The Rolling Hills of South Canterbury

We've had a break from the snow and ice today, with me and Mrs H making a trip into Timaru.

Our journey was necessitated by the lack of water at home; we've been under the cosh of a near constant frost, with the mercury plummeting overnight to minus double figures for much of the week. As such our water pipes - both those in the house and those supplying the house from our rainwater tank - have frozen solid. And this is despite them being lagged too. All in all a pretty sorry state of affairs brought on by one heck of a cold snap in the forest.

Luckily, Mrs H's parents in Timaru are there for us, supplying us with jerry cans of water for us to heat on the stove and kettles at home, as well as providing laundry services. Bit of a godsend really.

One thing is for sure - once we're thawed out, I'll be having a detailed look at the pipes and their lagging and reassessing both pipe gauge and the insulation on them. I guess that's the thing when you buy a house in summer, you're never really sure how it's going to perform in winter. Plus we now know what weather we can be faced with here in the forest.

As part of my familiarisation with the new back yard here in South Canterbury, I've made it my mission to return home from Timaru a different way each time. Today's return journey saw us take the route across the other side of the Taiko Valley, up from Levels Valley to the hills before dropping back down into Pleasant Point.

This is the view up above the Taiko Valley, looking up towards the ranges beyond Fairlie. As you can see its a rolling landscape, and in the late afternoon light it is particularly beautiful.

In the extras I've also included an image from the Levels Valley side, looking north towards the Geraldine Downs, Tripps Peak and Mount Peel.

Thanks to all of you who faved, commented and starred the last two days astro pics with the Aurora, and for sending them both to the popular page Hopefully I will eventually get round to replying to all your comments! I'm torn between seeking the solace of a warm duvet and heading out in the cold once more after midnight. We're in the minus temperatures again though...hmm, decisions decisions....