So on May 23 2010 Mike P made a successful ascent of Mt Everest. Now I know us Club members summit stuff all the time but to Aunty Rata this sounded like a good story. I was even prepared to fly out to Kathmandu in order to interview Mike but the newsletter editor said his … Read more
Or what to do when the river is too high to get the vans across After our Tasman Mixed and Mingled trip, we had a few hours to wait while the Bushend Creek subsided enough to get our vans through it. Although the weather was dry and the sun was trying to keep us warm, a brew was … Read more
With Aunty Rata Namaste people. Hope you are keeping warm. Congratulations to Michael Phethean who climbed Everest on May 23. Aunty Rata is delighted for him and I’m sure the rest of you are too. When someone realises a dream it is time for a smile, a salute and to be thankful that it didn’t … Read more
Navigation tips from Marie Henderson Aunty Rata (who knows I get lost more regularly than most) asked if I had any tips to share on navigation. Although the newsletter is not the place to learn a practical skill like navigation and there are lots of great written resources already that people can read, here are … Read more
with Aunty Rata Ki Ora fellow trampers. Of all the carbs you can base your dinner meal around pasta seems to slide down the most easily. This is my excuse for giving you another pasta recipe this month. I often make this recipe at home as well as in the hills because it is great … Read more
with Aunty Rata Ki Ora fellow trampers. I hope you managed to get outdoors to enjoy adventures in our conservation estate over the Easter and school holiday period. The government has finally made public its proposals to open up more conservation estate to mining. John Key reckons New Zealanders are evenly divided on this issue. … Read more
with Aunty Rata March is Aunty Rata’s favourite month of the year. The weather is at its best and passion fruit are in season. What more can an old bird want? Well maybe a few seeds! This month I have a recipe for you that features nuts and seeds. Yes I know, at first blush … Read more
Dear Aunty Rata So lovely to see recipes appearing again in our newsletter and that you are being the Aunt Daisy of WTMC for those a little scared of anything culinary. Your attribution of a lovely Moroccan couscous to me was flattering but I have to admit the version is not mine -though a very … Read more
The North Island is still didymo free, so it is timely to remind your members that the “Check Clean Dry” process is still vitally important in keeping the North Island didymo free. With the rapidly approaching Easter break, being a traditional time for South Island trips, I would like to draw your attention to some … Read more