Welcome Flat Hot Springs

The first stop after our Beaconstone departure was the natural wonder of the Welcome Flat hot springs.

26 kilometres south of Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, the hike to the hot springs is the first section of the technically-demanding Copland Track. We aggressively hiked the 17-kms to the springs in 5.45 hours – lots of rock-hopping alongside the Copland River, and many flood/swing bridges (we were lucky…it hadn’t rained in a while).

Our sore feet and backs were rewarded with four natural hot pools with temperatures hovering around 35 degrees Celsius. Relaxing in the hot water, surrounded by the Copland range and big blue sky is definitely one of our NZ highlights. What wasn’t as enjoyable was sleeping in the hut with 21 other trampers.

 

Where legends are born

All good things have to come to an end. On Saturday April 28, we departed the eco-beauty of Beaconstone and the good company of Nancy and Grae. 31 days went quickly. But that’s what happens when legends are born: surfing at Tuaranga, coffee and cake at The Bay House, marathon card games, sunsets and star-filled nights, the beauty of the Paparoas, Jack’s pizza and meatballs, and a healthier, alternative way to live.

 

A good keen man

 

Beaches of the West Coast

Drew at Waimangaroa; Sunset at Karamea, the end of the road.

  

 

Te Waikoropurpu Springs

Known to locals as ‘Pupu’ springs, the water here is the clearest we’ve ever seen. Drew tried to capture it digitally but we aren’t sure it does it justice. The springs are considered a treasure to Maori both locally and nationally. They provide water for healing, and in the past were a place of ceremonial blessing at times of birth and death, and the leaving and returning of travellers.

 

 

 

 

Natural amenities and Drew surfs

We came to stay a night, and now it’s been two weeks. We are yet again WWoofing, this time at an off-the-grid slice of heaven on the West Coast called Beaconstone. The owners Grae and Nancy are incredible people with incredible life stories. No, it isn’t organic farming (that is still on our hit list) but it is the path to a sustainable lifestyle.

And our lives just may change dramatically. Drew had his first surfing lesson yesterday, from a former New Ziwi longboard champion at beautiful and quiet Tauranga Bay. Photos to follow. He says to me during the car ride home: This is the first day of the rest of our lives. Isn’t 30 too old to be a surfer chick? (Robin Stewart, an old Guelph friend currently surfing on the North Island would definitely say ‘no’.)

 

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!!

On another rainy day, we are nestled into Shambhala (link to site), just outside Takaka on Golden Bay. We spent the night at Totaranui Beach camping but were woken by wild winds at about 4:00 a.m. that still haven’t let up. The view from our room is attached below.We plan on doing an Irish jig and downing some pints of green beer tonight at the popular Mussel Inn. Our first night “out” in weeks. Drew’s pretty darn excited. I hope the glow worms can guide us back in the dark to Shambhala.

Good luck on your driving test Mira.