It was a picture-perfect day at Apiti on the 25^th April - just ideal for celebrating another ANZAC day. There seemed to be a record turnout, including the medic-division of Linton Army, Airforce representatives, RSA members, Mayor Margaret Kouvelis, Apiti School children, Feilding Scottish Pipe Band and present and past residents. To top it off Brendon Deere flew over in his restored Spitfire giving a characteristic wave as he left Apiti. His timing was perfect arriving immediately after the gun salute.

This is not exactly the Country Road, but we from the Iron Gates Experience ventured down to the lower Manawatu at the end of March to view the 75^th Ohakea Air Display. We arrived in Feilding at 8am to catch the bus, but that had already left. So off we went to Ohakea, and after traveling at snail’s pace for well over an hour and a half we arrived just as The Hawker Hunter was taking off across the skies. What a way to start a display!

It is amazing who, at short notice, turns up at your door - two enthusiastic cyclists(no less), who started cycling from Bluff with Cape Reinga as their final destination. And all for the good cause of raising awareness and funds for World Vision.

It was amazing to be part of the Manawatu Cycleway, with part of the route traveling The Iron Gates Experience. To see over 30 cyclists start off from Mangaweka  and head for the inland hills towards Rangiwahia was something else. Warren Jones and I had a great time taking heaps of photos some of which are on Janet's Blog. On the way they were offered refreshments from Virginia Travers (Mt. Huia Homestay) and a friendly welcome as they cycled past David & Sue Sweet's Mairenui Rural Retreat.

Recently our son Pete and his German girl friend Anna tramped into the Ruahines where they spotted a family of Blue Ducks on the upper Oroua River. It was quite a thrill for them both, especially for Anna, as it was the first time she had seen a Blue Duck. They watched them for sometime taking several photos and enjoying watching them swimming against the rapids. They noted that the adults were very protective of their young. They were difficult to spot because they were camoflagued against the rocks. It is great to know that the Blue Duck is surviving in its natural habitat and this has to be a result of the Blue Duck/Stoat Trap Project.

This is an update on the new track to the Iron Gates Gorge. We were told that the track entrance was easily missed so our friend made a new sign, as in the photograph, and after erecting it we went for a walk along the new Stoat Trap Track.

BREAKING NEWS! A new track has been formed leading to the Iron Gates Gorge. Previously trampers had to walk down the Oroua River crossing it several times to view the Gorge. When the Oroua river was too difficult to cross trampers had to walk across private land and down a ridge. Permission from the landowner was needed allowing only limited access.

What a widespread snowfall! Even ½ cm fell in Feilding. Up here between Rangiwahia and Apiti we had 12” (30cms), but that wasn’t as big as the snowfall we had exactly 10 years ago when we had 18”. The photo was taken on Sunday 21st and is the road to Rangiwahia Track and Hut via Renfrew Road.

Steve & I have been down Southland visiting some of the family. Our eldest & youngest sons both work on Mt. Linton Station just west of Ohai, which used to be an open cast coal mine and was closed down last year. So we missed the cold and snow in the northern Manawatu, but we certainly didn’t miss out altogether. It snowed down there and was it cold!

This is my first blog -hardly knew what the word meant not long ago. Steve & I live on Main South Road, which links Rangiwahia and Apiti –of which 8 kms is unsealed. We have been doing submissions to the Manawatu District Council for several years now and quite honestly getting rather tired of doing them.