Hot and Dry

Hi!
This morning we actually acted like we were on vacation--lazed around and took our time before leaving for a hike. We decided to hike the hills above Blenheim. Blenheim is in the Wauhau Valley--a place of moderate climate on the northeast coast of the South Island. The weather is similar to California and much of the geography is similar to the northern part of California with its dry rolling hills and eucalyptus trees. The valley is home to many vineyards--known primarily for Sauvignon Blanc and other white wines. We began the hike by perusing the track map that was posted beyond some fencing that held a herd of huge dairy cows. I'm not a fan of these big guys--in fact, I am a little scared of them. They are much bigger than ones I've seen in the US--they are around a half ton and stand quite tall. I took my walking stick for a little protection--ha ha.
The path began up a gentle slope lined with Queen Anne's lace, wild anise in yellow bloom, purple statice, orange poppies, many dry and beautiful grasses, century plants, young oak trees, acacia trees, lucerne trees, willows, poplars, young pines, and a variety of eucalyptus trees--one of which was in bloom with small fuchsia flowers. It was hot and dry. The next hour of the hike was up 900 ft by way of long curving switch-backed trails through acres of dry golden grass. The hills were round, tan and golden--punctuated occasionally by some green shrub or stand of eucalyptus that were usually in the folds and creases of the hills. They sky was blue and cloudless. The breeze was warm and dry. As we neared the top, I could feel a cooler breeze and the clouds began to move in to form beautiful moving shadows over the hills. From our vantage point on the ridge, the Pacific Ocean was to our right, the Kaikoura Range behind us, the valley and northern coastal range before us and the continuation of rolling hills and miles of vineyards to our left. When we began our hike, the southwesterly winds were coming from Australia--they are generally warm and gusting. (In fact, last night the winds were clocking in excess of 50mph and knocking down iron patio furniture at our motor lodge. It howled all night long.) We had been told by our hostess that the winds would be changing in about an hour and a half--and boy, was she right.
We were walking the ridge line and in the space of 10 minutes the winds changed--southerly wind from Antarctica, the temperature dropped 20 degrees or more and the gusts accelerated to about 50mph. We knew we had to head down quickly since we did not bring our warm gear. The closest path was straight down--no curves--steep incline on dry grass. With the high winds, the grasses were whipping our bare sunburned legs and stickers poking through our socks and into our boots. It was a fantastic hike for us--reminding us both of California when it was not built out--when as kids, you could build forts and play all day long and never worry about weirdos. The smell of eucalyptus . ....so great.
After lunch Joel promptly took a nap and I did the laundry (sound familiar girls?). We're still hoping to fish tomorrow if the winds die down. The day after that we will return to the Marlborough Sounds and hope to kayak or hike or just get out on the water. We are brown as brown can be. We hear there is snow in Portland and Bend and I am really not looking forward to that--but I am looking forward to being home and seeing loved ones. Talk to you soon. xo L