Southern Katipo and a house warming

In anticipation of the beginning of this massive military exercise in our area, Timaru now called Mainlandier, we got up early on Saturday to see the HMNZS Canterbury and two other navy ships out in the bay in front of our window! We watched two landing craft transport various troops and vessels ashore - to take over the port from the baddies. A large French helicopter did a pretty close low fly by our balcony as well.

After a couple of hours fun we headed to a place north of the Waimakariri river for a house warming. We went through the Rakaia Gorge where we lunched and then stopped at the Waimak. Gorge for a look. Both are awesome and the rivers such grand examples of NZ braided rivers. The photos are at the Waimak. Gorge.

Late afternoon we arrived at Rebekah and Ryans house and 10 acres. Their first property purchase and a very good one. We had our own power site complete with power cable already in situ!

And it was Rebekahs birthday. They all got up early while I slept in - very easy in the van! She got her pressie before heading off to the market with extended family who also stayed the night.

Stephen and I left and returned the same route with a detour into Methven which I hadn't been in to since mega skiing trips in the 70s and 80s!! Could only recognise the Blue and the Brown pubs...
We stopped at the back of Timaru Airport beside the runway to see what planes we could see - here for Southern Katipo. A hercules landed and took off and 4 huge helicopters flew in in formation. The airport was surrounded by soldiers, who camp out etc - having taken control of the airport from the baddies! After a couple of hours we headed home and now we want to see a Globemaster land and without knowing when, we take pot luck on checking out the airport.