Sabbatical in the Nature

Back in holland again

After a great 5 months travelling I'm back home in holland again. its great to be back and see everybody again.

the wedding

The last week I have been running around looking for suitable clothes to wear for Michaels wedding, which will happen tomorrow. The wedding being outside at a lovely wine farm called vrede en lust. I just hope it stays dry as rain is expected for the weekend. The countdown has started.

I still have a couple of days left before I start work as well. Funny enough looking forward to working again, and being back at home.

Swan River wine tasting

Karen and me went wine tasting in the lovely Swan river area. We started of at 10 am, and at that time of the morning the taste buds are not quite used to having a wine yet, but it was not bad. At the next place we had some more tasting but had to have cup of tea and some lovely cheese to just give the stomach a lining. The wines and the cheese being lovely. Then for something different we stop off at a beer brewery,but that was not so good.i tried the ginger beer (with alcohol) but that was really not good. Then stopped off at a Nougat place, purely by chance, but wow they had the most amazing nougat, and we could taste. Then off to some more wine tasting and eventually landed up at water,s edge winery. This winery had the greatest chardonnay, and a lovely bubbly. We needed some food, and had a great lunch overlooking the Swan river.

Water's edge Winery

Lunch time

Perth city center and Perth Zoo

Today with a lovely 33 deg sunshine, i walked around perth center and then in the afternoon went to the Perth zoo, were Clive was working the day.

The massive fig tree in the middle of perth city,overshadowing the road

the perth mint building. Here they made the olympic medals for the sydney games.

The zoo harbour, overlooking the swan river and the perth city center in the background

Perth zoo,something i have never seen before nore even knew it was around. cassouweri, very much like a emu, but has the most amazing head colours.

Monkey

the sun bears, new to the zoo,and the smallest bear around. feeding time at the zoo
the female, 4 years old and very tame

male, 6 years old,and was very badly treated and abused

Rottnest Island

On Tuesday I went across to Rottnest Island, which has the quokkas strolling around on the island.They get really friendly and get very close to them and even stroke them.

Rottnest Island harbour - only bicycles allowed.

the lovely little Quokka creatures roaming the island.

eating away with the salt lakes in the background

the island,only 11km long and 4.5 km wide

amazing bays

me and my bike with the lovely bays and reef

the narrowest part of the island, and able to see both bays

just amazing colours of the sea and the reef.

my swimminng bay, parakeet bay

One way of cooling down in the sea, very relaxing

Leaving Rottnest island

Perth with Karen,Clive and Remi

Saturday arrived in Perth on a lovely sunny day. The gang were there to meet me at the airport,and it was faboulous seeing Karen and Clive. Remi, wow the little guy that I knew in Holland has really grown to be a little man. He just knows everything about the animals, its amazing his knowledge.

Sunday went to Fermantle. We took a boat ride to Fermantle from Perth.

View of Perth CBD from the ferry boat

And in the fore ground all the sailing boats on the river with the perth background

Clive, Remi and Karen on the ferry

A english lane in the middle of Perth shopping area

The swan lake bell tower

Sydney

On wednesday evening arrived in Sydney, and was picked up by lachlan from the airport. That evening went to a lovely thai resturant and had really great food. It was great catching up with him. On thursday it was a lazy day for me. it was great not to have 10 other people in the house, and trying to get into the bathroom or kitchen. In the afternoon went to the office, and had lunch with the whole gang. that was great, hearing all the stories from the office and that not much has changed. Today I went to the Zoo. I left the house at 9.30 and was back at 6.30. I spent the whole day there, it was just so great. My feet are buggered but it was well worth it.

Sydney office collegues, having lunch at the Oaks hotel

Office views of the opera house and bridge

the sentinel park, where lachlan goes running

Circular quay, aborginals playing music

The amsterdam, docked in the harbour, what a co-incidnece

Opera House, view from the ferry to the Zoo

View from the zoo cable car over the elephants

Animals of the zoo

The lovely Koala bear

Last day in Wellington

My last volunteering day today, as I fly off to Sydney and the Perth to do some holidaying with friends.

Last night, seeing it was my last night, i was asked to play the traditional beer pong game with the guys. Louise and me against the well trained boys, Ross and Stuart. Much to the disappointment of the boys we beat them. The aim of the game is to through a ping pong ball into a cup filled with alcohol of your choice. If the ball lands in the cup, then that person needs to down it. Each have 4 cups each. Of course the winners are when they have gotten the opposition to drink all there cups empty. Loads of fun actually, as the opposition can also try to distract you while you are trying to through.

me throwing the ping pong ball

waiting for the guys to finish there drink

Ross and Stuart trying to distract us when we are throwing

Ross throwing

Eastbourne sand dunes restoration

My last working day today, and what a way to end it. We had an absolute stunner of a day today. Clear blue skies, and working on the beach. We helped to clear the dunes of any weeds to allow the native plants to grow back in the sand dunes. We also did a survey on the skinks, (small little lizards). they have placed some tiles in the sand dunes to provide a living enviroment for the skinks. In the morning a group went to have a look at we found 5 skinks. The afternoon group did not see any unfortunately.

Weeding the sand dunes

Me doing some weeding on the beach

The lovely view from the beach

Tea time, at one of the organisers house, and dave providing tea and coffee and biscuits.

Dave, our guide for the day, handing out biscuits

Garden view to the beach

The lovely garden setting

Skink tile, to create a lovely living enviroment for them

The explanation of the restoration of the dunes

View of wellington harbour from the beach

Lunch time, where we went to a different house. We had lovely fresh bread and with the tea some lovely muffins. Yummy. The house was very unique in that it had loads of windows, and great views over the bay.

Weta house. Wetas are this enourmous like grasshoppers, but with no wings.

Weta inside the house

A Weta, they are known to bite people when angered.

