nz adventures [humboldt falls]

nz adventures [welcome to 'gunn' country]

Sometimes in our travels we find ourselves in the most unexpected places, so it's a pleasant surprise when those destinations stand out against the rest. This was certainly the case, when on our way to Milford Sound, steady rain (plus snow) and a road closure forced us to find refuge for the night somewhere "off-road". After consulting the 'Lonely Planet' book and the Rankers website it was decided we'd head to an intriguing spot called 'Gunn's Camp'.

Leaving the state highway, we followed a very bumpy gravel road that took us into the Fiordland National Park. All maps and directions assured us our path led to a camping ground nestled in Hollyford Valley. I'm not sure if it was the rutted road, the fading daylight, the ominous grey skies, the denseness of the forest, or the fact that we saw no other signs of human life, I'll admit I was a little concerned about where we might find ourselves! The reviews promised a quirky, historic location, friendly management, and hot showers! But you know what? It was all that and more.

When Gunn's camp finally came into view, I was relieved to see we'd found ourselves somewhere quite special.  Before us was an orderly, colourful collection of rustic old public works cabins, each with their own unique features but all of which looked cosy and inviting. Smoke spiralled gently from the manager's house, puddles on the ground were rippling with raindrops, low clouds hung tangled in the trees and everything was blanketed with a peaceful and restful atmosphere; the kind of place where no one bothers to keep time and the word modern doesn't even exist! Just past the cabins an energetic (but melodious) river could be seen and heard and to top it off, the entire setting was surrounded by snow capped mountains. 

The camp had a generator for electricity, the camp common room (furnished with vintage tables and chairs) sheltered a roaring wood fire and the kitchen was fitted out with huge stainless steel benches, several gas stoves and hot water on tap. We relished the opportunity to cook dinner in a large communal space! And on the menu that night? A big eggs, bacon and mushroom fry-up of course! It was the first time I'd ever cooked toast on a funny little stand over a gas flame - may have been the best toast ever! In the shower block the water was heated with a huge wood-fuelled boiler and it was HOT (and *heavenly)! After dinner, the kids played a few rollicking games of Pictionary (we are still laughing about Harry's drawing for "funny bones") and toasted marshmallows.

Later that night, after too many marshmallows and a strong cup of herbal tea (living on the wild side, that's me) I was lulled into Dream Land by the steady drumming of rain on our campervan roof, playing in harmony with the sounds of water rushing over rocks from the river nearby. 

The next day we ate a hearty breakfast (taking advantage of that real kitchen once more), took a little walk around the camp, said thankyou and farewell to our gracious hosts and then drove a little further up the road to check out Humboldt Falls before retracing our steps back towards the highway and on to Milford Sound.

 

I'm so glad the road to Milford Sound was temporarily closed. It may have delayed our arrival to Milford by a day, but if it had not, we would never have found ourselves in Gunn's Camp. Everything happens for a reason!

* don't get me wrong, our campervan shower was OK. You quickly get used to showering with your elbows glued to your side. The space is something akin to a broom cupboard, and as for the water flow? Well, lets just call it a trickle (a generous trickle to be fair). Imagine how much water comes through a drinking straw - and that should just about do it, ha ha

weekly stills [pudding, chimes & flowers]

A pretty eclectic roll-up for this weeks Stills. A bit of a dodgy collection perhaps. I haven't much thought to pick up the camera since our holiday.

[i] a new plate each from NZ. We also came home with a painted rock and a tea towel, that's all, I'm not into aquiring loads of souvenirs - just great memories!

[ii] wind chimes blow'n' in the breeze. It's been all wind and rain here lately! OK, a bit of sunshine too. Wild, crazy weather actually.

[iii] our neglected azaleas are going gang busters and the bees are deliriously happy. The bushes are literally buzzing!

[iv] a new clothes line 'cause the other one rusted through and fell over (hazard of living near the sea). I don't like my new clothesline very much. The old one had full sun and was enormous. We renters just have to suck it up sometimes! At least I have a clothesline right?

