tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post6478442187500646676..comments2023-04-01T22:26:20.745+13:00Comments on Musings from Aotearoa: Charlie Meets the RuahinesRuahineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-49333307875447951532008-09-29T22:27:00.001+13:002008-09-29T22:27:00.001+13:00Kia ora Paterika, I see Charlie in me as well, but...Kia ora Paterika,<BR/> I see Charlie in me as well, but most seem to see Tara. It is amazing to observe the pesonalities of our lttle ones emerge. I think your observations are spot on!<BR/>Aroha,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-86548356569000243782008-09-29T22:27:00.000+13:002008-09-29T22:27:00.000+13:00Kia ora Paterika, I see Charlie in me as well, but...Kia ora Paterika,<BR/> I see Charlie in me as well, but most seem to see Tara. It is amazing to observe the pesonalities of our lttle ones emerge. I think your observations are spot on!<BR/>Aroha,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-1311135476972475252008-08-28T05:33:00.000+12:002008-08-28T05:33:00.000+12:00Kia Ora RobbFamily excursions are always so much f...Kia Ora Robb<BR/><BR/>Family excursions are always so much fun. Father and son episodes are always intriquing...and like father knows best. The parental instincts fully at play in this real-life muse...the eagle teaching the young how to fly. Most enjoyable read. Thank you for sharing your family experience. Charlie looks so very much like you as I see in the pictures. May the joys of your family never stop.Paterika Hengreaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09296611217840599396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-33052433773335862442008-06-26T16:01:00.000+12:002008-06-26T16:01:00.000+12:00Kia ora MB, Cheers for that. I was just by your pl...Kia ora MB,<BR/> Cheers for that. I was just by your place and saw your new post, and as usual it made me both ponder and smile. <BR/>Rangimarie,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-6222354420364153202008-06-26T15:15:00.000+12:002008-06-26T15:15:00.000+12:00Tena koe HWHL, Yes they are indeed the Maori salu...Tena koe HWHL,<BR/> Yes they are indeed the Maori salutations. I find it a beautiful and flowing language and I am endeavouring to undertake learning it in a more fluent way. There is a bit of information about the Maori relationship to the land in my first efforts at posting should you wish to check it out. Kia ora HWHL, have a great day.<BR/>Ka kite ano,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-31802473361574933942008-06-26T09:31:00.000+12:002008-06-26T09:31:00.000+12:00Kia ora Robb, Kura! Story and photos are both beau...Kia ora Robb, Kura! Story and photos are both beautiful.MBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14515233228776181123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-39230769288477646712008-06-25T02:01:00.000+12:002008-06-25T02:01:00.000+12:00Robb, I love these photos - they are so serene and...Robb, I love these photos - they are so serene and beautiful. <BR/><BR/>Can I ask you a question? Are the salutations you use in your comments from the Maori language? I'm assuming that is correct, but I'm not sure. Other than seeing the movie "Whale Rider" (which I loved), I know very little about the indigenous New Zealanders.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, thanks for stopping by my blog - see you soon. <BR/>:-)<BR/><BR/>-HWHLHWHLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07294913024458099382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-52692540814977503942008-06-22T18:48:00.000+12:002008-06-22T18:48:00.000+12:00Tena Koe Brother, No, that photo has been there t...Tena Koe Brother,<BR/> No, that photo has been there the whole time. You have given me inspiration for a post though, one dedicated to Colenso, as it a very special, mysterious, and remote place. <BR/> As to your seeing it brother, your next trip here we shall sip nice whiskey by its protected shore! We just need a bit more time, at least 4 nights, as it is pretty tough to get to from any direction - as you know.<BR/> Yes I like the black and white as well - I just viewed D'Arcy's photos and commented I love the focus and imagination required with that type of photography. Cheers Gustav,<BR/>Arohanui,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-85433983811277716402008-06-22T12:42:00.000+12:002008-06-22T12:42:00.000+12:00Hey BrotherI may be mistaken, but did you add tha...Hey Brother<BR/><BR/>I may be mistaken, but did you add that photo of Lake Colenzo on the right or has it always been there?<BR/><BR/>It just now struck me again how beautiful it is. Will I ever see its shores?