Otari Wilson - Tree measuring

This has been a project that i had done already, so not much news to report. We measured our trees in the designated section, while another group did some more tree releasing of the other trees in the area. It was a short day, and seeing it was my 2nd last day, we asked Dan to take us back to the Chocolate fish cafe. Its such a great little cafe by the beach. Had a lovely piece of chocolate fish cake. Yummy.

This evening was Ross and my turn to cook. We did a grand finale of lovely lamb with spinach and baked potatoes, and to top it off, a baked alaska dessert. Really a lovely meal, even if i say so myself.

As we had finished early, we were off to chocolate fish again. On the road, just before the cafe, this sign is up. Quite funny.

Ross and me were cooking that evening, and Ross does not like cutting up onion. Check out the counter measure !! goggels

We decided to go all out for our last dinner together and so also made a dessert. a lovely baked alaska, and thanks to Ross's beating of the egg whites, the dessert was great.

Eastbourne Possum trapping in East harbour reserve

This lovely walk of about 7 hours I had done already so I knew what to expect from the walking uphills and downhills. The last time we did this project it was extremely humid, but this time it was a lovely sunny day, which is unusual, but also a nice breeze to cool us down.
We did have 4 new people from the last time, so they were not quite sure what to expect and where very happy once we reached the top of the hill and having the beautiful views of Wellington harbour and city. On the way to our trap lines, we came across other lines. We found a possum in one of these traps hanging from the tree. It was not a very nice sight, as they look so cute. Especially seeing that the day before at Nga Manu I had see a live one in the reserve. Toby then released the animal from the trap. On our lines thankfully we did not find any possums.

Wellington harbour view from the top of the hill

The guys having a break at the top of the hill

The possum in the trap against the tree

Toby releasing the possum from the trap

Lunch time scenery

Lunch time

Lunch time gang

the scenery around us during our tracking line

the river that we need to cross multiple times to follow our trap line

yet another view of the river and the lovely palm trees

Nga manu

Another day at that we visited Nga Manu reserve. On the 17 Feb, the reserve is having a music show and so we needed to trim all the plants around the grassy areas where the people will be sitting. The day was lovely and sunny so that added to the good humour of everybody. we were also finished quite early so that was nice. Our thanks for the hard work was a lovely ice cream, (i feel 10 again)hi hi

On the way to Nga Manu we have the lovely view of Kapiti island which has no predators for the native bird life here.

Trimming the Toi Toi trees and getting them in shape for the music concert

Toby dumping all the tree off cuts

the lovely coloured parrots

The Keo bird, which has a amazing beak. The top bit is extremely long, while the under bit is quite short.

Wednesday -- Seal survey at Cape Pallister

After having a lovely couple of days off, it was back to work again. We had a nice 2 hour drive to the east coast. Today another seal survey, this time out at Cape Pallister. These seals were all pretty friendly and we could get quite close to them.
Fur seals

Fur seal well camouflaged

Fur Seals

Some of the views of the beach

coast line

cape pallister coast line

more coast line

the gang counting the seals

and yet another seal

Coast line with the seals

The light house, with over 200 steps to the top

view from the light house.

Long Weekend.

I'm going to be off further north into the island and do some exploring and site seeing.First driving up to Tai Hapa and staying at a lovely backpackers place along the river in canyon. The place is about 35 min away from Tai Hapa. Sunday going for a full day horse ride, which will be amazing i think. On Monday, off to Lake Taopo, and see Huka falls, taste some honey and see the volcanoes, and hot water springs. That is the plan, and hopefully i will have enough time to all this before i need to drive back on the Tuesday.

here are some pictures of the time away.

My rented car

The amazing roadways

All the sheep in a row

The lovely rolling hills with the sheep everywhere

me having a round of pitch golf on the sheep fields at the lodge i was staying

The view of the golf course

the river vallye lodge

On top of the world

View while horse riding. we went right to the top of the hills. Great time.

Me horse riding for a full day

Jess, the guide, on her horse

More views of the horse ride

Mt Ruapehus in the Tongariro National park

the red crator in the tongaria national park. Very lucky that the sky was so clear that day. I should have gone for the tongaria crossing walk and got up real close then.

Tongaria waterfall

Mt Tongariro and the red crator in the middle

Mt Tongaria, the volcano

Huka falls

Craters of the moon

champagne pool at Waiopato

Lady knox geyser

lady knox spouting out steam. the water coming out is actually cold when it lands of your skin.

Maori greeting

Maori greeting with the rest of the people

Pohutu, largest geyser in the southern hemisphere. This geyser blows out steam every 10 to 20 mintues for 20 to 40 mintues

The mud pools, bubbling away

the amazing rail way designs across valleys

The steep limestone cliffs along the rivers

the curious sheep on the rolling hills

the road, nice and winding

Lake Rotopauna, which had the most amazing big trees

View of lake Taupo, the largest inland lake in the world

Some of the landscapes while drivig up to River valley lodge, and finally seeing loads of sheep

My sleeping accomodation at the River Valley lodge

Gravity Canyon, here people do the bungy juming, and the new thing, the fly fox. From a height of 117m 3 people lying on a board with the stomach, get sent down and can reach a speed of up too 160km/h. scary stuff

Rimutaka Park - Stoat/rat traps checking

Today was the task to check and control the stoat traps. The reserve/park was only half hour away from the house, and just over the hills. First had to collect some eggs to replace the current ones in the traps and off we went.

Dan and Chris at the start of the walk

Area where 12 kiwi's have been introduced again successfully

Walking along the route on the normal path before we go off track.

Once we arrived, it was a good hour walk before we needed to climb up the hill and follow our trap line and check these. We were divided into 3 groups and each assigned each 4th trap to check. In total we had 37 traps that we check. We were the only group that actually found anything trapped inside. We found 2 rats in different traps and had to remove them from the trap. Not a nice job to do and it stinks.

trap checking

trap with rat checking

walk through the forest off the beaten track

The walk itself was a lovely scenery views, but with some stiff uphill climbs, but well worth it. In all it did not take us very long and by 3pm we were back at the house again. Nice short day again but this gave me time to go and pick up my car for the long weekend.

