Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March 2025

Nelson

Last night, we went to dinner with a couple of Kiwis that Lady P met on the Camino, at ‘Eight Plates’ in Nelson. It’s the type of place that has only eight sharing plates on the menu, plus some sides. So, after some gin cocktails, we ordered all of the eight share plates, plus a repeat of the crumbed chicken, a side of zucchini fries and a dessert. It was OK. Not brilliant. Almost, but not needed or indulged, a Big Mac on the way home.

Hokitika

Saturday morning saw us up early and off to our off grid miner's cottage on a farm outside of Hokitika. It’s about a five hour drive, with a few small towns to stop and get some supplies. The miner’s cottage is a single room with a comfortable bed and a little veranda. There are cheap little solar cells around the place, driving little LED lights plus a couple of strategically placed torches. A short walk to a long drop dunny and a little further to the camp kitchen and single shower. Remarkably well supplied with all manner of kitchenware and two gas cook tops/BBQ. There is also a fire pit.

No sooner had we set up camp and poured the GnT’s, when we were visited by the two farm dogs. Nice. Then a giant black sow wandered into camp, grunting and slobbering. Flashy grabs the big stick and is pleased that she has no tusks. She also appears pregnant and is possibly a pet pig. Nonetheless, he sees her off with some stern words and a couple of firm wacks about the rear end.

Lady P can’t restrain herself any longer and lights the fire. So nice to have a camp fire.  The moon comes out - about a half waxing moon and lights up the surrounding farmland and forest. We amuse ourselves looking at satellites and the stars, before making it to 9.00 pm and a cosy night’s sleep.

Sunday we are visited by the farm’s chooks, the resident peacocks and the dogs. No sign of miss piggy. After a coffee and tea, we head off to Hokitika for a look about. It is the day after the Hokitika Food Festival – a hippy affair by the look of the aftermath.  It’s a nice little town and a decent coffee apparently. Home to a rest and a bit of a read of the books and another great campfire.

Miss Piggy is not sure if Flashy is serious.










Our miner's cottage
Farm dog 'Buddy'
This one's called breakfast
Side view of the cottage
Glacial stream on the way to Fox Glacier
Glacial valley and mountain
The shepherd's hut just outside Fox Glacier

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