Whakatane - July/Aug 2023

 

Ohiwa Harbour entrance, in all her beauty

Arriving back in Whakatane, our home away from home, we just had time to catch up with friends, romp with their dogs on the beach and recycle our gear in the van to fit with the next few weeks of housesitting as we got ready to leave New Zealand for six months.

Our first housesit was at Ohope Beach where we would care for a gorgeous gaggle of two dogs and two cats.

Knox watching dogs Bumble and Cooper with
Sunday in the background, ignoring all

We loved the dynamics of them all, being totally relaxed around each other.  This is not always the case when cats and dogs mix in the same household.

Both cats would come for our morning walks around the harbour with the dogs, sometime requiring us to double back the way we came so that we didn't end up roadside with a cat in tow.

We romped around the beach and Ohiwa Harbour every afternoon enjoying the sunshine and the dogs pure joy at being out and about.

We were all equally happy to hang around the lovely house.

The two gingers

We had a week between sits so decided to lax out at the bach in Whanarua Bay.

One of our favourite views from the front door

We didn't get out in the kayak but caught more than enough fish off the beach.

 

It was great to be able to take an old mate fishing too

Next stop was our last New Zealand house sit for a while on the outskirts of Whakatane.  From here we could see the Ohiwa Harbour where we were walking the dogs from our last housesit!

We were charged with looking after Coco and Gypsy on a large block of sheep and five cows.

James and Coco connecting

Gypsy engaging in her own way

Each day consisted of a lot of relaxing around a walk to the gate and back, which was quite a way and took longer than it should with slow-coach Coco in tow.  Not to worry, we have plenty of time.

The cows were always curious to know what we
were all up to

You ain't seen me, right

Our walks to the gate were important for keeping an eye on the stock also.  One day we discovered a lamb had been born and its mother didn't want to know it.  We carried it home and nekminit we have found someone, through the home owners, to come and take it for hand rearing where it would become a pet lamb at one of the local schools.

Bruce's new mummy

We were visited by the neighbour's dogs on more than one occasion.

Play dates!

Clare continued to make yummy bread.

Focaccia for a friends birthday

And James went out on a few metal dectecting jaunts.

Then there was always plenty of time in the evenings for a snuggle with the doggos

The sun continued to shine and the sunsets were amazing.

Next stop ............ The UK!

Heading for 'home' - Jun 2024

 

The mighty Mt Ruapehu

It was time to starting heading north on a slow journey, coddiwompling toward a date in August when we would leave NZ behind for a bit.

Stopping in Nelson for a couple of nights with family we headed to the Interisland Ferry for Wellington.  This was possibly the calmest water we have ever crossed the Cook Strait in,

Staying with Clare's sister in Wellington so that we could spend some time with her Mum.  James took himself off fishing and metal detecting, coming up with yet more fishing gear!

Next stop was a repeat sit in the back blocks of Levin.  Here we were happy again to be looking after Maisy, Ron and Snookie the dogs.

What a view!

We also had the company of three cats - Garry, Pickles and Leo.

One sure fired way of getting the clan together
Dinner time!!!!

It was a short few days but we enjoyed it just as much as last time ..... walking the dogs up in the forest over the back fence, and otherwise just relaxing with them.

Our sheep friends

At the end of the day, it was winner takes all at bedtime.  You snooze, you lose your spot on the bed, humans included!

 

Arriving back in Whakatane to re-organise our gear according to the changing seasons and upcoming travels.  Away went the hunting gear and out came the winter woollys!!

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 ......