<BR/><BR/>Also the black and white picture of Charlie on the Bridge in your last post is tremendous! You must be so proud.Gustavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14007035018960992565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-44446091070932328152008-06-21T13:44:00.000+12:002008-06-21T13:44:00.000+12:00Kia ora Pam, Haere mai, welcome. Thank you for sha...Kia ora Pam,<BR/> Haere mai, welcome. Thank you for sharing your memories and I am happy this post did that for you. Your comments sum up what I meant in the difference of being a father and a parent. Any male, more or less, can be a father, but not until we become or start to become a real man can we be a parent. As I wrote to Gustav, the impact our fathers have upon us is enormous no matter if that is a positive or a negative experience. I am glad your brother found guidance from a good man. That male presence is so important and I am proud to say my boys also are fortunate to have a strong presence from their grand father as well. Kia ora Pam.<BR/>Cheers,<BR/>Robb<BR/><BR/>Tena Koe Marja,<BR/> Happy to see you back on line! Hope all is well. It takes a ton of patience with kids and tramping and I was much harder on my older boy Taylor, as, well, basically I had no patience back then! So Charlie is getting the benefit of those hard learned lessons. Having written that, Taylor was also a tough trooper, and always completed every tramp we started. I think one day your children will come back to those memories. Kia ora Marja.<BR/>Cheers,<BR/>Robb<BR/><BR/>Kia ora Sugar,<BR/> Thank you, that is exactly what I meant about Charlie getting the best part of what I learned from Taylor.<BR/> Taylor sort of lost interest in the mountains a few years ago as he developed other interests and I let him have his space. Just recently he has started making noises about wanting to go out again, especially if he gets some time off school.<BR/> I agree about capturing the moments. Just the other day I was trying to recollect what the boys looked like as little babies, and I struggled until I got out the photo albums. Time goes so quickly.<BR/>Kia ora Sugar.<BR/>Rangimarie,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-50226179880910060172008-06-21T04:40:00.000+12:002008-06-21T04:40:00.000+12:00It's funny what we learn from child to child. In r...It's funny what we learn from child to child. In retrospect, we can critique ourselves, but we really thought we were doing the right thing. In the end, they know we loved them as best we knew how. <BR/><BR/>I was thinking about the details of your retelling of the hike. I think it's awesome that your boys will have your memories when they are older and can appreciate how much their dad loved them. Taking the time to capture the moments we share with our loved ones is such an incredible act of love in itself. How lucky your boys are. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing and congratulations, Charlie!Sugar Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14350485179045324078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-2428555836904262232008-06-20T17:02:00.000+12:002008-06-20T17:02:00.000+12:00Oh Robb what a great way to bond with your son and...Oh Robb what a great way to bond with your son and to share your love for the mountains. He looks adorable and surely is. i am happy you had a good time together. We always took our children tramping from an early age, short trips. My son always sat in the middle of the path when he was tired and wouldn't move a fin. We literally had to carry him. They are now teenagers and it is not cool anymore to walk but I hope it comes backMarjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17458942200244031009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-19873539948921899512008-06-20T15:53:00.000+12:002008-06-20T15:53:00.000+12:00Kia ora Gustav, Our fathers are such huge presence...Kia ora Gustav,<BR/> Our fathers are such huge presences in our lives no matter if that is a good thing or a bad one. There can be no doubt it is the first thing that defines who we bocome as men. Sometimes that is a hugely positive thing, sometimes not. For most of us, I suggest, it is perhaps a combination of both good and bad. I loved my father crushingly so, yet at times I hated how he could treat us, and himself. My job as a father just may be to break some of those behaviours which lurk inside me. My dad was not a man of Nature, but he kept me close in other ways, athletics mainly. My way is nature, music, and changing who I am into the man that can love these beautiful boys and my wife, as best I can. That might be outside the realm of "preparing them for life", but what life? A life in the competition of the coporate cages or assembly lines, or one of wonderment, exploration, and helping to change the world. I may be an outsider, but I choose the latter. Kia ora brother. I love you.