NZ Day3 Lost our way!

Based on instruction on the map (which is also our driving guide), we had to cross a river after passing Oxford before we will reach a junction, where we need to make a right turn in the direction toward Arthurs pass. However, after passing a river and traveling for a long while, we didnt come to any junction! Panicking, we decided to turn back to Oxford to retrace our way.

There was this interesting toilet signage we saw at Oxford when we made a stop: Hen = Female ; Roster = Male

We seeked direction from the isite located inside Oxford library, and we received the same direction instruction as the map, plus a word "Good Luck". At that moment, I really wished we had GPS on the car.

Evelyn enjoying herself in the library

However, the "luck" from the isite people at the library did not work. We still did not spot any obvious junction after retraceing our way several times around Oxford! Feeling desprate, we drove into the nearest farm from where we were and asked for guidance! As usual, while daddy is away (asking for direction), I started to snap pictures of Evelyn who was apparently having a good mood and happily doing different positions for the camera.

So what went wrong? It was because we are yet to past the river! What we had passed is just a small stream. The "real" river - Waimakariri River, which we eventually reached after we drove for at least another 10 minutes from where we were. Godness! A river over the Gorge bridge...

Our little pinic at the Gorge (with apples)

A few more pictures before we go... Oh I must not forget to mention that in this pretty deserted place, there is a very CLEAN toilet (with hand soap and toilet paper)!

And this is the junction, how could anyone miss this!

NZ Day3 Goodbye to Petes farm

Early in the morning, Evelyn woke up and all she wanted to do is to play with Tobby! Well, Tobby boy has to go to school, and his granny had a hard time making him changed out of his pyjamas. Finally Tobby's dad came, and Tobby got changed and dashed out of the house. No chance to bid farwell. All these while, Evelyn did not know that she will not get to play with Tobby again.

A short clip of Tobby and Evelyn playing Catch ME if you Can!

Finally, its time to get onto the road. Goodbye Gayes and thanks for being such a nice host.

Another family photo... A last look at the farm and more photos...

Moving on, the sky was getting dark and groomy. At that moment, we have no idea that the rain will be following us all the way to Greymouth (or did it come from the west coast?) And we also have no idea that we will be losing our way shortly.

Petes Farm @ Rangiora

Once we reached the farm, our host Peter helped us gear up for farming. But there arent any boot of size for Evelyn!
Daddy will have to carry her.

First upclose experience with sheep. Before Shearing.....

During Shearing

After shearing....

A clip of sheep run into the field..

We also have a chance to see cows squeezing into one single cage! Peter told us that these cows were sold to someone who were to feed them up before selling them to the market. I think there are easily more than 10 cows..... There was this last one which refused to go into the cage, but he did not have much of a choice.. Pretty inhuman.. hmmm no beef for a while?

Sun is setting soon. Before we moved back into the house, we were brought to see a "sheep gathering" by the sheep dog.

See.. Evelyn can do what a sheep dog do! Watch her!

1 ... 2 ... 3 !

I am coming!!!

Ops... scattered instead of gathered!
Not forgetting, we must take a family photo with sheep before we leave!

That night we had a wonderful seafood dinner prepared by Gayes, with 4 other housemates, a couple from Hong Kong, a Brit and an Aust. Once again, I forgot to take any picture until the dinner is over!

And the sky was filled with stars at night, but it was too freezing cold that I ran into the house once I took a glance at the sky and not coming out again to take an camera shot. As for Evelyn, she was playing with Tobby (not sure if this is the right spelling) whole night, and enjoying herself refusing to go to bed until I asked if she want her milk.

NZ Day2 Sumner & Rangiora

Today we made a short drive out to Sumner before moving on to Rangiora for our farmstay.

As usual, Evelyn is the first to awake. I took some pictures of her while daddy packed our luggages into our rented hunchback Mazda.

Suprisingly, today we encountered our first jam in New Zealand. I thought people said there arent much cars on the NZ roads. So it wasnt true after all!

Gosh... see what is this girl doing along the side of the road?
Finally we reached Sumner, a place full of sand and sunshine!We couldnt find a shady spot on the beach, and had to sit under a nearest tree. Really pathetic! A short clip of Evelyn walking on the grass....

Making our way speedily to Rangiora, we reached around 2pm. We walked around the town centre and wanted to have Fish and Chips for lunch, but too bad its closed (or yet to open)!We passed by the Gingerbread house and take a picture with the Gingerbread man! A pinky pig with chubby cheek, just like me!

We had some fun in the park before going off...

Evelyn couldnt get enough of the swing...