Oming in Otago

Hannah and Suzi hamming it up.

Near a small town a few miles from Queenstown, love those fall colors.

Elephant Rocks on our way to Oamaru.

These ladies spun their own yarn before knitting hats and scarves.

We have been having a great time here in Otago Region about 6 km from the wonderful city of Oamaru. The couple we met in Manipauri own a huge dairy farm, along with tons of land. Bruce Gray comes from one of the oldest farming families in New Zealand, and we have learned so much local history. Kristi is originally from Christchurch, spent a bit of time in Australia, and has been in this area for about nine years. She has three kids, the youngest one, Brittney, is a senior in high school, her middle daughter, Haley, has a 10 mo. old daughter and lives in Nelson, and her oldest son, Byron, is at the University in Dunedin studying to be a doctor. Bruce's kids all work for the farm, and we have met all three of them in the last couple of days.  




Lyndon ( in scull cap) closing in for the kill.



If you look closely you can see the ball on the ground under all those guys.

The first night here, David went out with Lyndon hunting for rabbits (a real bunny hunter!) and he had a great time, returning home around midnight. His daughter and her family live in the old family home up the road, and yesterday we watched Jeff, the oldest son, play rugby against Lyndon, his youngest; that was really fun. We then ended up in the town of Oamaru and went to Kristi and Bruce's old city house which is being rented on the website of "bookabach." (Look it up online....Otago and then Oamaru...) It is a cool old home and we stayed there last night since it was not being rented. We visited the Old Town pub, walked down to see the little blue penguins, found a bite to eat at a wine-tasting bar, and strolled our way back to the home. 

After sleeping in the honeymoon suite, David and I woke up this morning to a brilliant golden lit sky welcoming us to a new day. Kristi drove us all southwest toward Dunedin area to go riding some awesome horses with Paul Robinson, the National Champion Bronco Rider of New Zealand. I was honored to ride his favorite "pick-up" horse and David rode another fiesty pretty horse as well. Paul and his sweet girlfriend took us on about an hour ride on the land next to his and we felt so privileged; it reminded us of fond ranch ride memories, and Paul, if he tries to ride in the Salinas rodeo, will be heartedly welcomed by the Gabilan Ranch crew. All the horse people in this area know each other, of course, and I felt right at home. 

David, Paul, Suzi and Ashley after our ride.

Think it was cold in the Doubtful Sound area ?

Bruce telling the "mower" what to cut next.

I got to ride along; that machine had all the whistles and horns you could imagine.

Suzi and I were honored to ride with Paul and Ashley.

The saddle Paul won as the National Saddle Bronc Riding Champion.



Inside Paul's ranch house with Kristi, Bruce and Ashley.



Paul's prized belt buckles

Cowboy Dave and sidekick Suzi ....

Jeff applying the milkers to the cows.

On our way back home, we visited other warm people, and stopped in Oamaru one more time to ride the old-time bicycles called penny farthings. Kristi is the 2000 World Champion Penny Farthing Rider. Our pictures will tell the story of our incredible time here. We are leaving for the northwest area of the South Island tomorrow and it is time for dinner, so I will say good-night. Pictures will be sent to you tomorrow morning after we rise early and go watch the cows be milked. We are so lucky. Good-night for now.  Suzi 

World Champion Kristi in action.

Suzi keeping up with the Pro.

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