<BR/>Rangimarie,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-2966925765659691372008-06-19T19:22:00.000+12:002008-06-19T19:22:00.000+12:00This is beautiful to read through and experience. ...This is beautiful to read through and experience. It bought a lump to my throat however, as it reinforced what my younger brother missed out on with my father, who showed very little interest in him.A neighbour realized his potential and mentored him to become one of the top shooters in the state.My parents didn't go to any of his presentations.My mother also sent him to the YMCA mentoring program,my point being that your pride in your sons is wonderful.The last line"with a child I love even more"is hard to read for me.Thank you for the man you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-20307881512184017212008-06-18T23:47:00.000+12:002008-06-18T23:47:00.000+12:00Hello my fine friendFirst of all, a huge congratul...Hello my fine friend<BR/><BR/>First of all, a huge congratulations to Charlie. He is a boy who is walking in the mountains with a big father, both in size and spirit.<BR/><BR/>I agree that your softer approach to introducing Charlie to the Mountains is probably better than the full on thrust that Taylor experienced. <BR/><BR/>Yet, I reckon its hard to know. I imagine Taylor will never forget those early hardy tramps that are now stamped into his soul.<BR/><BR/>Its the uphill struggles we remember, not the easy rides down the hill.<BR/><BR/>My Dad always treated me like an equal when I went hiking, canoeing and fishing with him, even though I was only five, he made me feel proud to be with him, to be a man even though I was still a boy.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps that is what Charlie and Taylor both felt. A yearning to be like their Dad, a man with huge footsteps, and a huge heart.Gustavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14007035018960992565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-60460628989815677182008-06-18T23:06:00.000+12:002008-06-18T23:06:00.000+12:00Tena koe D'Arcy, The thought of you singing The Hi...Tena koe D'Arcy,<BR/> The thought of you singing The Hills are Alive brings a smile to my face. Good on you for getting up there and having the lung power left to burst into song! As your niece would say,"Wow".<BR/> Kia ora for your words D'Arcy. It warms me to read you find some value here. Maybe if more people would stop during their busy day and look at a mountain, or the sea, or the desert, lakes, or simply more deeply at ourselves and each other we could actually change the world a wee bit. Now I am probably writing too much! Cheers D'Arcy.<BR/>Rangimarie,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-25620704593302312512008-06-18T22:54:00.000+12:002008-06-18T22:54:00.000+12:00Kia ora Young Tramper, Cheers mate! My best to yo...Kia ora Young Tramper,<BR/> Cheers mate! My best to you and your dad for your efforts. It often isn't easy eh? The tough climbs, steep descents, cold, wind, and all the other "goodies". Yet when the trips are done we can't wait for the next one. I reckon your dad has a few years left in him yet mate! I had a quick look at your site, and he looks pretty fit to me. May just bump into in the Ruahines in July. Kia ora mate, I will be over to check out your site more often.<BR/>Ka kite ano,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-63322888447800843582008-06-18T22:43:00.000+12:002008-06-18T22:43:00.000+12:00Kia ora 0phelia Rising, I like to think I have co...Kia ora 0phelia Rising,<BR/> I like to think I have connected Charlie to the Ruahines through Whenua. 0f course it is a connection he will have to find within his own heart. I can only guide him there.<BR/> I hope you do get up a mountain with your kids and reaquaint yourself with them - the mountains I mean. Though I guess it is with our children as well in a good way.Sometimes the journey with them can be a bit rough, but the view from the top always seems to put things in proper perspective. And I agree, I can think of no place I would rather be to nut out tough decisions.<BR/> I love those lyrics, they suit me perfectly. I will have to track that song down. Kia ora 0phelia!<BR/>Rangimarie,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-37494535575655661422008-06-18T22:32:00.000+12:002008-06-18T22:32:00.000+12:00Kia ora Bob, I will pass on your congrats to Char...Kia ora Bob,<BR/> I will pass on your congrats to Charlie. I agree about the risk management. I really felt frustrated recently with the young kids being killed at Tongariro. The back lash towards the centre was fairly fierce in the media and particularly towards Graham Dingle who set the place up years ago and basically came out and said what you just wrote.<BR/> As parents how can we not help but feel apprehensive with our kids in tow in those sorts of environments? Yet if we don't are we not just allowing ourselves and them to be crippled by fear and what ifs? I have had a few scary moments in the Ruahines, and I know you would have many more on higher peaks, but they do not stop me from gazing at my pack hanging there and letting myself wander away happily. Yes, soon it will be Taylor and Charlie lugging the big loads, waiting for the old man to catch up. Bring it on! Kia ora Bob.