Camping at Xmas

23.12.2006

Greetings all, we're trying out a new way to keep you updated on our idylls here in NZ as we want to migrate from Yahoo given their reprehensible behavior in regards China and their pursuit of the almighty dollar over ethics. Besides, our pictures don't seem to show up anymore so if this works Yahoo is going to get the heave-ho.

Season's Greetings, all!
We are here in New Zealand celebrating our first Boxing Day, which appears to be just another excuse to go shopping. Having boycotted the whole "gifting" idea this year, we spent the past two days camping with Phillip and Verena at French Pass, a stunning (I know I have used that word too much) area of high mountains, deep sounds and happy clouds bouncing around between them.
French Pass itself is a narrow spot between the mainland and d'Urville Island which was, at one time, completely closed off by a reef hiding just under water at high tide. As the story goes, some French guy in a big boat tried to get through it (going around the island was apparently too much trouble for him) but got caught in the incredibly strong tidal current and was nearly wrecked. At the last moment, the ship popped over the reef and through to the other side, ensuring the captain's fame and getting the island named after him.
Now, about a third of the reef has been removed making a narrow channel where the water whirls and churns as the tide flows. We went through it several times in Phil's boat... very exciting! It tossed and turned us and bounced us every which way.
At one point we spotted a pod (I think that's what you'd call it) of about 50 or 60 dolphins heading through the pass. They leaped and cavorted all around us, fishing as they went. We got some decent photos, though that was not easy. They moved fast!
We also saw penguins and seals and lots of blue cod, as hauled into the boat by Captain Phil, who is a crackerjack fisherman and guide. The weather was perfect, the food excellent and the wine flowed freely. All in all, a wonderful first Kiwi holiday. Take a gander at our photos... if you have trouble viewing them, do a search for Yahoo Photos and type in "Susan43623" where you shouldn't have any trouble finding all 23 of our photo albums. Happy Haradays!
Love, Sue