Forest view on the off beaten track

View of the wellington bay

Wellington harbour view from the top of the hill. We were very lucky today with the weather, lovely and sunny for once.

A lovely waterfall along the way

A hard days of work is finished.

Seal Survey - HoneyComb Rock

Today we drove out 2 and half hours along the east coast of the north island away from Wellington. We arrived at Flat point, and then drive another 2 km along the beach where we all got out to start the walk looking for the seals to count. All we needed to do was count the seals in a certain area. At the same time see if they were male, female, juvenile or a pup. As yesterday 4 people had left the group we had 4 new people with us. All from England again, all 18 years, with the exception of one man being 58.

We were split up into 2 groups each having a different section of the beach to count the fur seals. Some of the seals that we saw and counted. The seals where mainly male seals.

Seals on the honeycomb rocks.

Another pair of seals

The group counting the seals.

as usual the weather was not that great and we had plenty of cloud again. We also had a shower of rain.

The view of the east coast.

The lovely overcast clouds, but they made some great views.

Bushy Park

On Monday we set off to Bushy park. The park is along the west coast of the north island about a 4 hour drive away from Wellington.

At Bushy park, we basically set out traps for the rats and then would then also check the traps after a night.

On Wednesday afternoon we returned again. We found 4 new people in the house by the time we had returned from Bushy park. We had dropped off Mark at the airport, and Tom,Ben and Harris at the Wilderness backpackers in Wellington.

Ross and Toby getting the black shoe polish on the metal, and putting down the papers to get the foot prints.

The gang getting ready to all split off and do different lines of the rat traps.

Robin, the Bushy Park guide, showing us the different lines.

The lovely BBQ on the front lawn of the homestead.

The bunk house where we were staying while in Bushy Park. This house was behind the homestead house.

Getting ready with our peanut butter and our papers to fill up our traps.

the rest of the gang in the forest.

The gang of the past 2 weeks before 4 were dropped off. From left, Harris, Mark, Louise,Tom,Stuart,Ross,Alan,Ben and me in the front of Ben and Ross.

We had little robins and fantails and timtit birds following us in the forest. As we walk we seem to loosen the leaves on the ground and the insects come free for the leaves. Here are some pictures of the robins that we saw. THey have really long legs for their small size bodies.

The bunk room that I was sharing with Ben and Harris. I felt like a school kid again.

The thank you board of all the people that help. GVN is also on the board.

Sunday -- free time -- horse riding

Today we had a free day, and i decided to go horse riding. I was up early to walk down the hill to Lower Hutt, to catch the bus to Wainouimata where I would be picked up by Mac.

After a half hour bus drive, and met up with Mac, we drove through to the horses. The horses graze out in the fields on the slopes of the hills overlooking Wellington. We first had to cross the river 3 times before we reached the horses. We then needed to go out there and catch the horses. We used loads of carrots to get them to come to us. I had a new thoroughbred mare which he had only 6 months which i needed to walk down to the trees and where the trailer was. While I'm standing there holding this lovely horse, then next thing out of the blue it starts to rear on its hind legs and pulling at the rope, after like 3 rears, i finally got it to stop and stand still. Apparently this horse, an ex race horse, does not like being tied up at all. Well I soon noticed afterwards, while the horse had been tied up to a tree. While the horses are being saddled up, and this horse already had a saddle on, the next thing a foal comes in the area of the mare, and starts to rear and go bananas, and breaks the branch of the tree that its tied to. After rearing a couple of times, it falls down on the ground and just lies there, as if its broken its legs or something. The horse is refusing to get up, not even trying to get up and at the same time the rope is still very tight around his face, but she is refusing to get up. Mac then tries to loosen the rope from the branch, but there is no slack in the rope to undo the knot. So Mac, then starts kicking the mare in the side to get her to get up, but no luck. He then gets another rope, and hits her across the nose to make her get up. She then eventually gets up, but then not even a minute later, she rears again, and then just falls down to the ground again, and stays lying there. Now you can imagine what is going through my head. I'm thinking what have i got myself into. I'm going riding with these people. I really felt sorry for the horse, but when I say how it just went through his legs and stayed lying down on the ground I could see his reasoning. Mac then just left her lying there and i'm thinking she is going to die here in front of me, but I can't do anything. Then mac, get a rope again and hits her real hard again on the nose and she gets up again and stays standing. Very weird. Mac then explains this is typical of a thoroughbred race horse. They are apparently so spoilt that the horses don't know how to fight and many just give up and actually just die. WOW that was quite a start of the morning. Oh yes, to top it off, when we were driving the car to the horses, the dog was running next to the car, and the next minute we hear this squeal. The dog had gotten trapped under the front tyre of the car, and it seemed ages before the driver, Pete, reversed and the dog was released. He was walking okay, but his whole inside of his back leg was open and red. Shame. I thought what cruel people.

the horses tied to the trailer.

Then while saddling up, i see all these very old saddles and they just get chucked on the ground. My mind was spinning and getting pretty nervous and thinking what have i gotten myself into. Anyway, he seemed to trust my riding skills, as I had to take across 2 horses to where we needed to meet the other riders. I first was riding Chasey, who apparently stared in the movie Lord of the rings 3, riding next to the king of the movie. When he found out what the riding capabilities of the other people were i got to ride callops. A nice dark bay horse, which is apparently also used for polo cross. Nice horse. I first went for a hour ride, and then went for a 2 hour ride with different people. The horses are extremely strong, called station horses. They literally need to climb 45 deg hills or go down these very steep hills. It was mainly going galloping up the hill or walking down the hill. Sometimes we even went galloping down a hill. OOh that was scary. I must say in the end I was very impressed with Mac, and the way he handles his horses. They are amazing well mannered horses. On both rides, he had people that have never ridden before, and before they knew it they were galloping up the hills. Because of the style of saddle, the people could hold onto the saddle, and they would hold on to the horses mane, and just leave the reins, and the horses knew exactly what to do. Really amazing. I had a good time out there. On top of that we had some amazing views of the sea and of Wellington harbor and the bay area.

