A really long one because I’m playing catch up. I have to figure out where all the libraries are now that I’m back in the North Island.
Cousin Anne made it and man is she a trooper for flying over 14 hours and still being very lively when she landed. Cousin Anne is amazing she was my 1st introduction into Maggie’s family back in Boston, not to say that the rest of Maggie’s family is not amazing it’s just that Anne is the best! I forced her to be a friend and she took it like a champ coming to most outings I invited her to!
Poor Cousin Anne had to hit the ground running. We picked her up from the airport around 6:30 pm and immediately had to drive 2 hours to Fairlie. The next morning we went to the Fairlie Bakehouse because supposedly they have the best pies in the south island (so says Ben’s roommate Jack and the sign on the welcome window). They were actually so tasty and this is coming from and American who really does not like meat pies. Then we had to show Anne Lake Tekapo and luckily it was amazing weather. Anne actually turned out to be really good luck. It was suppose to be crap weather all week but somehow it all turned around and we had amazing weather the whole time!
We met up with Larisa in Kurow because this would be the last time we saw her until she makes her way to the States. We ended up eating and chatting in a café for 4 hours and of course we had to get Anne some New Zealand ice cream (Anne was a participant in my self-guided eating tour of NYC. We passed up bars and cool people activities in order to eat some amazing food and it was worth it. So Anne is on the Paggie eating bandwagon. We have even started planning another self-guided eating tour of NYC. Just another reason why Anne is the best).
Next up was our favorite place we have ever been, The Gibson’s farm. We were originally really concerned that Cousin Anne would not want to be a shepherd and would rather see some tourist sights, but as it turns out she was so game! She got to feed the baby cows with Maddie, see the pug puppies (they now look like little potatoes) and the huntaway puppies, and of course enjoy some of the most amazing food provided by chef Mama Gibson. We had mutton, venison, and amazing kumra mash. The next morning it was shepherd time!
We went out with Gibby, officially our favorite Kiwi, and we got to see all the dogs in action. Maggie was so happy that Anne was here because this meant she wouldn’t have to open any gates. It was a nice game Gibby and I would play when Maggie sat in the front to see how many times we could make her get out of the car to open and shut gates. We were actually sort of helpful this time out, we moved a fence so that the sheep could get their weekly ration of food. Every time we go to the Gibson’s we think this literally can not get any better, but then it does…every freaking time! Last time we came Gibby let us hold a lamb even though we weren’t suppose to this time I got to catch a baby lamb. So Ewes can be the worst mums. They tend to steal other ewe’s babies before they have their own then when they have their own babies they abandon the one they stole and he no longer has a mum because the original mum won’t take him back. It’s all so sad really. This time there happened to be an ewe that had triplets or somehow stole a lamb. You cannot have 3 babies to one mama or else they will all be malnourished. So we had to watch very carefully to make sure there wasn’t a mistake because lambs are not the smartest either they will run get lost and separated from their mum quite easily. We, well mostly Gibby, figured which one was the triplet and he told me to hop out of the car and snatch it. It would now become a pet lamb until they could mother it to a different ewe. So I did what I was told and I abducted a baby lamb. He was so cute and I loved him. Maddie gave him the name Fergus.
They put a little blanket on the lamb made out of wool. These Kiwi’s are so smart that they made these little blanket so that it essentially dissolves so that if the babies need it out in the field the shepherd doesn’t have to worry about catching the lamb again to take it off or that it might get tangled up in it. We left little Fergus so he could get some sleep. Then we headed to the Gibson’s river because their river has rattling rocks. (I know they really have everything) These rocks are molten lava rocks that cooled real fast so it has air pockets with other small rocks inside so they rattle when you shake them, very cool. After finding some rocks we took Anne next door to Narnia, or as the Kiwis’s call it the Elephant Rocks. They shot the 1st movie right in Maddie’s backyard.
When we got back to the house the day got even better, if you an believe it, Gibby had brought another pet lamb whose mum abandoned it so now Ferguson has a friend, Thomas. We got to feed the baby lambs their dinner. What usually happens is lambs won’t want to drink right away because they have only ever known their mamas so it takes them a day to get use to the bottle. But not my main man Fergus he sucked down a whole bottle and a half, I knew we were kindred spirits when I snatched him.
We wanted to take Anne to Fat Sally’s because that salad is amazing. But it turned out that Oamaru was happening that night and Fat Sally’s was fully booked so we had to make reservations at The Last Port. Before dinner we took Anne to go penguin searching. Now because Anne is amazing she also loves penguins, like favorite animal took a gap year to go help them in South Africa love. Luckily there were more penguins at the pier than we had ever seen. Anne really was our good luck charm. We ended the day eating a great meal with Maddie and Jacob. We had all decided that this was the best day we had ever had, ever. Anne said her trip was made, everything could go to shit and she would still count the trip as a win.
