The Untimely Demise of Bamboo Barry

Mt Cook was gone this morning. Low grey clouds hid all trace of the glaciers above us and the temperature was distinctly wintery. There were no spectacular views. Today Mt Cook village was just the end of a valley - there was no trace to be seen of the mountains that make this place famous.

Even if there had been, could barely move anyway - a rest day was needed! Stiff limbs and an adrenaline hangover were ensuring a leisurely start to the day, so I began it by partaking in the family tradition of doodling with words while I woke up a bit. Here's what I came up with:

An ode to the recent and untimely demise of Bamboo Barry the Surfboard.

It was a short life, lived well, by 'Barry ST',

A champion in the waves, of New Zealand was he. 

With his shiny red bottom and bamboo top trim, 

He knew in the shop that I'd surely pick him. 

Standing out from the 'white boards' of classic design,

This fella was classy - ahead of his time.

In fact, 'go faster red', with the wooden veneer,

Makes he rider quite manly, astute and sincere.

Pick me Mr Ian, I'm the board for your trip; 

Grab a leash and some wax and let's get out and rip!

There are waves to be had, so let's go have some fun, 

In the sea that's so clear with this bright summers sun.

At Raglan we bonded and I caught our first ride; 

With Clare whooping with us, right there by my side.

Many days we did share, on a clean glassy wave; 

Blue skies above surf, are a memory to save.

Then sadly, the cruising all came to an end, 

With a slow crushing feeling that's too deep to mend.

Caught between van and the firmest of ground, 

The fight it was over, in only one round!

Stashed safe for the night, between van and the floor,

We should have remembered, when we stepped out the door.

A slow bit of movement was all that it took,

As the engine was started, we'd forgotten to look. 

A slip of the clutch, as the hand brake releases,

And poor Bamboo Barry, will rest now in pieces.

What was left of the morning, we spent in the Mt Cook visitors centre. It's an amazing place, full of mountain historica and geological artefacts, which compared to most of these kinds of places, was bright, spacious, well designed with displays that were informative as well as fascinating.

One thing that really caught my eye was an old black and white photo of the area. Compare the size of the glaciers with the photo I took yesterday!

The weather was due to stay cold up in the mountains, so we drove back down the road to Twisel, where we stocked up on supplies and after trying to check emails outside we eventually found a smattering of wifi at a little cafe, where we rested in the warmth on comfy seats. When we re-emerged into the outside world, the sun was returning, and with it the expected temperatures. 

We drove over to the azure Lake Pukuri, picniced in the sun, stretched and rested...