Views from the ride

Queen Elizabeth II trust fund wetlands

Today, yes a Saturday, we helped 2 old ladies with tree releasing on their own property. Jill and Joy have bought a piece of land, 10 hectares big, 7 years ago on the west coast. They have slowly but surely being putting the land back to its old environment of being wetlands. They rely completely from volunteers helping them maintain the place and to help plant the new trees and to keep the weeds away. They have already seen the effect as the ducks and birds are coming back to the area.

We were welcomed with rhubarb scones and tea, and with a explanation on how they started and what they are currently trying to achieve. We soon started after the talk to remove the nasty creeping plants from the native plants and cleared them all from around the tree trunks.

The creeping plant removed from the trees

and see the difference

Joy on her tractor

In the afternoon we then helped to release a new trees that had been planted a couple of months ago. The small trees were completely covered by the long grass and weeds. Apparently wellington region is experiencing its wettest summer.
Lunch time view

lunch time

Toby and the weed eater machine

After our work, GVN treated us to a lovely fish and chips meal. We bought the food an sat on the beach to enjoy the lovely weather that we were experiencing. I think it was the first day that we had so much sunshine. It was great. In all it was really a great day. They both so much appreciate the help that they can get.

Having fish and chips on the beach

the beach view

Makera park "Big Hill" of Wellington

Today we helped out on a mountain bike and walking trails park just outside of Wellington. Jonathan was our guide with Dan of GVN today. Jonathan is a well known NZ mountain biker, so he knows how to build mountain bike tracks.

We started by going right to the peak, to Makera peak, all at 417m. The peak was wind still which was unusual so that was why we started up on the peak. Its usually very windy and in the clouds. From the top was a very good view over Wellington harbor. We started removing dowens barberry from the top, which is a prickly tree. We then walked a little down the hill and followed a mountain bike track, which had just started to be cleared. We needed to clear the track more and remove trees that were in the middle of the track.

After lunch we freed the flexes from the long grass and weeds on the top of the hill slope. It then started to drizzle very lightly but then half an hour later the sun was out briefly again. Then the clouds set in again. After an hour or so, we then went back down the hill and started to clear a new track for mountain biking. We had to chop down trees and remove roots to make the track as clear as possible.

The peak and all the different mountain bike trails over the world

View of Wellington harbour

View of Wellington

Removing the long grass and releasing the flexes

Otari park Wellington

Today we went out to Otari botantical park in Wellington. The GVN volunteer group has a 10 by 2m piece of ground that is monitored to see the growth of new native plants in the area. We need to measure the trees and see if any new plants have grown in the area. The area has been controlled by GVN since June 2005. They then started planting young trees in the area. We then also removed all weeds from the area.

Otari botanical Garden

Noting down the tree lengths of the trees GVN have planted over the last 18 months

Mark, clearing away the weeds from the track

In the afternoon we then went to the picnic area of the park, where also new young plants had been planted. Here we also released all the young trees from the weeds and also added wood shavings around the tree stems to protect them from the weeds and grass.

Lunch time- throwing of cut grass

Explanation of the different trees in Otari park

We stopped pretty early and went to a well known cafe called the chocolate fish. The cafe is the other side of wellington bay. The director of lord of the rings lives just a couple of houses away from the cafe. The cafe is really very different. Each chair has a slogan with nice painted pictures. The one side of the cafe is next to the sea, and then with a road in between is the actually cafe. Their is sign along the road warning motorists - beware waiters crossing. The also have a orange beacon in the middle of the road. They have the most delicious chocolate cake and milkshakes. Well worth it.

wall made with paula shells next to the chocolate fish cafe

Lovely chocolate fish sayings, each chair having a different one

the rest of the gang and in the back ground the cafe

the rest of the gang

sunset at the Kowhai house where we are staying

Nga Manu Reserve

Today we went back to the Nga Manu reserve. The morning starting with an hour drive to the reserve. The weather the whole day today has been overcast with occasional drizzle. The drizzle did not help much in clearing the humidity.

Today we split up into 2 groups. The one group carried on with the mulching of trees and the 2nd group helped with getting gravel on the path and getting it compacted. I helped in the 2nd group. It was not a very active day today, and it seemed many were tired from yesterdays walk of 7 hours.

Nothing exciting really happened today and seeing the weather was not that great I could not see many birds either. In the aviary we did get the parrots to sit on our shoulder. The parrot went around each one of us.

Me with the roller

The tractor with the trailer with stone for the pathways.

the boys having some fun

The Tui bird, national bird of NZ. It has some amazing sounds that it makes due to its 2 soundcords.

Possum trap checking - Eastbourne

Today we had to go across the bay from Wellington to check 30 Possum and rat traps that have been installed in the forest of the Eastbourne reserve. The day mainly consisted of walking through the hills (total height 343m we climbed) and walking through or along a river stream. We needed to take along with us, pellets for the possum traps, flour with cinnamon, and rat poison.

getting ready for our climb/walk

the start of the hike

The climb up was pretty steep, and a hour and half walk only going uphill and steep. I was glad when we were at the top as these youngsters went up like speedy gonzales and i had to really walk very fast to keep up. We then walked further up but not too steep but it was a much smaller trail that we needed to follow. The trail is laid out by the Greater wellington nature conservation team.

the top of the hill - break time

a spider web, with Toby in the background

Once we arrive at the river, every 200 m a possum trap and rat poison could be found. We needed to check if the possum trap had a possum, if so we needed to remove the body, otherwise refill the trap with a pellet and dust the tree with flour and cinnamon. the rat trap we needed to check that there was still enough pellets inside for the rats to eat.