<BR/>Cheers,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-23821861119280344002008-06-18T22:20:00.000+12:002008-06-18T22:20:00.000+12:00Tena Koe Beth, A few friends once suggested that ...Tena Koe Beth,<BR/> A few friends once suggested that perhaps the mountains do sense our presence in some way, particularly if we are there with love and respect, and I like that thought. I feel that I am at my best when in the presence of the mountains so what better place to spend time with my sons. Walking a fairly gentle walk with Charlie also reminds me that my interaction with them can also be enjoyed for a few hours just as much as for many days. Cheers Beth.<BR/>Ka kite ano,<BR/>RobbRuahineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398484733805119294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-70991309848377318282008-06-18T17:08:00.000+12:002008-06-18T17:08:00.000+12:00Robb, I love your words, your images, your love of...Robb, <BR/>I love your words, your images, your love of the mountains your stories. Reading your blog these past few months helped me look at my mountains this past week with more appreciation and calm reflection. You saw the photos with my wee niece, she loves the word "Wow." She just kept looking and pointing and saying "Wow". It's so simple, but there is wonder in a wow, and like you, I saw nature through her young eyes and my appreciation deepened.<BR/><BR/>My sister and I also spent one afternoon pushing ourselves up to the top of a big mountain we've been meaning to climb for years. We didn't take the camera, but the view is clear in my mind. We hiked the mountain and found the most amazing wildflowers and the top, and a perfectly flat area that was calling to us to sit and reflect and breathe....and I have to confess, I did my best Maria VonTrap impersonation when I twirled and sang "The Hills are alive with the sound of music...."<BR/><BR/>Ok, did I just admit too much? Perhaps, but I do one mean Julie Andrews impersonation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17584248569655542892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-30732578484419769412008-06-18T15:41:00.000+12:002008-06-18T15:41:00.000+12:00Hehe my father started me with a 5 day Tongariro C...Hehe my father started me with a 5 day Tongariro Crossing at 6 and ve been tramping for 10-11 yrs. I myself have had much hard times and still do. <BR/>The boots on the other foot now, im shouting at my father now and walking him till 3 in the afternoon before lunch. Or 7 in the afternoon before we stop. My website is www.freewebs.com/hellmission/ if you want to look at some of my pictures and trip reports.young tramperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06487575591643801117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-72526365512698965102008-06-18T11:21:00.000+12:002008-06-18T11:21:00.000+12:00I love your story of burying his placenta - and no...I love your story of burying his placenta - and now, the mountain is a part of him, as he is part of the mountain.<BR/><BR/>I've been wanting so badly to take my children up to the top of a mountain, and I think I'll do it this summer. I miss the mountains so much, and spent many nights on them years ago, when I was able to visit them more frequently. It reminds me of a lyric, by Dougie MacLean:<BR/><BR/>Rescue me,<BR/>Rescue me,<BR/>On this mountain's the only place<BR/>I can see clearly<BR/><BR/>I often think that, if I have to make a momentous life decision, the best place to go to think it all through is on top of a mountain. They're a home for me, and I hope my children exprience this, as your boys are so obviously doing.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for reminding me of all of this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-43211162874548743282008-06-18T03:41:00.000+12:002008-06-18T03:41:00.000+12:00A heart warming story of taking your son in to the...A heart warming story of taking your son in to the mountains. Well done Charlie !<BR/><BR/>I used to take my young daughters, 5 of them, into fairly wild places and I was very apprehensive about the weather turning bad, or some injuring themselves. But life is full of risks and it is important that we introduce children to risk management at a young age.<BR/><BR/>Good on ya mate. Soon Charlie will be taking you as you slow down.<BR/><BR/>Cheers<BR/><BR/>BobBob McKerrow - Wayfarerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13832128768908667724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699436745323436303.post-58288302057239619892008-06-17T11:33:00.000+12:002008-06-17T11:33:00.000+12:00What a beautiful post, and story. You are fortunat...What a beautiful post, and story. You are fortunate to have such a beautiful son and to be able to share what you love with him. I'd like to think the mountains are fortunate too.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15829062955658284450noreply@blogger.com