Reclaimed, Pre-Loved and Re-Used.

Reclaimed, Pre-Loved and Re-Used. These were Sandy's words to describe the eclectic mix of influences that she and Russell put into their home in Barrytown.

It was easy to get Sandy and Russell talking about the process of building their home. As I listened I realised they were talking about their own journey. I heard their hopes and dreams for a lifestyle that shares the values of the past and allows freedom to enjoy life at a slower pace. They want people to come and share this magic.


Sandy said they felt the building should belong to the West Coast.

They have gone to extraordinary lengths to incorporate local history and pay respect to wholesome working people of the area.

They elevated timbers from farm outbuildings to treasures remodelled for indoors.

A collection of beautiful wood salvaged from old sheds and cattle yards sits comfortably under the gaze of a stained glass window from the Greymouth Post Office.

When they reclaimed the timber floor from a joiner shop they made a marvellous discovery: Carved on the underside of the boards was the date 1901. The carpenters who laid the floor in the early port of Greymouth would certainly be surprised about the current presentation of their elaborate signatures. Their names now feature as a cryptic decoration in the living room.

A giant wave of bush clad hills rises up behind the house. She sits safely anchored to the land with sturdy beams from the old Cobden Railway Bridge.

Russell designed the high curved ceilings to echo the curves of the land. "He is good with plans, being a landscape gardener" said Sandy as she minimised her input by describing it as "a steep learning curve for a hairdresser."

It was Sandy's vision to rough plaster the vaulted ceilings. Lovely natural light entering from watery seascapes outside is captured by the plasterwork and scattered across the kitchen.

Local beauty outdoors and local culture inside crafted from the imaginations and different backgrounds of these two understated people. Russell from his New Zealand culture and Sandy from her Caribbean roots in British Colonial Bermuda.

The overall effect sings of people and places, here and beyond.

Wanstead Hotel

Wanstead Hotel

Bev and Peter

Peter and I have returned home from another travel adventure. Europe, Jordan and Egypt this time. I enjoy the art, colour and texture I find in markets and bazaars around the world.








Peter and I are farmers, having farmed sheep, cattle and crop in Canterbury for 36 years. I have spent many wonderful years weaving, mostly natural wool wall hangings depicting our beautiful NZ landscapes. Innumerable hangings are in public buildings and private collections around the world. I have tried my hand at many other crafts and had loads of fun over the years.

Peter gets up in the morning planning his game of golf and ends the day dreaming of the next.

Peter has been a keen golfer for more than 20 years.
He is a warm, generous, understated Canterbury Bloke, you won't find a better golfing guide.
Peters passion for golf can take to you any one of several nearby country courses, nestled amongst beautiful scenery, stunning mountain backdrops and clean fresh air.


We offer a country homestay about 7km from Ashburton. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Beachcombers

Malcolm is a retired engineer and Cheryl is passionate about gardening. In a moment of inspiration they decided Awatuna was for them .

In 2006, as visitors to the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, they spotted a hectare of land with a B&B looking out to a boisterous sea.
Once they entered the garden and discovered the Waimea creek, flowing past on its way across the sand to the sea, they knew it would be home.


Cheryl uses the beach, in her garden and in her home.
Every day, on the way back up the beach to home she brings a wheelbarrow full of driftwood; some for the fire and some special pieces become garden art.

The palette of coloured stones inspires her mosaics. Cheryl doesn’t describe herself as an artist, but her garden tells another story. The sculptures are the artistic interpretation of her beach.

Occasionally the ocean provides an abundance of kelp. Cheryl follows the great coastal tradition of valuing the goodness of seaweed for the garden. She describes draping herself in trees of kelp to drag them home.

Every day the wild sea changes the beach; shuffling coloured stones, washing up intricate driftwood shapes and other surprising treasures.

Cheryl and Malcolm wish to share their magical lifestyle with visitors, they want people to come play on the beach.


During the summer, when the creek is a gentle flow, the sea builds up a sand bar creating a long lagoon.
The lagoon drifts lazily past the garden, inviting hours of beachcombing, kayaking, bird watching and even a little whitebaiting in season.

The lounge is presided over by Miranda, a black cat enjoying her dotage from her favourite chair. Max, the white cat has more energy and helps with the gardening.
The sheep and goats, whose original purpose was to help keep the grounds in order, are now tame, hand-fed individuals requiring constant supervision to keep them OUT of the gardens. One days happy munching would destroy the years of tender care they have put into an extensive planting programme in the extreme coastal environment.