Toby explaining how we needed to work with the possum trap

Possum trap and rat trap

The forest we were walking in.

After checking the 30 odd traps we then needed to walk back up the hill and over to get back to our car. In all it was about a 7 hour walk. To learn more about a possum, have a look at these websites
www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/infosheets/possums/
www.kcc.org.nz/pests/possum.asp

Then it was the walk back up the hill, but lovely views on the down hill.

The flower of the phatuko tree, native to New Zealand

The path we followed to get down

The Possum team at the end of the downhill walk

Weekend away in Marlborough sounds

On Friday after our work for the day, myself, Mark and Louise got dropped off at the Wellington Ferry to take us across to Picton. The ferry took 3 hours, with the last hour going through the Marlborough sounds. A very beautiful sight with all the lovely bays and lovely green hills. Its amazing how long the sky stays light.

We got picked up by our lodger,the bayview backpackers. The place we stayed was 5 minutes outside of Picton village. The town only has 4 000 inhabitants, so really tiny. The people that run the backpackers, Sue and Graham, where really super helpful and very friendly.

The Saturday morning we got picked up at 8.30 to go first on a morning kayak to a place called Anakuti. Here we would start walking part of the 4 day Queen Charlotte track. We would walk about 12 km's, (4 Hrs) to a bay called Mistletoe. Here we caught the water taxi back to Picton. The kayaking was very easy going along the coast line, paddling through lovely clear waters, looking for stingrays. The water was also a very nice temp. The weather was overcast which was actually a blessing in disguise otherwise we would be roasted by the sun.

The walk along the coast was along the coast line and at some places some beautiful views. We mainly walked through rain forests. Later in the afternoon it did start to drizzle again, which was a pity.

Once back at the backpackers we went out for a lovely meal at the spinaker at the Marine. One our way back home we saw the comet, McNought. It was an amazing big like flaming star. We first thought it was a aeroplane.

On sunday we walked into the village Picton and had a lovely breakfast at the dog and frog resturant. Its amazing here, at all the places you always need to go to the counter and order and pay and then wait for your food. Sometimes it really takes very long. Sunday afternoon we took a nice wine tour in the Blenheim region which is only a 30 minute drive away from Picton. The english knew quite a couple and the region is more known for is sav blanc white wines than for red wines. We went to 4 different ones, the most famous one being Montana. Montana was also the biggest wine producing farm. After the wine tasting we stopped off at the chocolate factory. WOW this was great. There are only 2 chocolate factories that make these unique chocolates. You are allowed to taste some of the chocolates. I bought a couple it was so good. You can only buy these chocolates from the factory or from the internet booking and they will ship everywhere. that is good.

On monday morning we took the mountain bikes and went along the coast line to look for the mauri sites. It was not too much to look at but the stories were pretty interesting. Apparently in the south island there are not many mauri sitings. Then it was back to Wellington again on the ferry.

Now back at the house again safe and sound.

Great Wellington nature conservation

On Friday we helped the Wellington conservation board, in the same area of wetlands that we worked on Monday. The 2 organisations split the work among themselves. Today we helped remove all the weeds around the new trees that have been planted a couple of months ago. They call it tree releasing as in some cases you literally have to find the tree among all the weeds that have grown around it.
For lunch we had a lovely braai of sausages and then it started to drizzle. We carried on to work potting plants across to bigger bags.

Toby our guide getting rid of weeds around a native tree

and this is what we do, find a loads of weeds,

and then we discover a native planted tree after removing all the weeds. WOW

NGA Manu reserve

Today we spent at the NGA Manu reserve which is about an hours drive away from Wellington on the west coast. We helped with trimming away trees and mulching all the branches. The reserve is 40 ha big, and it has a small wetlands area. The bird live is amazing. The Tui bird was seen often and makes lovely sounds.

the reserve where we were helping out.

Putting all the trees and branches in the mulching machine

Eel feeding time at the reserve

Stream monitoring

Today we did stream monitoring. This was pretty interesting. We could data for the wellington university that use this data and store it in a database. the database is available to everybody and they can see how clean or dirty the rivers are. at the same time schools and the government try and clean out the rivers. apparently last year they had a very dry rain season and then the algae was killing the dogs that was drinking the water.

One person with a gum boots suit goes into the stream and accumulates 5 different samples of water and then we check for algae and any animals and record this data.

Helping in the wellington trail

today we helped out cleaning up the river and also removing alien vegatation in the wellington trail area.

busy removing all the weeds around indiginous trees

http://picasaweb.google.com/imagesbytoby/NZNP20070115_31?authkey=Fbm347An9Rw

Pauatahanui (royal forest & bird group)

Finally in New Zealand, after a very good flight and all. Today, Monday 15 was the first working day. Yesterday I had time to recover from the flight. With a group of the guys I went into Wellington city by bus. The house that we stay in is on top of the hill in Lower Hutt, which is about a half hour outside of Wellington over looking the bay.
Today we help out at the Pauatahanui wetlands area which is mainly run by volunateers, but all people from the area that have retired. They are busy replanting all the indigenous plants in the wetland area to recover from old farmlands. I helped with potting of smaller plants into bigger containers, and also helped plant some reed in the river edges.

Its peaceful in the house now, as the rest of the gang, 7 guys all between the ages of 18 and 20 and one girl, 20 have left to go go-carting. this gives me some time to load up some pictures of today.

the potting area with the older retired people. Some have been working over 15 years here already.

me potting plants

the lady in the front,Wanda, runs the show here and tells us how to pot and what to do.

The wetlands area discription

the word in mari shell of water.

