Leaving shaky Christchurch behind, we hit the road yet again in search of sun, sea and flushing toilets. Heading up the east coast we made sure we sampled as many vineyards delights as possible in Blenheim (wine country) to educate and prepare ourselves for our new job at Flatpoint farm and vineyard. Next, to Abel Tasman National Park for one of the top walks in the country with jaw-droppingly pristine sandy beaches and sunny skies (glad we didn’t do the whole walk though….9hrs was enough for us!). Met up with Jayne and Sash to travel to the very north of the south island to uber remote Wharariki beach and Pupu springs (the clearest springs this side of Antartica!).
Made it onto the ferry crossing to the north island after only 27 breakdowns (oh Venus, have you had enough of us already??) and enjoyed the sunrise crossing almost as much as the dolphins seemed to, who were playing in the ferry’s surf all the way to Wellington. After being messed about by greasemonkeys, we made it along the 60km gravel track from civilisation to Flatpoint Station (our next job venture) where we were immediately handed a glass of wine on arrival, a sign of things to come! The 9,000 ha coastal estate holds 4 holiday homes, a golf course, air strip, 16,000 sheep, 8,000 cattle, 1 pig and very very few humans (only 6 permanent residents). What have we got ourselves into!?!
The next two months were spent grape picking, gardening, cleaning, pig feeding and seal dodging (our new home being very close to the beach). One month solid work (and extreme isolation) was clearly too much for us and we needed a weeee break, so headed to Whanganui and Tongarairo National Parks. The volcanic Alpine crossing was a definite highlight (Mt Doom territory) as well as the spa and beer afterwards naturally. Also headed up to Lake Taupo and the thermal extravaganza of Orakei Korako (a less touristy but equally steamy and pongy version of Rotorua).
Back to work another month and the amazing microclimate of Flatpoint continued to shine down on us. Jayne and Sasha joined us again for a spot of grape picking with some Irish backpackers and gourmet paua dining (unfortunately grape picking fell on Jaynes birthday but made up for it in evening celebrations with more tasting of Flatpoint’s own wine). Every man and seal at Flatpoint seems to own some form of aviation machinery- Sarah managed to bag a free flight and lesson in a gyrocopter (cross between a helicopter and plane….but nothing like either, which is why Matt could not be persuaded to have a go!).
After an excellent sunny Easter, we have decided it is time to move on before we completely lose our human social skills!! Civilisation here we come………
Made it onto the ferry crossing to the north island after only 27 breakdowns (oh Venus, have you had enough of us already??) and enjoyed the sunrise crossing almost as much as the dolphins seemed to, who were playing in the ferry’s surf all the way to Wellington. After being messed about by greasemonkeys, we made it along the 60km gravel track from civilisation to Flatpoint Station (our next job venture) where we were immediately handed a glass of wine on arrival, a sign of things to come! The 9,000 ha coastal estate holds 4 holiday homes, a golf course, air strip, 16,000 sheep, 8,000 cattle, 1 pig and very very few humans (only 6 permanent residents). What have we got ourselves into!?!
The next two months were spent grape picking, gardening, cleaning, pig feeding and seal dodging (our new home being very close to the beach). One month solid work (and extreme isolation) was clearly too much for us and we needed a weeee break, so headed to Whanganui and Tongarairo National Parks. The volcanic Alpine crossing was a definite highlight (Mt Doom territory) as well as the spa and beer afterwards naturally. Also headed up to Lake Taupo and the thermal extravaganza of Orakei Korako (a less touristy but equally steamy and pongy version of Rotorua).
Back to work another month and the amazing microclimate of Flatpoint continued to shine down on us. Jayne and Sasha joined us again for a spot of grape picking with some Irish backpackers and gourmet paua dining (unfortunately grape picking fell on Jaynes birthday but made up for it in evening celebrations with more tasting of Flatpoint’s own wine). Every man and seal at Flatpoint seems to own some form of aviation machinery- Sarah managed to bag a free flight and lesson in a gyrocopter (cross between a helicopter and plane….but nothing like either, which is why Matt could not be persuaded to have a go!).
After an excellent sunny Easter, we have decided it is time to move on before we completely lose our human social skills!! Civilisation here we come………
poo poo springs?
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