Skiing trip to Round Hill***

I can hear the grating of my skis carving though the snow.
I can see the slope wizzing past me as I descent like a bullet.
I can smell the fresh crisp air burning my teeth when I inhale.
I can taste the snow melting in my mouth after I took a mouthful
I can feel the wind whipping my face causing tears in me eyes.

The Kepler track***

Information

According to DOC classifications the Kepler track is a 60km loop. It will take you 3-4 days and is made for intermediate walkers. (Click here for more information.) The track goes across tussic and bush. It has great views of Lake Te Anau. You can go explore the Luxmore Caves at Luxmore hut and go to the Iris Burn Falls at Iris Burn Hut. If you feel up for it you can walk to rainbows reach from Moturau. The seasonal restrictions this year in the Great Walks season are 24th October 2017 - 30th April 2018. Outside the Great Walks season is 4th May 2017 - 23rd October 2017. Mt luxmore peak is the Kepler track’s highest point reaching 1,472 M. (Dogs are not allowed on the track.)

My experience

To Luxmore hut

It was a steady climb up to the Luxmore hut. At that point we were going through bush and tussic. Some places it was rocky but most of the track was well formed and easy to Walk on. I was very windy as we came up along the top and I was nearly blown over.

The hut at night creaked in the growing and dying wind. For me it was hard to get to sleep even though I had ear plugs. Eventually I got to sleep.

To Iris Burn hut

To the Iris Burn hut it is a journey along the ridges of Mt Luxmore when we went it was raining and sleeting and the wind was bringing it hard into my face. It stung! I was told by my parents not to go far ahead. Eventually we started going down the mountainside towards the hut.

Nice and peaceful night with good bunks and I slept well.

To Moturau hut

The trip to Moturoa is mostly flat but the are some up and down pieces. Well formed track. It is long but there are some good views along the way. Overall a nice trip.

In the afternoon we ate in a well sized kitchen and slept comfortably.

Trip Home

If you came through our way you could either go right out or come out at Rainbows Reach. We decided to go out Rainbows Reach which is shorter. Once we finished I thought about our walk. I thought that it was definitely worth it. It had great huts, well made tracks and excellent views.

Ranginui and Papatuanuku***

One time long long ago papatuanuku and ranginui were holding each other.
Tane Mahuta mahuta wanted more space to play and run around. He told the other gods they all agreed. Except one. This was Tafiti mafia so he went to his father, Ranginui, and warned him. Ranginui clung on to Papatuanuku wrapping his arms around her tighter. Tane mahuta got sick of waiting for all the other gods to push so he started without them. He heaved and pushed, but as hard as he tried it wasn't enough. Tane mahuta fell to his knees. The other gods pushed as well but eventually they too fell to their knees. Tane mahuta did not give up and with one mighty push he made a little gap in between his parents and this gave him determination. With one last push he separated them completely. Their wails almost made the other gods want to stop tane mahuta. But as they looked over the horizon they saw what they could create in the space and the fell in love with it instantly.

Ranginui started crying and the gods were worried that he would never stop. With sadness in their eyes the gods pulled on the long hair Papatuanuku turning her head over so that Ranginui couldn't see her face. Papatuanuku curled up into a ball and created the land Ranginui’s tears became the lakes, rivers and the sea. After a while Ranginui and Papatuanuku forgave tane mahuta and the other god for that they had done even though Ranginui sometimes cries. Tafiti mafia never forgave them and every now and then he will blow winds signaling that he is still angry.


Papatuanuku = earth mother ☘️☘️
Ranginui = sky father ⛈
Tane mahuta = god of forest ☘️
Tafiti mafia = god of wind ☁️

The storm dog***

The storm raged around us. Me,my dog Lightning, my mum and dad all huddled together on the top floor as the wind howled and shook the house. Rain pelted against the windows. The storm coked up a knot he and a tornado appeared. “Quick to the basement,” yelled dad. The tornado ripped the house apart. The only thing left was the basement. I looked around. Where was storm? “He must of ran outside when we came down here,” said dad as in reading my thoughts.
“Oh no, poor dog.”

Three hours later we push our way outside. The town is a mess. Houses ripped apart, trees uprooted cars toppled, even the park was destroyed. Out from under the slide came a bark a very familiar bark. It was Lightning! “Lightning.” “Come here boy, we aren't going to hurt you.” But he didn't come. Eventually lightning came out. He had adsorbed the storm and it was swirling round in his fir. “I told you lightning was special,” said mum. “He's saved us all.”     Mum had tears in her eyes she was so happy.

After many trips to the vet, we figgered that there was nothing to do about Lightning's condition. All we know is that he is very special but could be dangerous so we put him down.

 We went back to the man that sold him to us and got four puppies. One was brown with black spots and straw kind of hair, She was called earth, one was white with grey spots and wavy fur, She was called waves, one was white with curly hair, She was called wind and the last dog was black and red with slick straight hair he was called flame. The man said don't ever them go in their element like storm. So for Flame don't let him near an open fire, for Wind didn't take her in the air. For Waves don't let her in the water and for Earth don't let him dig holes.