Cheryl and Malcolm have researched the history of the area and can tell of the mining, centred on their creek. They can point you to the former goldfields where tunnels, tailings and the bush clad hills show the difficult conditions miners encountered in their workings.

Malcolm is a Tubist. He has played in many brass bands and now enjoys making a contribution to the community through the Westland Brass Band. The band participates in many district events enabling Malcolm to meet some very interesting characters.

 

Raewyn and Rod

Raewyn and Rod are the custodians of the house built by the Hunter Family.

George Hunter, his wife Helen and family of 10, plus a cow, came to New Zealand aboard the ship “Duke of Roxburgh” from Portsmouth.
Their journey took 128 days and the family arrived on the 8th of February 1840, two days after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The cow had died but the piano forte, plough share and other goods arrived safely. Sir George was a respected public figure and Parliamentarian. 

The Hunter Family built the church on the property in the 1870s, importing stained glass windows that date from the 18th century.

The Porangahau Station Homestead was destroyed by fire in 1920. It was rebuilt in the Arts and Crafts Architectural style of the times. The house is informal and unpretentious, but sophisticated in a subtle way. The design suggests handcraftsmanship and sits in harmony with the grounds, swimming pool and tennis court.

Material referenced from “Hunter, a history of an early New Zealand Family” compiled by William Gruar and “New Zealand Houses – The Arts and Crafts” weblog by Deon Swiggs




 

Valmai and Ken

"In the company of Good Country Folk"

This was how guests describe Valmai and Ken (pronounced Val -may).
The couple have the natural ability to make their guests feel at ease.

Valmai can't pin-point one interest because her life is full of enthusiasm.
Woolcrafts, felting, gardening, cooking and being a grandmother, Valmai still manages to fit in time for her Lions Club, the Women's Institute and Lay Preaching in the Presbyterian Church.
When I talked with Valmai she had just been to an e-marketing course.

Ken is a retired farmer. He is also a member of the Lions Club and is a Past District Governor.

He has a boat and is always looking for an opportunity to get it out on the hydro lakes. He has plenty of rods and enjoys taking guests out fishing.
He has some favourite Salmon fishing rivers and although he doesn't guarantee that you'll land a fish he's pretty confident you'll have a great day.






Valmai and Ken have a comfortable B&B in a clean green country atmosphere. All guest rooms are on the ground floor

NZ $90 double
NZ $50 single
Breakfast is included - full or continental
Discounted rates for guests staying 3 nights or more
Dinner is available on request - NZ $30 per person. This includes NZ wines. In season the vegetables for the meals come from our garden.

Guests are invited to enjoy being part of our household, living rooms, TV etc.

“Make a cup of tea in the kitchen ... our home is your home.”

Paddy and Alan

Alan and Paddy find their B&B is a fun project they do together.

They have been married 42 years and are still waiting to have a row. Paddy says Alan is great at cooking steak and a dab hand at pancakes in the morning. Paddy sets the table and chats with the guests.

The art of hospitality and conversation is as natural as breathing for Paddy. Her mother immigrated from Ireland as an adventurous 21 year old in 1932 and met Paddys father, another immigrant from Derbyshire.

Alan, Paddy and their children travelled to Ireland, as New Zealanders do. When they were there Paddy kissed the Blarney Stone against her families advice. They thought gaining further eloquence of speech could be hazardous for her.

They now have 12 grandchildren.

Reefton was founded on, and named for, a gold-laden quarts reef. Mining has continued on the same reef since the 1870s. Alan works as a gold assayer for Oceana Gold, to keep the operation on the right track.

Visitors since 14th September 09

A "spine tingling" Kiwi experience - see video

Ian Cooper owns and operates Okarito Kiwi Tours

It all began one night out in the bush when Ian was looking for kiwi. He was sitting quietly enjoying the night sky. From the bush a kiwi emerged. Ian was hooked.

Ian came to New Zealand in 1998 as a backpacker. He was visiting all the small towns around the Country. Late 1998, Ian was dropped off at the turnoff to Okarito. It was raining, however, the first car picked Ian up and bought him into the village.
Intending to stay 2 nights then move on to the next small place something captured his heart. The love of Okarito life began.


Ian was lucky to be able to earn his board and keep, helping out at the local Motel/Backpacker.
11 years later and Ian has now built a house, bought out his long term partner and little Daisy is running round with the proud knowledge of being born on the West Coast.

In 1999, Ian became involved with the Department of Conservation after seeing his first kiwi. He started to volunteer his time on the local kiwi program. Since those beginnings he has gone onto to work with the majority of the kiwi species. He has had stints working on many remote Islands. One of them - Codfish Island, working with the 'Rarest' Parrot in the world, the Kakapo.

