Captivating Karamea, Mar-May 2023

The infamous walking tree of Karamea

 We decided to travel to the West Coast through the Arthurs Pass, one of the three main passes between the East and West Coasts of the South Island.  As we wanted to do our main food shop in Greymouth this one made the most sense.  We planned to stay up in the tops of the hills that night, but when we got there it was snowing!!  This is not a very common occurance for us when travelling in New Zealand so, although we were enchanted by the experience, we decided to keep on travelling through it as we couldn't afford to get snowed in when we were required to start a sit in a few days.

We arrived at Lake Brunner and enjoyed a cool but pretty night lakeside.

Knowing that we would not want to be travelling the hour or so between Karamea and Westport to do our shopping during our 10 week sit, we opted to stock up on all staple foods on the way through.

Of course, we couldn't resist stopping the night at one of our favourite fishing and freedom camping spots at the mouth of the Nile River, Charlston.

Arriving in Karamea we were delighted to meet our bosses for the duration.

Gelphy aka Scaredy Cat

Pickles, 1yo Burmese x Ragdoll

Gelphy was scared of his own shadow and many things were want to give him a fright, but he was oh so endearing, taking his spot on the sofa between us and scoffing down every morsel of fish on offer!

Every single day was an adventure to young Pickles.  He is one of the most self assured, loving cat we have met to date!  His only downfall was his penchant for hunting mice and rats.  Now we know this is a good skill for a cat but bringing them in and chasing them around the house in the middle of the night is not so endearing!

Knowing that Karamea was a great place to fish off the coast, we couldn't wait to get started.  The ocean did not disappoint.  We were able to go surfcasting around 5 or 6 times during the 10 weeks of the housesit.  The rest of the time the West Coast was busy living up to its reputation as a formidable force to be reconned with.  Even landing some of these fish was risky at times and we lived by our code to never turn your back on the waves. But it was all worth if, being able to feed ourselves for the entirety of our stay here.

Snapper, Gurnard and Kahawai all became part of our diet.
We had fun catching the sharks but they all got released.

One day on the way to check out the surf, we were astonished to spot a wild Chamois in the farmers paddock.  It seems to have come down from the nearby hills to enjoy some lush pasture.  We have attempted to hunt these in the Molesworth and never got this close to one.

As interested in us, as we are in it

 

We made some lovely meals with fish (but truth be told we were ready to expand our diet when we finally hit town again!)

Yummy ceviche

We were also lucky enough to arrive at peak fig, fiejoa and apple season, all of which were growing on our property.   Most of this friut go eaten and/or processed in many and varied ways - cakes, puddings, dried, stewed, frozen.

We were equally delighted that persimon season coincided with our stay and we were able to barter fish for a few bags of this lovely fruit.

Clare took the opportunity to attend a sourdough baking workshop being held in the next town.  We enjoyed the outcome of this new hobby.

First loaves out of the oven

English muffins

Spicy fruit loaf

When the weather was no good for fishing, James enjoyed metal detecting around the town.

A mixed bag

Silvers - predecimal

We went for a walk up Fenians Way looking for an old gold mine.  We didn't find the mine, but we did find some truly amazing mushrooms.

The blue ones feature on the NZ $50 note

Clare managed for complete some knitting missions ...

A cardigan for someone special

A t-shirt for self

Knitting al fresco

Multi-tasking

We had visitors for a few days.  Janet and Keith came to experience all that the area has to offer.

James and Keith watching them rods

Finding peace at the estuary

At the start of the Heaphy Track, one of the 
great walks of NZ

Goodnighty!!!

When it came time to leave, we only made it as far as Westport where we set up camp at Kawatiri Beach, just down the road from where some of Clare's family are from.

And enjoyed the most expensive Wild Tahr pie in the world!

And so the journey north begins ......

Fishing and a family wedding - Mar 2023

 

Twizel in all its beauty

It was time to head back to one of our favoured fishing spots, although it would be fair to say we do prefer sea fishing, but Twizel isn't a bad place to hang out.  The fish weren't really biting, at least not for us, so we just enjoyed the scenery and the company.  We did catch enough salmon to feed ourselves over the week but were hoping to catch enough to take to the family.  Alas, not.

At least there were autumn mushrooms to eat

This young lady had a broken wing and was more
than happy to have our company.  Especially when 
we took to feeding her oats.

It soon came time to head back down to Dunedin where Clare's nephew was getting married.  The family descended en masse!

Clare with her siblings and their Mum

Clare's Mum with all her grandsons 
(including a grandson-in-law)

The three youngest of their respective
generations - Clare, her nephew Jack 
and his nephew Thomas

Special times ... Clare's Mum meeting
her youngest great grandson, Thomas,
for the first time

The next day, some of the family, James included, went to watch Fiji get trounced by Otago at the rugby.  This is Ben watching with his Dad and Grandad.

Every one of the family was there, including a niece who had flown in from London for a few days, especially for the occasion.  It was a very special time together after the loss of Clare's Dad last year.  

James and Dora getting ready for
the onslaught of family arrivals

Ben being encouraged by James
to play with his food!

Younger brother Jack following suit

It soon came time for everyone to disperse and we headed off on a road trip to Karamea for a three month sit.  We had intended to stop in the Lewis on our way through the pass but it started snowing so we decided to just push on through and stayed at Lake Brunner for the night instead.

Lake Brunner

We also stayed the night at one of our other favourite fishing spots on the west coast, Charleston.

By day and by night

Lake Hawea highlights - Feb 2023

 

The inimitable Lola

Heading north to our next sit in Lake Hawea, we had a few days to spare so we stopped in to visit the farm at Scotts Gap on our way through.  We thought we would just stop in for a cuppa and a hug with the dogs but ended up staying for a few days to help out on the farm.  James helped with the dagging of he sheep and Clare ran the farm dogs and played with the puppies.  It's a tough life, but someone has to do it!!!

Back on the road we pulled up beside the river in a few different spots and fished and knitted.

The views really are something else!

Arriving at Lake Hawea we were lucky enough to be staying in a gorgeous house, built by the owners, right on the lakeside with the wonderful Lola to keep us company for a couple of weeks.

Our days consisted of walking Lola up and down the lake a few times a day.  She was always willing to show the way!

There is always something going on.  The lake is
one of the windier places in the area and the locals
sure know how to take advantage of it.

Beach art

El fresco dining anyone?

Lola also enjoyed our fishing adventures.  She has her own style, that's for sure.

A trout and two salmon for the table

She also thoroughly enjoyed helping James find some treasure around the lake.  She took this roll very seriously, even in favour of going for a walk!

And when the day was done and dusted, there was always time for snuggles in bed.