[v] tub tunes have been rocking out from the bathroom lately. I bought this set of bath whistles for Harry when he was about 3, all these years later and they still get played with!

[vi] a nice guy came home from the markets with flowers for me...much better than chocolates

[vii] you can't really tell by looking at this photo, but our garden has just experienced something of a chainsaw massacre (and it wasn't us). I'm confident those hibiscus bushes will recover one day!

[viii] ipading on a Sunday morning - and getting along fine and dandy

[ix] tapioca pudding...I've kind of got an obsession. I blame my sister who introduced me to Iku, although their pudding is made from sago. I only just found out tapioca and sago are two different things (yes, I sometimes have my head in the clouds).

[x] I'm washing and thoroughly drying out the snow gear so it can be stored away until next year

[xi] those ipaders again - they love building worlds in Minecraft - I don't get it! Just watching the screen over their shoulder makes me feel woosey!

Have a lovely week friends x

the post holiday phase

We just spent two weeks exploring New Zealand's South Island. You may remember we visited NZ this very same month, a year ago. That should give you a clue as to how much we adore New Zealand, even with it's chilly weather and icy/gritty roads. The crisp air, snowy peaks and frozen puddles captured our imagination twelve long months ago and we couldn't wait to get back. There's something magical about winter that only places with snow can offer! After living on such a temperate island for the past few years, donning scarves, beanies, gloves and warm coats has become something of a novelty for us.  Ah the romance of cracked lips, itchy winter woollies, smokey fires, foggy windscreens, runny noses and snow chains! I'm into it all, not even the trips to the loo that take triple time because there are so many layers of clothing to un-tuck and re-tuck have put me off.

So moving on from my winter love affair, I'm eager to tell you our trip was spectacularly fabulous and I loved every single minute. Our family met up with some dear Aussie mates in Christchurch and together we rocked the motorhome lifestyle, driving in convoy naturally, and stopping to empty our grey/black water tanks in unison (now that's bonding people). We didn't have an actual itinerary or anything, just a loose list of 'this would be cool to see'. Sometimes we stayed in caravan parks, but often we camped off the beaten track. I think freedom camping is my new favourite way to travel.

But now we are home, lament, lament, boo hiss. It's taking a lot for me to settle down and find my "you're home now" groove. Has that ever happened to you? It's OK, you don't have to tell me, I know holidays (and holiday excitement) can't last forever. I've popped my hikers on a few times since touch down, just to experience "the feeling" again - but it's never the same. Let's face it, holiday bliss gets sucked away the moment you open up your *empty fridge, followed by endless bags of dirty washing!!! I am trying to come back to earth. I'm sort of trying hard to be a realist and move forward. I am trying to get in touch with my pre-holiday-non-nomadic-homesteader thoughts. Honest.

Oh who am I kidding? All I really want to do is hop back on that plane! I've become completely obsessed preoccupied with travel. My feet are itching to walk on new surfaces, my nostrils want to sniff out new scents and my head space is searching for a different view. I want to pack up my little family and take a journey all over again. I've been conjuring, scheming and dreaming, determined to come up with a hair-brained idea: how to holiday forever? Yup, I'm pining dreadfully for those unscheduled, unpredictable adventure-filled days! Life on the road fits like a glove baby. But forever? It's just not practical, right!? 

Is it possible? 

Ben isn't convinced. He can be such a sensible chap.

Have you been to NZ? It's absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful (especially the South). YOU MUST GO! Please say you will.

Anyway, please excuse me while I go and stroke my hiking shoes. I'm not ready to put them away just yet.

Oh and I have hundreds of holiday snaps to sort. Stay tuned.

* A very lovely person left dinner on our stove and home-baked goodies on our kitchen bench. So I can't really blame my dissipating holiday bliss to the fact that there wasn't anything to gobble when we arrived home!!!! Isn't that awesome. I'm gonna keep that friend!