Although Christine and I didn't quit we weren't confident enough of our riding skills to take the camera along. The result was that our first photos are take at dusk, by Christine, as the last of the riders rode in. Unfortunately the photos did not turn out too well. However the following two do give some idea of the terrain and the riders.
The following group of five riders is thought to include Debbie Knapp (others please identify yourselves) photo
Belowis a photo of Ken (wearing the ubiquitous yellow jacket) on his trusty steed Josh. Josh, a mare of 30 years has seen better days. However, here she is on the WWW, something she now brags to her stall neighbours about! Josh and I had some differences in philosophy. She (probably being older and wiser) wanted to stick to the trodden path. I always try to avoid the trodden path. Our compromise consisted of us being last in the group on both legs of the journey.
Not visible is the English saddle -- something most of we Americans were not used (particularly as we were frantically grabbing onto the saddle as we cantored up and down hills, some of which are discernable in this photo).
Hills! That is an understatement. Apparently about 70% of New Zealand has terrain that is described as "steep". While most of us had ridden before, most of us had not ridden on slopes of 45 degrees or more in rough country. Certainly an interesting experience! I have concluded that a trip to New Zealand is like attending a confidence building course.
A highlight of the ride was a view of Cook Strait and the mountains of the South Island. It was amazing to be within 10 miles of Wellington and to ride for a couple of hours without seeing roads, cars or other people. As it darkened there were no lights to be seen -- a feeling of complete isolation and great relaxation. I found the terrain reminded me very much of the hills around Lisbon in Portugal--similar kinds of hills and vegetation
First, here is a photo of Christine, another member of the group and the trusty dog: photo
In the next photo Tammy and Paul attempt to outdo each other with their tales of bravado on the trail: photo
Next we see a photo of a very serious group of debaters: Dan (Pauline's husband), Don Chipman, Pauline Giddens, Doug and Debbie Knapp. photo
The last part of the evening was the ride back to the base from the lodge; this done about midnight in pitch black. Fortunately, it appeared that the horses had known the way. We arrived back at our apartment about 12:30 in the morning.
The next morning we were a little late getting up, but were soon on the road again, on our way to Martinborough. This is a community about an hour and a half drive from Wellington in a NE direction. Martinborough is best known for its wines, which according to the local marketing literature are world renowned.
The first two photos were taken at the top of the pass as we moved over the hills from the Hutt valley into the Wairarapa country. The stop at the top has a plaque commemorating the first passage by white men, accompanied by their Maori guides in 1861. As near as I can tell the current road was built on their trail -- you can see it snaking up the valley in this next photo. Notice the steepness of the hills and the depth of the valley. This is taken looking back towards the Hutt valley.
In the next photo, taken in the same location, the camera is pointed in the other direction pointing towards the valley we are headed for. photo
After the success of the ride the night before, Christine felt an intimate kinship with all horses. Here she is talking with a horse in Martinborough. Notice the complete change in terrain in this and the next photo: the ground is flat. photo
One of the interesting things about New Zealand is the cleanliness and the good state of repair of buildings. This is a photo on the main street of Martinborough. The architecture of the buildings is very typical of the towns that we have seen so far in the country. (this is a proper image -- cars are driven on the left side of the road in NZ). photo
