Tim’s sister, Sue, and her husband, Mike, have arrived from Madison, Wisconsin. Mike and Sue also retired recently . We are happy to share this milestone and compare notes on the changes occurring in our lives.
The four of us spent two weeks together, enjoying each other’s company and catching up on news from home. Sue and Mike drove the 7 hours from Christchurch, over Takaka hill, a narrow winding road NW of Abel Tasman National Park to Tata Beach, to the place we meet. Our “home” is sufficient to keep us warm as long as Tim and Mike stoke the fireplace every few hours. Amazing view over Marlborough Sound. Unfortunately the house is also quite damp and musty smelling. Oh well, can’t have it all.
This area is home to many artists, writers, painters and more, who moved in around the 1970’s looking for a quiet secluded place. There have been generations of farmers in this region, somehow eking out a living from dairy cattle, livestock such as sheep, goats, and the land. The hills are filled with gorse, a dense yellow flowered weed, and lupin, a beautiful purple flower and invasive species, very difficult to clear for farm land. But these resilient, hard working, people somehow have managed the land. I had a chance to read a wonderful book called “Hard Country, A Golden Bay Life” by Robin Robilliard, which tells an inspiring story of a determined woman and an isolated farming life. It reminds me very much of the U.S. pioneer farmers who settled in the upper Midwest. There are tough, hardy people all over the world.
The four of us enjoy a drive through tight, winding roads into Takaka town, passing through this hole in the rocks. We find a nice lunch at Wholemeal Cafe, pick up groceries and meet a German gentleman who runs a furniture store. He has incredible hand made woodwork from area artists and the far east. After chatting we find out his real interest lies in establishing a community hydro pond for local tourists to fish while building a tiny house container community near Tata Beach.
After stocking up on food and seeing the town, we head back home. Mike loves to cook, and in my estimation could be a chef. He does much of the cooking for us during the two weeks. Tonight’s meal is Thai peanut vermicelli with vegetables. Deb and I are happy to take a break from cooking, although we help out with a couple of meals each week.
At the start of the Gibb’s track beach trail
Tim and Mike walk along towards Taupo point while Sue and Deb check out the beach area, and do a little wading. That afternoon we walk around Waikoropupu springs which are considered Maori sacred territory. There are essentially underground springs that have such high flow they create their own rivers, and the water can be seen flowing up into the pools.
Tuesday morning we see an amazing sunrise from our home, then decide to walk through Labyrinth Rocks. These are rocks that rainfall has carved out over time, leaving complex mazes and tunnels in the rocks.
A solemn (patriotic?) moment
Sue decided to check out the town of Takaka while Mike, Tim and I hike to Rawhiti cave. It’s only about a kilometer long trail, but gains about 300 meters in elevation, up a slippery trail. But the views are well worth it.
Today we headed up to Cape Farewell, on the very Northern tip of the island. Mike volunteered to drive, as their rental car had been upgraded to large Toyota Camry. He did well with the tight twisty roads, and remembered to keep left. Once we got there, we checked out Farewell Spit, a long finger of beach which extends out into the ocean about 25km.
On the way to Cape Farewell Sue got her chance to try her hand at sheep herding.
First mapped by Abel Tasman, Farewell Spit was named by British explorer Captain James Cook in 1770.
A closeup of the sand being carved out by the wind on Wharariki beach. The winds were very strong on the day we visited.
On Wednesday, Tim decides to try a large hike, while Sue, Deb and Mike take a more relaxed approach. Tim heads up to Parapara peak, a hike of about 16km with 1400m total elevation gain. After wading across a small river, the trail went through fields for a kilometer or so. After that it became quite challenging, as the trail made its way along a branch of the river. But after another kilometer, the trail left the river and was then quite good. The trail had a few of the typical orange triangle trail markers, but had a few older markers as well. White aluminum rectangles, red/white painted trapezoids, painted tin can lids, and rusty metal strips could all be found.
More interesting mushrooms, even some blue ones this time.
And the view from the top, with Tata beach in the background
While Tim is off on his own hike, Deb, Mike and Sue go on a morning hike to see Wainui waterfall. A nice rainbow formed while we were there.
Wainui Waterfall with rainbow
It is so good to be with these two who have brought a bit of home to us! We are all so thankful to get to experience retirement.
