Tongariro River Rafting

Choose to raft the Tongariro River in Turangi with Tongariro River Rafting and you may be one of the last people on earth to clap eyes on the New Zealand native blue duck (whio).
We were among the lucky ones to get close to one of these small whistling birds on a picture-perfect January day during a family float tour of the river.
Tongariro River Rafting guide Mike Dally grew up exploring the Tongariro River and took his sense of adventure with him into a career in the outdoors three years ago.
His love of the job is obvious.
As soon as we make it through the first set of rapids downstream from Blue Pool, Dally calls a casual greeting from the back of the raft.
“Welcome to my office.”
We are joined by a family of five from Noumea, New Caledonia for the morning trip.
Three of the four boys are in awe and raptures as white water grade two rapids usher the boat downriver.
The team soon rallies with multi-lingual whoops and shouts after a quick paddling lesson.
Dally’s knowledge of the Tongariro River, world famous for its rainbow trout fishing, kayaking, rafting, camping, walking, and mountain biking opportunities, is personal and scientific.
The whio we see early on in the trip near the Poutu intake belongs to a species 25 times more endangered than the kiwi.
The New Zealand government’s Department of Conservation awarded Tongariro River Rafting a special accolade in 2009 for its work protecting the whitewater habitat of the whio.
It deserves many more accolades from happy rafters, from child novices to experienced locals, this year.
In a word: terrific.

Martians Defeated

Fresh from the battlefield, CORTFBC war correspondent wipes the blood from her index finger to type this exclusive report.
A border skirmish at Victory Park today (December 31, 2007 earthtime) rendered alien forces inoperative.
The strike by water and air at Oamaru harbour categorically eliminated any threat from Mars.
Pacifist warfare bystander and Killing As Organised Sport (KAOS) spokesman Scott Barnes, of Blenheim, was on the field for an interview (see above photo).
He reported use of biological and germ warfare.
When asked for a description of the state of mind required to maim, wound and generally munt Martian ass until foam string and curious ooze was seen spurting in a sticky mess onto the grass, he offered the following: "It feels pretty choice. It makes me feel better about myself when I see people hurt."
His explanation for this trigger-fingering malaise?
"I've got a fidgeting disorder."
KAOS also threatened to granny pash Alf's Imperial Army, Earth's defenders.
Little did Scott Barnes know, the true grannies of the battlefield, Brownie HydeRangers, were typically the most organised.
HydeRanger medical corpses (SUBS NOT SPELLING) militated against the Martians in a ruthless display of efficiency almost unbecoming in women of a certain age.
Brownies (see above photo, showing left to right Jay and Frances MacMillan, Oliver Briggs, brownie butler Tobias Trout, Tom Muir, AnneMarie Liesbeth, and brown owl Donna Demente) were valiantly (SUBS NOTE ACCURACY ERROR: Brown owl drives a Merc) engaged in the heroic distribution of emergency cups of tea to wounded and dying imperial forces.
The HydeRangers' medical station dispatched of each flailing and shaking machine shuddering in its death throes with vigour.
For piety's sake and reasons of brevity, we'll let the last word rest with the Martians.
Shortly before its gruesome putdown, a Martian was heard begging for leniency.
In a fine display of extraterrestrial cunning, it appealed to Alfs and earthlings thus: "Actually I'm only one-sixth Martian. I'm registered on the Martian electoral role."
A Martian charge followed and the selfsame creature was heard crying, "Don't eat them all. Save some for me."

Notes from the Red Sheds

Spring has arrived in the Oamaru harbour with a pleasant vengeance.
There are two bellbirds frequenting the rampant, volunteer flowering currant bush which takes up one side of my shed, occasionally piercing the air with their distinctive song, and a pair of little blue penguins have established an early nest in the blacksmith's shop next door using wood shavings from my floor to line the nest leaving a trail of said shavings all over the floor of the forge - ah, the trials of life in the harbour, having to sweep up after horny penguins.
Wedding parties appear at weekends led by frenetic photographers to utilise rustic sheds and my pennyfarthing as picturesque backdrops, recreational fishers jostle in the mornings to launch their vessels for a morning at sea, locals drive, walk and cycle by on their regular excursions to see what's happening or just to relax by the sea.
Harbour to Ocean restaurant (H2O, or Cross Wharf cafe as I prefer to call it) is back in business after a winter recess and the usual stream of tourists cruise up to the penguin viewing centre.
Oliver Briggs is chipping happily away at his Oamaru stone sculptures in the red sheds and two other winter emigrants are back in their respective residences now that the weather is warmer.
The former woolstore buildings nearby which are mooted as private apartments await the decision of the Environment Court.
It is scheduled to hear the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust's appeal against the granting of a resource consent to allow this.
And also of great significance for harbour lovers is the advertising by the Waitaki District Council (WDC) of the long-awaited Waitaki District Plan Change 4/Variation 9 and Plan Change 5 - Oamaru Harbour.
(Doesn't that title just fill you full of enthusiasm to start reading what will no doubt be gripping prose?!)
These immediately take partial effect upon advertising, or have to be taken into consideration when the WDC is dealing with consent applications, but are subject to alteration through the public submission process which closes in November.
The changes will determine how the harbour develops this century and it is important that as many people submit as possible - we want to get this right.
The changes are available on the WDC website, or from the WDC building in Oamaru.
- By Bill Blair

A Chip Off the Old Block

Although he's carved only two Oamaru stone pieces since his arrival in April, Oamaru harbour's newest artisan, Oliver Briggs, is already carving a name for himself.
The 21-year-old moved to Oamaru on a whim after encountering Oamaru limestone in his hometown of Whakatane.
So far he's enjoying the solitude at the harbour.
His workshop is near Bill Blair's and was formerly occupied by Michelle Beaufoy (see earlier posts).
"I suppose I like the abandonedness of it - not having to talk to other people. It is nice to be left alone there," he laughs at the inherent irony, given our interview was arranged at the harbour.
But Oliver considers he is in good company.
"It's nice to have other people around such as Bill, David (Kilgour, postmodern apprentice bootmaker) and Slim (Hurring, harbour idler)."
The harbour is a stepping stone for Oliver in more ways than one.
His artistic aspirations don't stop at local limestone, which is sourced from Parkside Quarries.
He is also stretching out the hand of creativity to oil painting, and has impressed the locals at Fight Club with the depth and breadth of his musical knowledge.
Among them is established painter Donna Demente, whose investment nous led her last week to buy one of Oliver's first Oamaru-made works.
Not bad for a few months' work.

Great Southern Hemisphere Coracle Race 2007

The crew of The Coracle Oracle
announces its purpose
to race boats in a morning-long circus
from Friendly Bay.
But not today.

Just think "follicle"
and you'll find in the murk'est
shallows of Oamaru Harbour
our proud boats, our town, even our workers
racing coracles from 9 a.m.

The date is December second. So cut the trim
shear the wind lose the sail and join in!

It's not horrible.
You'll find us incorrigible.

Picture (Bill Blair) : John Baster photographed recently on Oamaru Harbour secretly practising for the great coracle races this year.