The scenery of the wetlands

Planting grass along the river banks to prevent soil erosion

More scenery of the area of the 20 hectare wetlands

Ring barking and Xhosa lesson

Ring barking the alien trees, and this will make the trees die within a year, and at the same time give back compost to the soil

Xhosa lesson at camp

Inkwekwezi game

Male white lion

Female lioness, 50% white and 50% tawny

EHRA last day at Swakop with the group.

Eleanor, Ashleigh, Julia
me, richard on Swakop beach on our last night

Our last supper,with the whole group at The Tug

Sunset at Swakop

Spoor Tracking

Jarrod making a cast out of a giraffe spoor or track

all the track moulds that we had made of the different animals

Soil erosion

we find places where the top soil has been totally washed away. we then gather alien plants and get these inside the trough. this creates a catchment area for the topsoil next time that it rains heavily.

add more logs to the hole

and nearly full by the time we are finished

Inkwekwezi game reserve camp site and surroundings

Indalo camp entrance to our home

view of the base camp from the top of the hill

Ross playing silly buggers at the bar between the skull of a horse and antelope

Me playing silly buggers at the bar between the skull of a horse and antelope

me with the a young wild stallion

burger night with the whole gang at Inkwenkezi game reserve resturant

Fence clearing

This is how we are busy clearing the fence of any bushes and trees with our pangas. I was called the Tasmanian devil as i was just not stoppable. great !!!!

this is how the area looks before we started to clear the area

and this is how it looks once we were finished by lunch time

The clearing and building of the lion enclosure

working on clearing the area for the lion enclosure

this is how it looked at lunch time

this is how the extension looked before we started

this is how it looked at lunch time

Insects at Inkwekwezi Indalo camp

Head of a elegant grasshopper

Mating elegant grasshoppers

Lovely flower at the camp

Brown stick insect

Kite spider in his web

Butterfly

Green stick insect

Rain spider making his nest of eggs

Moths that were found in the toilet walls

Water spider

Inkwekwezi game reserve working elephants

elephants little hand. the tip of his trunk

the mouth of the elephant and his tusks

have a good old wash down

Me and Michelle with the guide on the elephants for a ride through the bush

Michelle feeding the elephant after our ride to thank him for his good work.

Me feeding the elephant after our ride to thank him for his good work.

EHRA - Patroling and tracking of the elephants

The lovely behind of a elephant, it looks so cute.

Curious cows, they had come up very close to the jeep to see what we were up too. it was the most amazing feeling, nobody was allowed to say a word.

And other cow elephant came to have a look what we were up too.

Baby elephant suckling from the mother.

A small foot print of an elephant

Playfull young bulls have a game of bully

The every peaceful and gentle eye of an elephant

Reserve projects

We did soil erosion, alien plant control, fence clearing, ring barking as all to stimulate the natural growth of the plants in the area. We also started building a lion enclosure as some time during the month of January, 4 lion cubs will be arriving.

Here is a picture of me with my panga removing alien plants, the gauva tree and port jacksons (from australia).

Fence Clearing and control. Here we clear the fence on the side of the reserve to allow easy access to the fence to check if there are any damages and holes in the fence. While doing the clearing we check for holes and fill these up with the plants that we chop down with our panga.

New Years Eve

the pictures of new years eve can be found on http://community.webshots.com/album/556822320vpdsGc

We had a great time playing games until midnight and carried on into the night.

Buccanners Backpackers

The first couple of days were spent at Buccaneer backpackers so that we could have our initiation of the project. On the Monday we walked along the coast and cliffs. The walk also included a sea cave where the bats are living. On the Tuesday we drove around the south Transkei area with a 4x4 and saw how the local people were living.

to see the photos please go to the following link
http://community.webshots.com/album/556721940JAKfLu

Game reserve

See pictures on http://community.webshots.com/album/556724166PdZsde

The first 2 weeks have flown past here at the Inkwenkwezi game reserve. The work that we are performing is very fulfilling as you can see the changes that are happening with our efforts.

Currently we're a group of 7 volunteers, majority from the UK of which 5 ladies and 2 men. One of the guys comes from Germany and the rest from UK. The group are all very much younger than me, which makes a change of conversation topics. The group of people are vastly different from the previous trip I did as well. Here they seem more out to be on a holiday than wanting to do any work. The day usually starts around 9am and then by 12 we have lunch until 2pm. From 2pm till 5pm we work again. Generally it has been that in the morning we will some physical activity like ring barking, alien plantation removal or soil erosion or fence patrol. In the afternoons it would be more relaxed like game monitoring or track collection or spooring or quad biking. We still have not had a chance to do anything with the horses. I hoping that we will do that this week. The horses roam wild on the game reserve and are not stabled or paddocked at all. If a ride is happening then the horses need to be found and rounded up. We have been experiencing a fair amount of rain as well preventing us from doing any work. It has given us the chance to go to the lion park and play with 5 week old white lion cubs.

The game reserve is in the process of getting 4 cubs as soon as they are born in the next couple of weeks. Currently we are busy building the lion cub enclosure.

We have had some close encounters with the white rhino as he roams very close to the base camp. So walking around on your own is out of the question especially at night. The camp is situated in a valley in the middle of bush. The bird life is absolutely amazing and I have seen the Knysa lourie a couple of times. Trying to get a picture is a different story as they keep hiding in the trees and only when they are flying from one tree to the next do you see them again.

I spent xmas at the reserve and helping in the kitchen with the xmas lunches. It was a great experience and loads of fun working there. Afterwards we would all have lunch together with graham and Keith, the owners of the reserve. Because I was the only volunteer at the camp I was allowed to stay at the Lapa guest camp site, wow a really nice camp with amazing showers.