We went back to the Gibson’s this meant we got 2 nights of a bed and 2 straight days of showers. The next morning we said our goodbyes. It was so sad saying goodbye to those people, that place, and those experiences. Imagine a place that is 100 times better than you favorite place and then imagine having to leave it to never see it again. Tragic.
We made our way through Lindis Pass, which for the 1st time was not ugly. We grabbed some of my beloved chocolate and cheese naan in Cromwell and then went to Queenstown to grab some Fergburger. I told you our trips always turn into an eating tour. It was a great last time at Fergburger the cashier ended up throwing my milkshake and fries and extra fries in for free! Then we settled in for our long journey up the west coast, we now hate the west coast we have done it far too many times. And again we almost ran out of gas so we actually had to back track to get gas because of course the west coast can’t keep a gas station opened passed 6:30 pm heaven for bid. We made it to Franz Josef and of course rain, it’s always raining on the west coast. I had to wear 3 pants 2 socks and 3 sweaters along with 2 sleeping bags to keep warm. We got up the next morning to pass through Hokitika. That way Anne was able to get herself some greenstone and we were all able to buy Speight’s beer sweatshirts at Farmlands. Then we were off to go see the nelson lakes and luckily this time there were no sand flies.
We slept close to the Abel Tasmen and then the next morning we went to go see the Farewell Spit. It was such a winding road and one hard right turn and the eggs went flying, so needless to say we lost all by 3 or so eggs. We went to the furthest northern point of the south island where it was stunning. But there were sheep very close to the edge of the cliff it was very Far from the Madding Crowd. Then we did a hike to see a lighthouse because we love a lighthouse. However this lighthouse was so disappointing but that’s ok because the view was amazing!
The next day we were going to do the Abel Tasman, one of the great walks. We were a little let down by the walk, mostly because we assumed we would be walking next to the beach and seeing the really pretty blue water. That is not the case the only time you are really close to the water is when you camp up. The whole reason we even did the hike was to go to the Fat Tui where they serve a super large ice cream cookie sandwich. We were so looking forward to it but when we finally came to the front of the building it was closed. Do you hear that, that’s hearts breaking.
The next morning we hopped on the ferry to go back to the north island. We sadly waved goodbye to our beloved south island. Maggie got a widow seat at the front and didn’t spew once, we were all so proud. Once in Wellington we got a shower and did the only thing to do in Wellington, drink beer. We went to the Garage Project and Fork Brewing. We spent the night in Taupo, mostly so we could get the good crepes in the morning. The it was off to Hobbiton.
This is the best stout I have had in NZ.
Both Maggie and Anne are huge fans of the Lord of the Rings…I am not so much. I was dragged here. It did turn out to be quite a good tour and the farm itself is worth the ticket it’s so beautiful. I of course got singled out by the tour guide and of course Maggie made it known to everyone that it’s not that I hadn’t seen the films but I actually don’t even liked them. So yeah I felt a little scared for my life and that maybe I might have a mob after me. The tour was quite fun and the guide even gave Anne a piece of the set. I asked more questions about the sheep and the family that owned the land than anyone asked about the actual movie. The tour guide said that on the left there is a property of land worth millions and you are over here admiring the sheep on the right. What did he expect of me there were babies. I did in the end school this man with my dinosaur knowledge, so I’m counting it as a win for me.
The next morning I dropped off Maggie and Anne at the airport. I am now all-alone, I guess it’s time to go make some friends!
End Notes
If you are a woofer look up the Gibson’s they are in Duntroon on Earthquakes road. You will not be disappointed; it’s literally heaven on earth.
Mama Gibson is officially a New Zealand resident. She took the test or what not in the beginning of September.
We later found out that Fergus has found a new mama!
My IT band is not doing so hot; I can’t wait for those physical therapy sessions.
I have somehow lost my belt. I loved that belt, and I kind of really need it.
I will be coming back very mousy, sorry mum. Maggie even made a comment about it. She said “yeah you really don’t look great when your hair is all dark brown”. Sorry I didn’t really get a summer and hats are essential to survival here so dark hair it is.
I miss the Gibsons.
These are the Amazing Gibsons. We never actually got to meet Angus, Maddie's brother, but I'm sure he's nice too. He lives in Canada now. They are the hardest people to round up so they might not look over enthused in the photo but trust me they are all super loving, amazing, and funny people! When taking family photos Gibby always makes sure to get the boars head in!