By Aunty Rata Kia ora fellow trampers Snacks are very important on tramps and when engaging in other outdoor activities where shops are not close at hand. Nobody gets very far on an empty stomach. There are a few obvious things to take into account when choosing tramping snacks. Snacks need to be tasty, nutritious, … Read more
By Aunty Rata Kia ora fellow trampers I hope you managed to eat your fill of Easter eggs and hot cross buns over the holiday weekend. For some time Aunty Rata has been promising advice on baking the legendary Tararua biscuit. There are several reasons for the delay. First, I am rubbish at baking so … Read more
With Aunty Rata I like to run, always have done. As a child growing up on a dairy farm characterised more by rolling hills than flat pastures us kids were supplementary cattle dogs albeit rather more obedient than the actual dogs. The reward for our athletic efforts was getting to sleep in the house rather … Read more
with Aunty Rata Kia Ora and happy new year Wasn’t it nice to get the Club Journal just before Xmas? Felt like an extra special present and if like Aunty Rata you were struggling to squeeze in a few fun trips into the hills between all those heavy rain warnings, you probably had a bit … Read more
with Aunty Rata Kia ora fellow trampers The end of the year is nigh and my focus on sharing recipes with you is also starting to wane. Mostly this is because thanks to the efforts of Megan Sety, Illona Keenan, Kevin Cole, Amanda Wells, Steve Austin and the rest of the team the Club now … Read more
with Aunty Rata Greetings fellow trampers, I hope you made the most of the great Labour weekend weather to be had everywhere but Wellington! The bank holidays or as we Kiwi’s call them long weekends are traditionally very busy for the Club, particularly for trip leaders who often find themselves with big groups of people … Read more
with Aunty Rata Buongiorno trampers Aunty Rata has a soft spot for Italian food although it would be fair to say that pasta aside; it can be a little tricky to produce good quality stuff in the field. On the other hand, if you practice at home first, there is no reason why you can’t … Read more
Hi fellow trampers Sometimes it is nice to have a bit of fun and frivolity with food you take into the hills. Dessert is the perfect time to give your fun muscles a work out because even if the dish doesn’t quite work out everyone should be reasonably full after the main course. When looking … Read more
with Aunty Rata Kia Ora trampers. Doesn’t that snow on the Tararuas look great not to mention the snow on the Ruahines? Not much snow at Whakapapa yet but good dumps on the southern and eastern slopes of the big R and some of the ice climbing routes are looking like they may actually get … 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