Base camp

Experience

Another 2 weeks have flown by again and I have found myself back in Cape Town again. The experience with the elephants
I can't describe how amazing these animals are. They look and walk so gentle that you can't hear them approach unless they stand on a branch and make a noise. They have the most beautiful eyes that look so sleepy and the biggest dark eyelashes. I have met some amazing wonderful people. It’s great to see how different we all are in personalities but still want to achieve the same goal.

The build weeks were a little disappointing. The 3rd week we did get a chance to build but we were all so keen and eager and good builders that we had run out of cement as we were all building so fast. It was great team work as we all saw how the wall was growing in height. This meant we went back to base camp 1 day earlier. This did give us the opportunity to go to the school that EHRA is supporting. In the last year EHRA have received donations from volunteers ranging from books to computers. Ollie at base camp had made tables and these needed to be transported to the school. We all helped with this and at the same time got to meet the kids and teachers. With the help of Max, they will be installing these computers with educational programs for the kids at school. The next stage that EHRA want to help is providing new mattresses for the school. Currently the school children, who are all boarders, sleep on the floor with very thin bed rolls.

The patrol weeks were also fascinating as Jo, our expert, just knew so much about the elephants, the local people and the country. I sometimes felt he just had so much knowledge to share with everybody as his knowledge range was endless. If it was not animals, it was the mountains, or the history of the area or country. Or how the bushmen hunted and lived. The patrol weeks I sometimes felt like a real tourist just sitting in the cruiser following the elephant tracks but at times where we had to climb up the hills to see if we could see the elephants were fabulous. The unfortunate was that this was not often. In the afternoon during our siesta time some of us would usually go for a walk to keep those muscles moving. Other times a nice snooze was also enjoyed.

The food was outstanding and well above anybodies expectation. The cooking was a great experience, cooking on an open fire and using the typical South African potjie to cook our meals. There were set recipes and the food would be packed in boxes that we needed to take along with us for the build week or patrol week. We would have a lamb potjie or chicken potjie, or leg of lamb roast which was quiet a favorite. The fire making was always fun, looking for wood in the riverbeds or around the camp that we would have set up for the night. A couple of elephant dung or dry grass and we would be on our way to a fire. In the evenings we would have these lovely big fires, to keep the animals away. At times when all you could see was sand and the clothes that you are wearing are covered in sand, then Jo would always find some watering place where we could have a quick wash. On the patrol week we also tried to fix one of the diesel pump motors but unfortunately it looked like the pump was not working correctly. In the area there was a tank of water that was full up so we could all have a wash down. At times a ice cold drink was very welcome, and this was often found at the local shop, which was in the middle of nowhere. On the Sundays we would all pile in the cruiser to go on a hours drive to Uis to stock up with food for the next week, and at Uis we could then make use of the swimming pool of the Brandberg hotel. Of course a well enjoyed cold drink went with that.

The last 2 weeks will stay in my memory for a long time. Maybe because the 1st impression of the area I was able to absorb and I could enjoy the surroundings more. The people definitely made a big difference. The group was smaller, only 6 people and we all got on really well with each other. Maybe because we also enjoyed the big spit braai at base camp with EHRA people and so you could hear how each person is making an effort to help with the desert elephants. The minister of conservation and tourism was also at the spit braai at base camp and it was very interesting talking to her. Finding out what the local people think of the elephants and how they keep trying to find ways to improve the situation for the elephants as well as the local people. One topic was the tracking of the elephants, the conservation people don’t want to see collars on the elephants as then the tourist guides will use the signal to find the elephants. The conservation people do want to know where the elephants are and to be able to follow there trails. It has been found that elephants leave the area and then come back a year later.

After spending 2 weeks in the desert, getting back into the civilization is difficult to adjust too. At Swakopmund we usually tried to keep outdoors. We did a lovely kayak trip to see the seals and flamingos in the Walvis Bay lagoon. My flight back to Cape Town was delayed by a day as the incoming plane when landing broke the front wheel. We had to wait until spare parts where flown in from Windhoek. We were put up in Walvis Bay Pelican beach hotel, which gave me a chance to see the pelicans.

I have made so many pictures and just don't know which ones I can load onto the website taken but I have select some to give you some idea. Enjoy them, I certainly enjoyed the area.

Afternoon walk up the mountain

Hug the tree -- the tree is said to be over 1000 years old

Lunch time snoozes -- anything to have some shade

Elephants

Calf drinking from the mother

eating

Herd Oscar

Base camp 2nd half

At base camp we did experiment a little with the potjie by making chocolate cakes and breads. Ollie is the guy that keeps base camp running and it was his birthday. Ollie is the one that has made the loo and the showers and the sleeping platform in the last couple of months.
Hot showers at base camp

the toilet and its view -- very peaceful

the bread baking

baboons

sleeping platform

sunsets

spit braai to close off the EHRA season.

Base camp 2nd half

At base camp we did experiment a little with the potjie by making chocolate cakes and breads. Ollie is the guy that keeps base camp running and it was his birthday. Ollie is the one that has made the loo and the showers and the sleeping platform in the last couple of months.
Hot showers at base camp

the toilet and its view -- very peaceful

the bread baking

baboons

sleeping platform

sunsets

spit braai to close off the EHRA season.

3rd week - build week

This time we were able to finish off a wall that was started some time back. The farm was about an hour and half away from base camp. We found ourselves a nice big tree and made that a base camp for the next couple of days. We first started off by collecting big rocks to take for the building. Then at the wall we needed to mix cement and start building a nice think wall around the well.

2nd week elephant patrol week camp sites

The 2nd week we were out looking for the elephants we had some amazing camp sites out under the blue sky. It was a great time. waking up when the sun came up (6am) and seeing some beuatiful sunsets on the 3rd night. We would mostly all sleep around the camp fire as in the evenings we would get pretty chilly. In the mornings the sleeping bags were a little wet from the dew.

