Realised we hadn't had a pie for some time so called in at Motueka on our way over to the Marlborough Sounds. Steak and Ale with a light flaky pastry was the dog's danglies, scoring a credible eight and a half.
Went on to meet some interesting characters today.
Firstly, New Zealand's answer to Ray Mears who was hitch-hiking to the ferry terminal at Picton. Although his dayjob is some kind of nerdy I.T. consultant, Anton had been living in the bush for the past month, he therefore felt it his duty to teach us all kinds of stuff we'll never need to know. Like how to trap and skin a possum, snare and smoke an eel and concoct a totally natural remedy for period pains - still not sure why he'd mastered that one mind.
He became very animated when he spotted some innocuous shrub by the side of the road and made us pull over. Apparantly this magic bush is the answer to most of the world's ills; the berries relieve an upset stomach, chewing the bark will prevent panic attacks while the tips of the leaves mashed and mixed with boiling water make an invigorating cuppa.
While Wend and Anton were stripping the poor plant of all its vegetation a Swiss couple in a van similar to ours pulled up to swap campervan stories and told us of a good, cheap campsite on a nearby dairy farm.
Fabien and Cindy turned out to be a proper laugh and we spent a pleasant evening drinking their really nice, and our not-so-nice, wine. We're hoping to meet up again on the North Island, but failing that, have promised to visit Switzerland where Cindy assures us her Fondue takes some licking.
No comments:
Post a Comment