Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A week with a few differences!

Every week I take a couple of large water bottles down-town and fill them with very pure public spring water from near Bullock Creek. I prefer to do this very early in the morning, and it's not a bad idea to take my camera for any landscape photography that may present itself by this corner of Lake Wanaka.

This sunrise was one of the most spectacular I've ever seen. Similar views were apparentlyexperienced in Queenstown and Dunedin...
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Next on the agenda on the above Friday morning was to say goodbye to Dougal, as he headed off for his first year at University in Dunedin. Despite the obvious changes for myself, I'm quite excited as it'll be the "makings" of him...
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Then after the weekend I had a wee contract job teaching river crossing techniques to DOC staff/friends based around Glenorchy.

Here my good friend Stu starts the practical sessions on the bank of the mildly flooded Rees river...
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By the end of Monday the weather was warmer, but the river was coming up as we trained, and getting more raw by the hour. Some sun on our departure was most welcome for this shot...
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It was good to be off the islands we crossed to, and head home to Wanaka leaving the wild little Rees to carry on what it's been doing for thousands of years. The sediment from Muddy Creek was making it like soup too - very interesting.

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8 Comments:

Blogger Shirley Goodwin said...

Wonderful sunrise photo!

February 22, 2011 at 8:39 AM  
Blogger Ruahines said...

Kia ora Donald,
That sunrise is just ethereal and magic. Gives me a good feeling. Best wishes to Dougal. Kia kaha e hoa.
Cheers,
Robb

February 22, 2011 at 9:09 AM  
Blogger Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Loved your photo and good to see you are still teaching river crossing.

Purely by chance, would the Stu be Stu Thorne who worked for DoC. If so give him my best wishes. We were in the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club as teenagers and worked at Mount Cook. It looks like him.

So sad about the earthquake in Christchurch.

February 22, 2011 at 8:10 PM  
Blogger Donald said...

Hi Bob

Yes, that is Stu. While we were driving to Glenorchy I asked him if he knew you and explained our blogging connection. We've worked many years together on SAR, and got past the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff look as much as possible, so we used to put a lot into Mt Safety work.

He retired from DOC ages ago, and then volunteered for 7 months of work for them on Roeul Island. Busier than ever apparently!

As I write this I'm watching TV at 8.20 pm, and am aghast at the Chch. images and news. And thinking about how I can help at a practical level! Self contained 4wd camper truck is fueled up, but more seems needed than this! Such as skills and equipment to handle the collapsed building environment and scenarios.

I'm about to ring up a few practical SAR friends and see what thoughts are gelling if any.

Any ideas welcome!

Cheers

Donald

February 22, 2011 at 8:30 PM  
Blogger Donald said...

Hi Shirley

Yes, nice sunrise - same photo as before, but tweaked a little in PShop.

Cheers

Donald

February 22, 2011 at 9:04 PM  
Blogger Donald said...

Dear Robb

Glad about the good feelings. We need as many as we can get eh!

I'll pass it on to Dougal.

Hope you and yours are OK?

I'll give you a ring at some point to catch up.

Cheers

Donald

February 22, 2011 at 9:06 PM  
Blogger Marg said...

Its interesting looking at these pictures in the wake of what has happened in Christchurch. The scenery looks so immovable, permanent and unshakable. A person could never imagine unless they experienced it the potential of those forces.
I hope your boy loves his new hall of residence and makes many new friends. cheers

February 23, 2011 at 10:10 PM  
Blogger Donald said...

Dear Marg

Indeed, but we're geologically a very young country, and only recently have we gained many more insights into where tramping huts should, or should not be sited.

The same applies I guess to our homes in our towns and cities, but it's a bit less extreme out on the flatlands. Up until now that is, although Napier was an exception.

Yes, Dougal seems to be blossoming and fortunately he has quite a few friends already in Dunedin, and also he's down there with about 4 from his class at school. They're all very supportive of one another.

Cheers

Donald

March 9, 2011 at 8:13 AM  

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