1st week - build week

On monday we started off from Swakopmund to drive north to the damarland region to work near the Urab river. Monday evening we stayed at base camp and tuesday drove further into damarland to the farmers to finish off a wall around the windmill that pumps the water into the tanks. The reason a wall is built so that the elephants will not break the pump as they will smell that there is water.

Unfortunately when we arrived at the farmer we found no water in the tank so we could not build as we needed the water for the cememt. We stayed the night and then the next morning still no water so we headed back to base camp to help finish off a dome building. this involved building a wall and then placing a dome onto of the wall. We also need to clear sand from the inside of the dome. We then also helped build a well in the riverbed to provide water for cooking,drinking and showers.

Black Rhino and other animals

On the 3rd day of the patrol week we headed into the real desert and in the late evening in the far distances we spotted a rhino in the sunset. we set off to get closer to the rhino but we all had to keep extremely quite as these animals will charge at anything.

elephants

On the 2nd week we had patrol week were we go out to track the elephant herds and find out what they are up too. we found one new herd in the area, and we tracked down 2 existing herds in the Huab river bed. A fair amount of bulls were walking along on their own. We had that once we got caught right in the middle of a herd walking past the jeep. it was an amazing experience to see how gentlely they walked along.

Scenery

Base camp

Here are some pictures of the base camp were we arrived the first night. Its in the middle of the mountains next to the river. Currently the river is not flowing but in a couple of weeks this river bed will be completely flooded for the next 2 months.

The base camp has everything you need. A sleepling platform overlooking the riverbed, a kitchen, lovely cow dung showers, a toilet with a view.

EHRA mid break

After a wonderful 2 weeks in the desert we have arrived back in swakopmund to buy in more food and get some clothes cleaned as we all get really dirty during the build week and the patrol week. Its an amazing time, and tomorrow I will put up some photos of the work and of the elephants.

Odds

Franschoek - LePetit resturant view over the valley

Squash Opening ceromony at Simon's on Groot Constantia, below the wine tasting at Kelvin Groove in Newlands

Table Mountain from Blouberg strand, below Hout Bay and looking at Table Mountain from the Cape Point.

Whales at De Kelders near Hermanus

Game Reserve Inverdoorn near Ceres

our jeep that would take us in the reserve looking for the animals

Lions
Giraffe spot

Giraffe

Springbuck Buffalo

Cheetahs

Z

Zebras White Rhine

Table Mountain walking down

Cape Town and Robben island from table mountain

the way down from table mountain with Segrun going down on flip flops (crazy but she made it )

Cape Town in the distance.

The next couple of days we could feel the muscles when going up and down stairs or just getting in our out of the car, but well worth it.

Some of the flowers that were on the way down of table mountain.

House in Constantia on Silliary road

top left: my bedroom

top right: Sarah Fritz-gerald v Cindy Meintjes ladies 35 + final

left the billiard room in the house

Cape Point Reserve

flowers in the reserve, they feel like paper

overlooking the cape point reserve with the mist coming in.

the sea at the point

Cape point with markers pointing to different cities in the world with the distance

this is at cape point looking at beautiful bays surrounding the cape point.

Sight seeing

The days after the squash was spent travelling around and showing some of the beautiful places to Ella and Segrun. We started of the Sunday by going up to the Table mountain by cable car and walking down. The amazing view from the top and even better there was no wind at all which made it even more stunning. The way down was also very nice, with jelly legs at the end of it and some even more as they walked down on slip slops. The next couple of days we could all feel that we have walked down as the muscles would complain each time we would get out of the car or start to walk around. The next day it was a lovely wine tasting session at Amani ( a wine we had tasted at Spier the Saturday). Of course some bottles of wine was purchased by all of us. Then it was off to Franschoek were we had lunch and then stayed over night at Tulbach. The next morning we were up early to drive to a lovely game reserve called Inverdoorn, which lies between Ceres and TouwsRivier. We did a 3 hour game drive and spotted the black wildebeest, blue wildebeest, giraffe, white rhino, zebra, springbok, gemsbok and many more buck. it was really a well worth drive and nice way to see the animals in the wild. In the smaller fenced off area we say the cheatah and the lions. The pictures will follow soon of some of these animals.
Then it was off to Montagu were we stayed overnight. The next morning it was down to the coast were we saw the lovely whales with there little ones. They are so close to the cliffs so you can see them very clearly. Got some pictures with there tails up in the air. Then it was back to the airport to drop off Ella and Segrun who were returning home again. It was also exciting to see if they were going to get on the flight as they were flying standby but they made it.

Now its relaxing for a while and enjoy the lovely sunshine and the beaches.

Squash Update

at the house

Wow time just seems to fly by. The squash tournament has passed so quickly and today is the first time to sit behind a computer.
I was absolutely amazed at the high standard of the squash even at the ages of 65 plus, it was fabulous to see how even at this age they are still running around on the court with some great squash shots.

My first match was against a seeded played and I did not have much of a say in the game but at least had a good run around . She landed up 3rd at the end of the tournament, so in the end I did not play to badly. My second game was the following day wednesday and unfortunately also lost. This was at least more of a game, but she was a lot better. (she ended up winning the plate). Finally, on friday I played my 3rd game and I won and in the afternoon I had to play again but the legs did not want to move as well as the morning game and lost unfortunately. Looking back I did not have a very easy draw but it sure was a good lesson in squash. Next time round for 2008 in New Zealand definitely train more as the players were all super fit and played good squash. The winner in the 35 + was Sarah Fritz-gerald which was expected seeing she was the world no1 for many years, and second was Cindy Meintijes (really a SA but living in Australia now). The other dutch players also did not exceed unfortunately, but it was great having such a big group either supporting you while you play or being the supporter. There were some great games to watch in all the categories. On Saturday was the final day and it were either South african's, australians or English people in the final.
Here are some pictures of that week

Kitty cats at home

My Kitty cats at home.