Another Stocking and a Half

The fourth installment of Sigrid's stockings has been completed, and I've got a good start on the fifth and final one. I saved the most intricate one until last, but it turns out that it isn't that difficult to knit with two colors at once (I had done a little two-color knitting years ago). I'm really looking forward to seeing all these stockings lined up on the fireplace some day!

South Island, New Zealand

We just returned a couple of days ago from an incredible week on the South Island. The scenery overwhelms you really. It's just like the glossy pictures of New Zealand you see in books and magazines, and you often find yourself thinking that the whole island really is the most beautiful place in the world.

We started in Christchurch and then drove over the Southern Alps to Greymouth on the west coast, the Tasman Sea. Then we went down the coast a bit to the Franz Josef Glacier and Doubtful Sound. We finished the trip by crossing back up to the east coast via Queenstown and ranching country that was reminscent of Montana.

Naturally, we enjoyed the consumer side of being tourists as well! I have several nice samples of New Zealand wool to add to my stash.

Click here for more pictures of our trip!

I'm Getting the New Zealand Thing!

It is indescribably beautiful here. It's sunny and green, and there are always ocean breezes. We just got back from a 3 day sailing cruise on a 72 foot boat in the famous Bay of Islands north of Auckland. I went snorkeling for the first time in my life, and I swam in bays and lagoons with clear turquoise-colored water. We ate fish caught from the sea (smoked, and raw in sushi) and hiked barefoot on grassy islands with stunning views. I now understand the appeal of vacations on warm islands, and I really appreciate being forced to "do nothing" for 3 days. It is not over-stated to say that the trip was life-changing for me!!

Here are a few highlights. The skipper sailed up very close to the "Hole in the Rock" where the water is a dark inky blue-violet color:

The "Hole in the Rock" is behind me in this picture; it looks like a woolly mammoth from a distance.

There were stunning sunsets; this picture was taken from the land looking out into the bay:

We even got lucky and had some dolphins swim with the boat on our last day as we were heading home, and they showed off a bit for us too!

There are a few more pictures here.