Here we are back in Christchurch after a 2 weekish stint in Hanmer. Only a few hours away from Christchurch, Hanmer is a gateway to the mountains kind of town. After our day hike up Mount Isobel the weather turned rainy so we hopped in the vehicle and headed in the direction of the coastal town of Kaikoura. On the way we stopped at the Mt. Lyford ski resort for a cup of coffee and a gawk at the beautiful mountains, then on to Kaikoura. Marc tried several times to get a photo of the magnificent surroundings but rain that falls horizontally doesn't really much help with the photo taking. So we headed off to the seal reserve to check out some sleeping seals, then on to the fish and game shop to pick up some spinner rods and fishing licenses for the rivers full of brown, rainbow trout and salmon here.
Back in Hanmer and more rainy days we played with our fishing rods until I caught a brown trout for dinner!!! Very exciting. It was the first fish that I have ever caught and eaten. I'm afraid that I may be a bit addicted to this fishing thing now. I've also been cutting my teeth on some mellow mountain biking trails in the area. Marc very patiently peddles ahead of me then waits as I complete the same section of trail in a much more wobbly, almost hitting trees and crashing into the bush fashion. Though I have had many near hits, I have yet to actually hit a tree or fall down the mountain side.
We spent another rainy day heading to Maruia springs, a japanese style hot springs resort right smack dab in the middle of the mountains. Very beautiful, very relaxing except for the black flies....sigh. I hate black flies.
Once the forecast started calling for sunshine, Marc and I started packing up for a 3 day hike up to Lake Man that we had wanted to do. We were just not wanting to do it in the rain. Off we headed on Sunday morning, made our way to 2 different camp sites along the way. The first Department of Conservation hut that we stopped at was clearly over used and abused by visitors. Not fit for habitation, we set up shop in the tent. But after a second day of hiking up the Doubtful valley we reached the beautifully preserved DOC lake man bivy. An adorable 2 person bunk house built in the 1960s that hikers and hunters have cared for during their visits. After cleaning ourselves up a little, I chilled out by the hut while Marc hoofed it up the mountain (this time unencumbered but the 30 or so pounds of gear), to check out the lake Man. He returned many hours later with photos galore to show me what I had missed. We hiked out the whole thing in one day (as down is faster than up), back to our cozy house on wheels, showers and laundry!! Along our hike we ran into 2 young guys who were hiking from the Marlborough area right through to the bottom on NZ in the Milford area. They hike for 2 weeks straight, then take a break in a town to fatten up a bit and drink some beer before starting in again. The longest hike that I have ever done was 8 days in Paragonia, I can't imagine going for 2 weeks.....repeatedly. Their rest days in between their slogging must feel like heaven.
So we packed up our caravan, headed to the Hanmer hot srings for an hour or so, before driving back to Christchurch. This time we had loaded the caravan wrong and it was swinging perilously on the highway before we stopped at the side of the road to shift the weight distribution around. Now we know better for next time.
Will be spending a week or so here in Christchurch over Christmas.
Take Care!!
Erin and Marc
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