Hot Water Beach, NZ: in which we shower with a howling viking

June 11, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue

After several days of sharing a cold and being stuck in our little camper in torrential downpours, it was good for the soul to emerge under a blue sky and […]

Of Burns, Boys and Bleh

June 5, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue

It has been a week of mishaps.  It started on the eve of our anniversary, when I scalded my arm.  It was dumb, really. We were parked at an angle […]

Crossing the Cook Strait: Notes from the end of the world

May 31, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania

I have no fingernails left. They’ve worn off along with the outer layer of the spoon I’ve been sanding. I’m carving it from a little piece of driftwood that I […]

Married: Memories from 19 years…

May 25, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue

Our 19th anniversary is in a few days: May 28th, to be exact. We aren’t big on dates and we have several anniversaries that we celebrate. Once, over dinner, someone […]

Family Fun on High Peak Station

May 19, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue

The loud clacking of antlers echoed over the valley, almost drowning out the laughter of the onlookers. There isn’t too much that’s funnier than boys, armed with stag racks, battling […]

Uncle Dick: A fond farewell

May 18, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue

The camper seems quiet without his deep voice and big laugh. We dropped him off at the Christchurch airport with bear hugs all around and a promise to come see […]

High Peak Station: Hunting Red Stag: Photo Essay

May 17, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue

Uncle Dick’s ultimate adventure:  Hunting Red Stag

High Peak Station Day Three: Dos Amigos Return

May 16, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue

I dreamt all night of stags. One of those shadowy dreams filled with twilight mist, in which everything is elusive. The long stalks gave way to laughter and stories. I […]

High Peak Station: Day 2: In which we stalk: Photo Essay

May 15, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue

Dick and I could not be having any more fun. He says he doesn’t care if he shoots anything or not and, in spite of his enthusiasm for stalking, I […]

High Peak Station Day Two: Dos Amigos: The two that got away

May 15, 2013 in New Zealand, Oceania, Travelogue

The hut on High Peak Station echoes my childhood. Two old NZ hiking huts tacked on either end of a cabin main room, the walls and ceilings are larch planks. […]