Now the Navigational Conundrum
Just to be on the safe side, I carry two compasses. Here they are on the correctly aligned Nelson Lakes map.
Somewhat confusingly, the needle of my de-luxe Recta compass has reversed direction. South is now north! The old Silva back-up compass is about 10 degrees out, and has a serious 'leaning' problem not evident in the photo. Luckily all the paths we have used have been well marked and no compass has been necessary. If it had been, the Recta's 'south' needle would have been the defining 'north' - subject to the 22 degrees adjustment for magnetic north that is needed around here.Moral: If coming to NZ for serious walking ('tramping') requiring navigational aids, buy a compass when you arrive. Apparently Silva and others manufacture their products for specific areas of the world.
On to today, if you are still there!
We hit the coast today and enjoyed a morning coffee at the seaside - very Cornwallish:
The highlight of our journey from Rotorua to Hahei in the Coromandel Peninsula was a lovely walk admiring the railway and relics of the 'gold era' in the Karangahake Gorge. I'll write in more detail in due course, but we explored old battery sites, railway formations, tunnels and bridges, as well as the pretty gorge and waterfalls. The main tunnel is over 1km long - you walk for ages to a pinprick of light in the distance. Shown below is one of the minor tunnels.
With informative interpretation panels, this is a magnificently presented archaeological relic from the early 20th Century. The Talisman Cafe provided an excellent pot of tea and incredible carrot cake, to round off our 2 and a half hour stroll in the sun.Then the day darkened as we headed for Coromandel. After a downpour it brightened again as we approached Hahei and our home for the next two nights, Tatahi Lodge - a very pleasant spot near a lovely beach.
5 comments:
Hi there!
Notchy here, not trying to be anonymous but Google/Blogger won't accept my password but won't tell me how to change it or open a new account!
Anyway, still enjoying your stories. You seem to be having a great time. The variety of the scenery is amazing. A couple of points from recent weeks. Why is it when you meet an Australian in a remote location he is always called Bruce? And I'm with you Martin on the benefits of dry land. As the black sheep of a sea-faring family I've never been comfortable on the water - it moves!
Some titbits of news. We (the great British taxpayers) now all own a little bit of Northern Wreck. Looking forward to our first dividend when you return. UK had it strongest earthquake in decades last week, but if I hear another comment starting "Did the earth move for you...." I'll scream! (R and I slept through it). And in another attempt to make you feel slightly jealous, the UK has just had its sunniest February ever!
See you soon.
Hi Notchy
Sorry to hear of your experience with Google.
But how is your team faring at present?
See you soon.
M&S
Funnily enough, I had a few problems with Google/Blogger not recognising me - managed to sort it out somehow. Just catching up on the Blog after a few days away in Zagreb last week with work.
Hope you are enjoying your 'holiday' now. Skydiving looked terrifying! Look forward to seeing the photos.
Re. Feb 26-28 entry - was the ascent given in COMs for my benefit? If so, thanks!!
Hello Nightbird
Nice to have you back!
Of course the COMs were for your benefit. Who else would understand that code!!!
Hi Martin,
The weather is lousy here so i was reading some of your older posts and i saw with interest this one where you had the compass dilemma.
I never knew that manufacturers made compasses for various regions and i have used mine on a few occasions in the southern hemisphere not realising.
I think it would make a good post on it's own and maybe you could consider raising it. It's a very interesting piece of information and one that people should be aware of.
Thanks
Alan. 13/9/2010
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