bringing readers up to date
with our adventures so far this year .
We saw the New Year in surounded by friends in ChristabeI's
Lymington home. I am not sure what the Chinese call 2004 but for me
it started of as 'the year of the computer'. A few days into the New
Year and mine crashed taking many programs and more importantly the pictures for
a talk I was due to give to apparent oblivion. Will Sutton, a young man
just starting his own business, worked miracles on my machine. He had to
do things again a few weeks later when one of the current plethora of
viruses caused havoc. His skill is great and he definitely deserves to
succeed.
On the 20th January George Scott Ridout entered this
world. He had stayed inside in the warmth as long as he could and
emerged, two weeks late, a fit 9lbs ready to tackle the world. As I
write mother and father and of course George himself are apparently all in very
good form and enjoying each other.
The trip back to New Zealand went without any hitches. I
find myself having no desire to be 'driving' but would like to be turning left
and not right as one enters the plane!
A week sorting things out in Whangarei and we were off
south. I do not intend to give a blow by blow account of our
travels. Our overal memories are of fantastic scenery, very good company,
warm welcoming local people and in the case of Fiord Land a definite feeling
that one was in one of this planets last few untouched wildernesses. We
also feel that although it was by no means always good the weather was actually
quite kind to us. It was rather cold and wet for much of the first week
but while we were in Fiordland and on the West coat the sun shone from a pure
blue sky. Our southbound crossing from Wellington to Picton was the
roughest ferry ride I have ever had. A few hours later as it returned the
ferry had an even worse time and lorries fell on cars in the vehicle deck.
We had white water over the top of the high large vessel. The Hutt valley
where we had stayed the night before this voyage was flooded out in the worst
weather in recorded history the night after we left.
Christchurch saw us meeting the Hobsons. Recently
arrived from England they made a very stout job of ignoring a thirteen
hour time change and the pace was 110% from the start. B and Bs,
motel rooms and farm stays came and went. The rain also came in fair
quantities. The leg muscles were well exercised and a lot of New Zealand
was covered by our wheels and our feet. One thing that became obvious is
that there is a distinct difference between day walks and the various three or
more day hikes. The latter need specific equipment and the popular ones
need booking so if your dates are in bad weather then bad luck. Also one
point to bear in mind is that many of the walks have nearly a day of
climbing/descending through dense woodland at each end and there is little view
while doing this. An exception to this proved to be the delightful
Raspberry creek. Given good weather I would opt for a helicopter ride to
the ridge and then a walk along and down through the woodland having had the
views if doing a long days hike.
We jet boated up the Dart river into the wilderness and canoed
down in inflatable canoes we had taken with us. Much amusement was caused
by the couple who had cruised together for over 35,000 miles in great
harmony. Nordlys got across the Pacific without ever touching her keel on
the bottom. Our canoe did not do the same that day. The person in
the bow is not supposed to try and steer....... but to keep things happy I
will say that the stern paddler must have been at fault!
Wanaker was probably our favourite stop but so much was
a success it is difficult to say. There is a great deal of experience in
Lymington about travelling in the South Island and we were lucky to tap into
much of it. If anyone is thinking of taking such a trip we will be happy
to fill you in with our experiences in more detail.
Leaving the Hobsons at a railway station so they could catch
the daily train to Christchurch we headed north. They had rung up the
railway office to make sure the train stopped for them. It
was that sort of place. So with nearly 6000km driven since leaving
Whangarei we arrived back to Nordlys. I am writing this some two and a
half weeks after our return. Both of us are feeling rather tired after
working ten plus hour days on our 'home'. Nordlys herself is looking fine
and ready to be launched on Monday. The muscles we did not find when
walking up hills have been found as we sanded, scrubbed and painted.
Usually above our heads or in very tight corners.
Saturday lunch time we are going to the Hangi that the town
council put on for all visiting yachties. This is a sort of Polynesian
feast and is the councils way of saying thank you for visiting and spending lots
of money in Whangarei.
So you are now up to date with our movements. The
Plan is to sail south in a week to Auckland. Stay in and around that area
until early May when Jago and Claire arrive. We will then head north to Opua and
on to Tonga to meet up with them after they have travelled around NZ.
They have opted to get to Tonga by plane leaving us to sail the thousand
miles.
Happy times to you all.
David and Annette
 George
 Milford Sound
 Hold up as we drive Raspberry Creek
 On top of the hill, or almost!
 endless varnish stripping
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