We have recently returned from Mount Ruapheu where we had the added bonus of 7 days of awesome weather for our first trip to the snow this Winter…the first of many!

Whakapapa

Whakapapa

There are a number of differences between skiing in many of the European resorts and here on the sides of an active volcano sitting on top a plateau on the North Island of NZ in splendid isolation; well almost splendid isolation as Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom) and Tongariro and in close proximity to the North and Taranaki (another volcano is visible to the West), including exposure to weather and in particular wind and a lack of trees and an abundance of rocks.  Often due to the exposure of the volcano weather can be issue in closing lifts and the rocks definately make the wearing of helmets a good idea! However when then sun shines for  a week the place is stunning and Mt Ruapehu offers an abundance of skiing at Whakapapa and Turoa, both of which have easy access to any type of off piste skiing, with the top of the volcano where you can look into the hot crater lake surrounded by snow and then ski down from, only a ’short’ hike up with your skis / board form the top lifts.

Next time we head down and up and across and down to Ruapehu we will hopefully get some bigger and better shots…with Ruapehu only being a drive away we can get there after work on a Friday for a weekend…yippee!!

So with the relative  proximity to the snowfield plus the surf on our doorstep we have plenty to do, and that’s not even starting on the many rivers to explore…bring on the good times!!

ONe of numerous beaches up the East Cape

well I have now been in New Zealand teaching in Gisborne on the East Cape for 2 months, and I thought it time to finally get around to ‘putting pen to paper!’ In addition the added impetus has been the arrival of Fran.

I still have no river boat so I have not the opportunity to paddle and rivers since being here. However mine, and Fran’s, creek boats and gear is scheduled to arrive this week after being freighted out form Ireland over 6 weeks ago….so it shouldn’t be too long before we get out on a river or two…even more options to take up time what with kayak surfing and snow sports etc!!

In the meantime I got myself a second hand playboat to use in the surf, which is working on a consistent basis; Gissy being one of the prime spots in NZ for surf.  Although the playboat was (and is) lots of fun in the surf I decided to get a proper surf kayak and managed to get my hands on a Random Evolution Surf Kayak from Australia. When Fran arrived we also managed to get a Tsunami Waveski  for her to use.

Now Fran’s here we can start to get some photos and start putting up more posts and more photographs of our adventures in New Zealand, be they on land or water…

Although there are plenty of surfers here, along with the few wave skiers and even fewer surf kayakers there are so many breaks and beaches within a few km’s of Wainui, there is always plenty of wave space for everyone!