Ian and Wendy bought a small piece of land in Okarito in 2000. Not being affluent people, they had to return to the UK for 18 months for work their socks off. Arriving back at Heathrow with only 5 pounds between them, they both found work quickly and worked solid with the ultimate goal to return to Okarito in a year and a half. Working 3 jobs each, the goal was reached.

After returning to Okarito, Ian and Wendy set about building their house. Starting at the end of April 2004, they moved in by August !

Ian worked as a kayak guide for a couple of years, he decided he wanted to be self sustaining. Always a dream to take people out into the bush at night he approached DoC with his plans. Expecting to be laughed at and told to go away, he was surprised to be told that he was the right person to be undertaking the rarest job on the South Island!

Concessions in New Zealand are required to work in a National Park. They are notoriously slow to obtain and usually full of red tape and legal jargon. Ian applied for his concession in July 2006. His concession was granted by the Minister and he opened for business in September 2006. An incredible start to an incredible journey.

With a professional approach and the emphasis on low-key, low-impact guiding, Ian was hoping to achieve a 50% rate in seeing the rarest kiwi in the world. In the Season 2008-09 his success rate was an impressive 98%.

This year Ian was approached by the Oiled Wildlife Response Team. He has since taken up the position as 'Wildlife Expert' on the West Coast.

His passion will remain sharing the special environment with tourists and travellers. His main focus will always be the welfare of the kiwi. His trip involves not only seeing this rare bird but learning about what makes New Zealand the perfect home for these iconic birds.



Many of Ians visitors have shared their experiences on www.rankers.co.nz

Ian's tours operate all year round. His trips start around 1 hour prior to sunset at his office/house.

Bookings are essential as Ian takes a maximum of 10 people per night. Trips cost $60 per person

Please bring :
Warm, but, Quiet clothes ( NO WATERPROOFS )
Sturdy boots
Insect repellent
Great Attitude
Patience
Patience
Patience

Saved by the movie man in the velvet coat

There was not much to do in Hokitika, New Zealand, on a rainy Saturday evening in winter. You might admire the new Vice-Grip pliers you purchased that morning (most everything but the Tea Room shuts in the afternoon), but even for a west coast South Island town, the options were limited.

The options for my daughter and me expanded delightfully upon a chance encounter with a local during a break in the rain.

Luke Wagoner, framed in an open yellow-and-red art deco doorway, cut a dashing and exotic figure in a crushed-velvet smoking jacket and the style of beard fashionable in the 19th century. He was airing out his "cinema" and preparing for his evening's roles there as ticket taker, concessionaire, bartender, projectionist, host and owner.

From the outside, The Crooked Mile Talking Pictures looked like what it once was: a rural bank; an unremarkable two-storey cube located on the quiet - even for Hokitika - end of the long, doglegged main street. The theatre specialized in New Zealand and art-house films and was as far from the sticky-floored HumungoPlex experience as is imaginable.

Wagoner invited us in. The evening's film would soon be starting, but there was no rush: We were the only patrons. Eventually the "crowd" swelled to seven.

Seating was three rows of mismatched sofas and armchairs on risers. They were made homier by rainbow-coloured Afghan throw rugs and a motley assortment of pillows. The high ceiling was pressed tin, the walls mustard-coloured and adorned with hangings and gold leaf, the windows and the screen curtained in heavy red-velvet drapes. But it was chilly inside so we kept our coats on.

Wagoner owns the place and lives above the vault in the former bank manager's suite. He took our entry fee (about $8.50) and smiled proudly in the lamplight from behind an old oak concession counter that served as a bar. Yes, bar. We couldn't get popcorn, licorice, nachos or bucket-sized soft drinks, but we could get a glass of beer or wine.

Wagoner poured me a generous glass of a wonderful local white wine. My daughter and I split a slab of locally made organic chocolate as he told us a little about the place. He needed only four customers to make a go of it each evening. Digital is the cost-cutting key. A former projectionist, now he just slips in a DVD.

"Four customers is fine," he said, speaking quietly, almost shyly. "But more is better and we are fire-rated for 80." He judges success more by laid-back community standards. "People seem very happy to have it ...," he said, stopping to greet incoming patrons by name. The place does get crowded and hopping during occasional music events, which Wagoner also promotes.

The film was enjoyable, but it was the ambience that made the evening unique and memorable. Dad and daughter sunk into a big comfy leather couch, cozy under a large, handmade afghan as if we were at home in a rec room. We drank in the atmosphere (and more wine), nibbled chocolate and listened to the rain pelt against the frame walls.

