Monday January 3rd

 Monday January 3^rd

The morning began as usual with a certain chainsaw working overtime from 5am on. Darren typed up some adventures at 7am and got the rest of the herd moving by 9. It took forever to pack everything we would need for the next couple of days into two suitcases and then track down the umpteen million things the boys had strewn about at Chris’ house.  After breakfast and goodbyes, we headed north of Christchurch down the highway towards Picton at the north end of the south island of New Zealand.

The highway was quite busy, but Darren managed quite fine and we moved along quite quickly toward our first stop at Kiakoura for lunch.  The scenery was absolutely mind blowing. Fields of wheat and grape vines dotted the landscape with majestic mountains on the left and ocean side on the right. The variety of trees here are staggering and the height of them are astounding. There are so many different evergreen trees and everything is so lush right now at the beginning of summer. We would have loved to have stopped at so many wineries to tour around and just soak in the landscape and beautiful summer sun and blue sky, but had a tight timeline to be at our next guests’ home. As we neared Kiakoura, the roads got much steeper climbing the cliffs through many switchbacks and tunnels. Around every corner was some new spectacular view. If only we had more time….

We made it to Kiakoura and found a restaurant to eat downtown. We had some fish n chips, a hot dog and another Pita Kabob. While eating lunch on the sidewalk, we got to see a car accident with a good rear-ender so that was exciting! We went for a stroll to the beach and bumped into a Canadian from Vancouver who had been living in Christchurch who came up to Kiakoura for a few days to check the place out. The beach was all rocks but the view of the ocean and coastline with the rather large mountains in the backdrop was absolutely amazing.  We did some shopping and found some souvenirs for family and friends and headed back to the car. 

We headed south a bit to see the seal colony. There were many low lying rock formations in the water and many outcroppings a couple hundred metres out into the ocean – perfect for seals to lounge around in the sun and devour fish in the sea all day long.  We were able to get about 10 feet away from one and get some photos and video before receding back to the shore a bit safer distance.  It was such a neat experience for the boys and us to get so close to them. Apparently they bite so we didn’t want to get too near them. By the amount of tourists around, it was clear that many of them were used to us and didn’t mind us getting a bit closer than usual. The colony of fifty or more remained much further away and some were absolutely huge. We were able to use our zoom lens on our camera and video camera to get a good view but were glad that they didn’t come inland more as they were rather large!

We noticed time slipping away, so we promptly headed to the car and proceeded north to Blenheim where we picked up some groceries and supplies for the next few days at Pat and Helen Williams farm in the Sound. We got directions to meet them as they were going to come get us by boat and save us a couple hours of driving around the islands to get to their place.  After a quick shop and a bite at McDonald's, we set off on the long windy route around hundreds of switchbacks to get to the marina at Te Mehia to meet the boat.  Jacob got sick shortly into the trip and eventually threw up before our arrival. I was driving and I almost got ill. After 90 minutes of sharp curves, inclines and declines, we arrived at our destination. The trip made the Road to Hana in Hawaii look like a drive to Okotoks on a summer day. This was a hell of a trip but we met Pat and Helen and loaded the boat for their home.

We were half way across the sound on a 20 minute trip and noticed huge flocks of gulls attacking the water. Helen quickly grabbed her fishing rod and threw a line in the water and moments later brought in a 2lb fish. It seems that the large snapper in the water below push the smaller and younger fish to the surface, and when the birds see that, they attack the water to eat the small young fish. With so many fish at the surface in schools, throwing a line in with a hook almost ensures a catch every time.  After 4 casts in ten minutes, we had 4 fish in the boat including one that Nicholas reeled in.  How lucky!

We arrived at the dock ten minutes later and unloaded children and baggage. Helen backed up the boat trailer with their tractor and loaded the large boat on as Pat drove it up and out. We headed up the hill with tractor, boat and Ute (utility vehicle – 4 wheel drive with 4 seats and platform on the back with sides to haul cargo). We unloaded groceries and were in complete awe of the beautiful home and amazing views from every window and doorway in the property.  The boys and I headed down to the shed to watch the expert filleter gut and prepare the fish as well as put the tractor and boat away. Pat hooked up a hose to the outboard motor and flushed out all the sea water with fresh water as the sea water is quite corrosive with all the salt content so that was interesting. I took some photos of the sun setting with all the sheep and lambs in the background as they have about 30 sheep on the property.

We returned to the house and got a bit of a tour. We were escorted to our guest room with a 180 degree view of the ocean and sound. There were two separate bedrooms – one for the boys with bunkbeds and one with two single beds for me and the Mrs.  We got the boys fed with some sausages and potatoes and after a card game; we had them in bed for 9 as it was a long day for them.  They were snoring shortly thereafter and we sat down and ate some extremely delicious lasagna, salad and chocolate cake with fresh raspberry sauce.  Pat and Helen live mostly off the land and grow all their own vegetables year round. They have a few chickens for eggs and slaughter the occasional cow but rarely need to buy anything to survive.  They have many solar panels and are completely off the grid in terms of lighting and heating their home. 

We finally made our way off to bed after Darren and Pat did the dishes. They normally go to bed around 830 so they were hanging in there fairly well for us. It would be a busy day tomorrow with washing/repairing solar panels on the roof as well as tending to the many animals on the property. A fish fry for breakfast awaits with fresh garden egg omelettes – Yummy!