We went exploring this weekend, Mr Roost, the three Master Roosts and I. We loaded up an old ute with food and a few clothes and sheets and blankets. And more blankets. And one or two more for good measure. Boy were we glad for those!
We'd arranged to meet our friends at the Hunters Cottage in Mesopotamia. They arrived first and cranked up the fire, which took the chill off the wee house that was nestled in amongst the trees up a long winding path, past the old closed down school. Once we'd settled in and got a couple of our own lamb legs roasting in the oven, the dads and the kids left us mums to keep the fire burning (and knit, in my case) while they went out for a wee adventure.
Mr Roost's camera is never far from his hand, especially when we are adventuring. This is the view you get as you round the corner into Mesopotamia. That's the Rangitata River there on the right (the inspiration for my Rangitata Socks pattern), below the Harper Range and Mesopotamia Station is around behind the smaller mountain on the left, which is the base of the Ben McLeod Range - the little one not covered in snow. The road winds it's way along the base of that mountain. Paradise!
We spent a great evening eating our hearty roast, drinking wine and chatting. It's so good for the soul to spend quality uninterrupted time with great people, especially when you're out in the wilderness. There was no internet reception, no cell reception, no landline, not even a TV. The world could've fallen apart over the weekend and we would never have known! The kids all played nicely together - they found checkers and snakes & ladders and various other board games, just like we did when we were kids. They did have their devices, but no crazy YouTubers interrupted our silence. Parental bliss!
The temperature plummeted to minus 12 during the night. The fire guttered on, with the assistance of Mr Roost, who got up at 4am to add a log or two. Once we'd stoked the fire up in the morning the house was cozy again just in time for Mr Roost to return from his sunrise photographic adventures and help cook a tasty bacon and egg breakfast.
Once our tummies were full to bursting, we went out for a wee explore. The kids (and some of the adults!) had a great time with a boogie board, careering down a frozen stream that was trying to flow down a hill behind the house.
We all got a bit worn out sliding down the hill, so we all jumped into the ute to really go exploring. Thank goodness for four-wheel drive! So much fun bouncing along the rocky roads and checking out the areas that had been flooded recently. Not to mention the scenery! This is Lord of the Rings territory. Many scenes were filmed here, and it's not hard to figure out why they chose this particular location. Wow! We picked our way right down into the river bed, past signs for walking tracks that were measured in kilometres and hours, rather than metres and minutes, through gates and around corners, sometimes not knowing where the track might lead. Boy was it a treat to get down there! The edges of the many tributaries were crusted with ice and glittered in the bright sunshine. The patterns that the ice had made as the river tried to move past were something to behold.
The road to Helms Deep.
Time crept up on us and all of a sudden we realised we had to head back to reality! Time flies when you're having fun. But the best part about coming home is that now we get to have fun planning another adventure! Where will we go next?
If you want to check this spectacular place out, you can book accommodation on the Station. Have a look at their website and book your own adventure. You will not regret it!
In Hanging Rock Roost pattern news, I released my Maggie Cowl on Friday, then left you all to it while I went exploring. Thank you for those of you that have bought their copy already! For the rest of you, check her out in my Ravelry store by following the link above.
Maggie is a delight to knit. She begins with a provisional cast on, then you work four sections of varying layouts of a simple and very pretty lace repeat then finish with a little stocking stitch before picking up your provisional cast on and joining it all together with a lovely smooth kitchener stitch. Once you’ve blocked it you will love wearing this gorgeous cowl, named after Mr Roost’s super clever knitting and spinning late Auntie Maggie. Wear her loose, tuck her into your jacket, add a brooch or shawl pin, or wrap her twice for extra coziness. So versatile! I just know you will love knitting her as much as my testers and I have.
Well, that's about it for now. I'll tell you all about the next adventure once we have got it planned. And there are a few more patterns lurking in the wings too. One in particular is not far away at all. Keep your eyes and ears open for it in the next couple of weeks!
Until then ... happy knitting!