The movie was long, but not long enough. At the conclusion, we said our goodbyes. We exited into the rain, knowing we would never see a film again in a theatre like The Crooked Mile Talking Pictures.

Article reproduced with kind permission from author Anthony Jenkins of The Globe and Mail, Canada.

A Match Made in Heaven

“Swade” Finch, born and raised in Titahi Bay near Wellington, NZ, has been living on the West Coast of the South Island for over 30 years. He spent 10 years as head guide at the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki south of the glaciers near Haast. Prior to that, he spent many years deep sea fishing in Alaska as well as crayfishing in the most interesting fashion off the West Coast of NZ with long time friend Barry Wyber (ask him how they launched the boat – that’s a great story!).

Guiding at the Lodge he spent much of his time with guests from around the world, showing them the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin, leading them on walks through the magnificent rainforest and entertaining them in the evenings as he transformed into chief bartender!

Paula Sheridan, born and raised in the extreme climes of Canada, came to New Zealand as a tour guide. Having spent some years in a remote part of British Columbia working at a luxury Helicopter Ski Resort, her interests moved to guiding guests through the Canadian Rockies by bicycle. She arrived on the shores of NZ in 2001 and she, along with many guests over the years, travelled by bicycle around the South Island, spending time at the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki along the way. You can see where this is heading!

Three years later, a gleam in Swade’s eye and a sparkle in Paula’s led them to agreeing to spending some time exploring the little known village of Okarito together. The quiet, remote village with its long stretches of beach along the wild coast was a haven for two guides to relax and yes, fall in love!

The next few years ensued with Paula’s return to Canada and back again and a few too many farewells being said on those same beaches of Okarito, so she decided to uproot from CanadaNew Zealand. Leaving the cycle tour business somewhat behind, she worked as a kayak guide in Okarito and set up home in a wee bach. It didn’t take long for her and Swade to combine forces and seize the opportunity to work together when the small eco-tourism based business of Okarito Boat Tours came up for sale.

Swade and Paula now live happily in a somewhat larger bach on the beach at Okarito. Running Okarito Boat Tours keeps them both in the guiding business sharing with their guests the magnificence of the scenery of the west coast and the birdlife on the Okarito Lagoon and River.

Paula, a yoga teacher and massage therapist, is also furthering her studies in natural therapies with reflexology, aromatherapy and Reiki and works out of her studio at home. She and Swade round out their busy schedule by managing the local campground in Okarito, and a holiday home for others looking to explore this quiet little village and the wonderful experiences it offers up.

They welcome you to come and explore this “magic” part of the coast of New Zealand and maybe even learn where “Swade” got his name – and that’s another story!

Veller, Fishing and Fun

The Piano accordian has been in Vellers arms since the age of ten.

The young Veller was encouraged by her Uncles in the Kokatahi band . Her family and friends always dragged her in front of a piano at social gatherings.

Now integral members of the band Veller and husband Roger, proudly wear the distinctive red uniform and plays the old-time music with the band.




The Kokatahi Band is a Cultural Icon, world famous on the West Coast. Every festival and get together on the coast features their unique performance. http://www.kokatahiband.com/

Veller and Roger are enthusiastic Archery Club members.
If you are also an archer you would be welcome to come along to the Sunday meetings with them.


Fishing Guide:
Veller can take you to a beautiful, quiet spot up the river to try for a Trout.

Gold Panning Guide:

Veller will show you how its done and take you to a likely spot.

 

Woof Woof - a marvellous little bird

Woof Woof has lived at Whanagrei Native Bird Recovery Centre since he was about 5 days old. When Robert Webb took him in he knew the little tui chick would never fly. Robert hoped the Tui would be of educational value for visitors, but at 2 years of age Woof Woof became a star... He named himself and began to talk. Woof Woof picks up commonly used phrases but has a startling moments where he directs visitors "around the other side and up the steps" to see the other birds on display. (Watch a video of Woof Woof talking below) "A Tui in captivity is a sorry sight" Robert cautions. "Tuis are specialist feeders and would not ususally survive in captivity long term. It just wouldn't work." Robert would hate to think that people would even try to catch a Tui as they have fragile long legs and claws. Robert discovered that Tuis were occasionaly kept at Maori Pa sites in the past. They were housed in Rata vine cages and were known talkers. The Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre is not about caging native birds but about rescuing and rehabilitating them back in to the wild. You can help to provide food and medicines for these birds. www.whanagreinativebirdrevovery.org.nz email nativebirdrecovery@xtra.co.nz Visit the centre: State highway 14 Maunu Whanagrei ph. 09 438 1457