The erratic weather, which has been good lately, caught up with us on Friday. Off we went to climb Mount Coronet in the rain, which was light enough to make it an acceptable outing. However, the mist came in strongly, more likely fog, and the thought of being lost on a mountain was not appealing. Pity! We were keen to hike before we head for the four-day bush sojourn beginning Monday. As our Rabbi often says around this time of the year: ‘Light your menorah in the public domain and publicize the miracle.’ We intend following his advice at Milford Sound, considered the premier tramp in New Zealand.
Where are all the sheep? Certainly, not following us around. There were times as we climbed the slopes that the advantage of another pair of legs, especially a goat's, would have been most welcome. On our last hike, where we were confronted by the incredible alps at Dewar Peak, we tracked along the ‘droppings’ of the animals. In fact, towards the summit, the place was very well covered without an animal about. We realize this is a productive means of fertilizing the soil which caused us to ponder...again. As much as we appreciate human hygiene, we're pleased sheep haven't demanded bathroom tissue to complete their process. Imagine what the countryside would look like.
Maude and Theo Alge, a couple whom we have known for fifty years, have been an inspiration to us in our early years and particularly, over the recent past, asked about the indigenous names. “You ain’t seen nothing yet”. In this part of the world, the names are mostly English and Scottish, Nurse Anne J. However, last year when we visited, particularly on North Island, they came upon us fast and furiously—Whakapapa, Takapuna, Whangaparao, Waiwera, Matakana, Pakiri Tutukaka … Remember that ‘wh’ is sounded as an ‘f’. If you’re going to try and pronounce them, make sure you lock yourself in the bathroom first.
We are leaving Queenstown after eleven nights and heading for Te Anau, the closest town to Milford. We are very comfortable having hot showers daily, sleeping in a snug, soft bed but roughing it during the day. However, our editor must think we are going ‘soft’. To this end, we are packing our clothes, toiletries, food and sleeping bags together and carrying them on our backs for four days. We will not bath, shave or shower during that period. We ask you: Are we unreasonable when we think our editor may have gone a ‘little over the edge’? What are we going to do without television and Nintendo, too? Fortunately, she is going to explain to us later why this tramp will be a rewarding experience. We are all ears.
To those celebrating Chanukah, “Chanukah sameach” and shavua tov. Have a great week!
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
PS Mazel tov to the Saks family on Caron's marriage; the Laiken family on Hannah's marriage; the Goldshmidt family on Joanne's marriage and the Wohlgelernter family on Rina's bat mitzvah. What a delightful period!
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