Nelson Lakes motel

Tonight I'm staying here: 

It's a Motel with a lodge that functions as a backpackers hostel in Saint Arnaud. It's nice, clean, tidy, well equipped but not very decorated. I would recommend it to anyone passing by. 29 dollars for a bunk / night. 

Sun to come

Another misty morning holds the promise of a sunny day. I'm still in Tiraumea Valley. But I think I'm getting ready to leave.

A&P show

I had to ask Dallas what A&P stands for. Apparently it's short for agricultural and pastoral. So it's a show for farmers. Although I experienced it as a show for horse people. This is what it looked like. 

And on the way home, in the horse truck, a beautiful rainbow appeared right in front of us. 

I'm at Murchison A&P show, looking after Kate's horses. These two are named Inka and Greyway. Kate is riding Cascade at the moment.

Blue sky

Just like yesterday the day started with thick fog. But as it cleared there was a promise of a blazing sun. Which is a good thing. We have some painting to do and my laundry is on the line :-)

A quick taste of Nelson

Today my host Kate had an appointment with the osteopath. She brought me with to Nelson. Two hours car journey and entirely different weather, climate and nature. New Zealand is amazing! I went for a short walk while she got her spine examined. Nelson is nice! Although I didn't have time to see much. I'm sure I'll return at some point. I even have an invitation from some people from the trek :-)

Murchison

Today Kate and Dallas, my hosts, took me out of the valley onto the state highway and into Murchison, the closest little town. Just a 20 minutes car drive.

Cutest

These are my biggest source of entertainment at the moment (far better than TV). The mother appeared on the farm a couple of years ago. She's a ferral cat, wild and shy. A couple of weeks ago she took the kittens from her hiding place up to the house. Now they live under the veranda.

Ferral cats are considered a pest in New Zealand, as they're not native and kill birds (which are native and might be endangered). So Kate, my host, are feeding these. The hope is to catch them in the orange and blue cage, take them to the vet and make sure they're neutered before new homes will hopefully be found for the kittens. 

Nyoljat

Peace and quiet

This is the "duck pond". There are no ducks at the moment. It's very peaceful and quiet here. The first few days after the busy and crowded trek it was a blessing. But now I'm starting to feel impatient.

Silverdollar

There are lots of animals on the farm. This is Silverdollar. 

She is a minx so she has no tail, sometimes it makes her look so round. Once she got used to me she became really friendly. Yesterday when I sat in the sofa she jumped up onto the back of the sofa and cuddled up against my head. Silverdollar is one of two cats living indoors. 

My current home

At the moment I live at Tiraumea farm. I have a very comfortable bed, lots of room in a wardrobe to unpack and nice hosts. There's lots of horses in the farm, they breed sport horses and hunt with the horses, the English type of fox hunting. Although since there are no foxes in New Zealand they hunt hares.

Another farewell

Today is Waitangi day, which is a bit like the national day of New Zealand. So it's a bank holiday. It's really about remembering a contract that was written between the Maoris and the British a long time ago. But for most kiwis it just means a bank holiday. For me it was the last day of the trek. Although I didn't ride. I helped in the kitchen and when we got some time left over we went for a car ride up to a hunting hut in a secluded valley.

After lunch and some hurried packing up it was time to say goodbye to my previous host Vicki, her horses and all the others on the trek. I had a great time at Ngiao Downs with the Todhunters. But it's always exciting to move on to new locations. For now I'll be staying at the farm where the trekking was based, Tiraumea.

Today we rode to Downie Hut. It was beautiful! But the horse was annoyed and I've had too much sun. I think I good nights sleep will put me in a better mood.

Horsetrekking!

I've had an amazing and slightly terrifying day on the horseback! My bum is a little sore, but somehow I'll get up in the saddle again tomorrow and do it again :-)

In the truck, on the road

Today I'm leaving the eastcost, in this: 

Me and my former host Vicki Todhunter are going with Donna and three horses, in her horse truck. Actually I don't know exactly where we are going, I suppose I'll find out when we get there. We're making a horse trek this weekend. Wish me good weather! 

Annoying company

This is Remi. My hosts' dog. She is cute, charming and utterly annoying. 

If I leave my bedroom door open she'll come in and find the softest spot to rest on = she will make my pillow dirty and hairy. When I go for walks she always wants to come, even though she's not allowed on the road nor the beach. I've tried to shut her in the cottage, but she must have jumped out of a window and snuck out after me. We can't leave food where she can reach it, because she will steal it. 

But somehow I think I'll miss her tomorrow, when nobody is scratching my bedroom door, putting her tail in my face when we go for a car ride, or barking at the neighbour's car.

Rush

I'm back on Rush's back now. I like riding him :-)

But it's almost time for me to pack my bag. There are new horizons to explore.