Welcome to the Neighbourhood

My friends had just moved to Ongaonga and, on the spur of the moment, I popped in to say hello. "Popped in" is a 30 minute drive - 50kms, but that's how it works in the country sometimes. It was a Friday night and they were off to the local pub for fish and chips. They had it on good authority that the fish and chips at the local were something of a treat.

As we walked into the pub there was the usual turn of the heads, it was obvious we weren't from around these parts (according to the gathered masses). This is a common phenomenon in small communities where the pub is the hub of the social activity. I am always reminded of the movie Deliverance when I encounter this group behaviour. Anyway, we nodded and one bloke did say hello which we acknowledged. There was a pretty good group in for a Friday night. We made our way to the bar and we all ordered beers. The girls made our way round to the servery and checked out the fish and chip menu. Pretty standard stuff and easy to make a choice. Meanwhile Chris, the husband, had introduced himself to the barmaid and mentioned that they had just moved to the area. He proceeded to introduce his wife and me to the barmaid and we all then took our beers to our chosen spot.

The local store, petrol station, post office

Hadn't been there more than 5 minutes and an older chap comes over, introduces himself and welcomes us to the community. He struck up a conversation, knew the house that my friends had just bought, knew some of the history, had been in the area more than 25 years and so on. He ended up having his pre-ordered meal with us and promising to get another local round to my friend's house to show them how to use the wood fired oven that takes pride of place in their dining room. She loves to cook and is very keen to go back to some country style cooking.

A few minutes after this gentleman introduced himself another, younger local came up. Heard we were new in town, welcomed us AGAIN and started up a conversation. He is relatively new in town, only been there 10 months but is a Hawkes Bay boy so he is considered a local. During our value packed fish and chip meal (which did live up to its reputation) the older bloke, let's call him Bill, pointed out other locals in the pub. There was an ambulance rush by, the local fire volunteers were signalled to help and Bill continued to talk about the area. Pretty typical night really.

There were no airs and graces in this pub and everyone was so friendly. I happened to walk into the male bathrooms, by mistake, and quickly retreated to find the locals pointing out the right door and assuring me that I wasn't the first person to have made that mistake. This particular pub was the centre of a nasty incident not all that long ago and it is a source of acute embarrassment for the township. From the outside you could be forgiven for thinking that, perhaps, it was a rough little meeting place but, on the inside, it is the heart of a very proud and close community.

The Museum - pub's across the road.

If you're travelling down State Highway 50 and feel a need for a cold beer. Drop in. You can't miss it. The pub is opposite the Historical Display Village and Museum. Say hello to Bill. I'm sure he'll be there - unless he's home baking his 'world famous' fruit cakes made with a secret recipe.

THE BEST.......probably should say the fish and chips but it was really the down to earth, no nonsense, friendliness of the locals.

THE WORST.....probably the wine selection. Don't ask for the wine list - there isn't one. Just look in the fridge and assume that the white wines are probably either a chardy or a savvy!

I'M LEARNING......never, ever judge a book (or a local pub) by its cover, and Deliverance was just a movie and is not alive and well in rural New Zealand.

Why You Don't Need To Leave Home

I have been fortunate to travel to many parts of this great world. But as I get older I appreciate more and more the beauty and adventure we have on our very own doorstep. A few months ago I, again, saw just how breathtaking and accessible to everyone our lovely little country is. I combined my love of travel and photography with a Photography Workshop in the Marlborough Sounds.

Those of you who know me well know that I don't 'camp'. When I go away I like to treat myself in as many ways as possible and this trip was certainly no exception. In fact it was the epitome of everything that I love about my travel experiences.

I was with a group of photography enthusiasts at a resort, Bay of Many Coves, in Arthurs Bay in the Queen Charlotte Sound. We had the resort to ourselves. But even more than the delights of the resort we had the most amazing trip out from Picton. The weather gods were on our side and we had blue skies, nil wind and calm seas. Have to admit it was a little on the 'brass monkey' side temperature wise. Our specially chartered launch took over an hour to make a 40 minute trip as we snapped a myriad of local Sounds wildlife - seals, birds and a very energetic group of dolphins that cavorted around our boat for over half an hour.

Waterside 'Media Base' and resort

At the resort we were greeted by a very welcoming team and shown to our rooms. OMG. Views to die for, bedroom and huge bathroom top notch and as warm as toast.  Our group had a 'media base' in the waterside cafe that usually serves local boaties and neighbours but was closed for our weekend. We had an amazing and entertaining tutor, Simon Woolf, who made sure we were immersed all weekend long. As if that wasn't exciting enough, the food and dining was simply sublime. Canapes and cocktails each night and, on the Saturday night, an eight course degustation meal with matching wines that could have graced any 5 star restaurant. Safe to say that the morning after  the photography wasn't quite as sharp as the previous days.

It was the unexpected that really sealed the surreal nature of the weekend. On Saturday the "mail boat" came out and had a hour to spare so took a few of us on a cruise around the Sound to see some of the beautiful, and highly inaccessible, holiday homes as well as the local cormorants and other wildlife. The following day a helicopter dropped off a glass crushing machine to the resort (most access has to be by water or air) and ended up taking some of us on 10 minute flights of the Marlborough Sounds. I saw Wellington to the North and the snow capped mountains to the South. I was speechless.

What was a three day weekend seemed more like a week. We all left enthused, exhausted and, for me, absolutely enthralled with this part of the world. How fortunate I was. And how fortunate you could also be. Just "Nike It" my friends. You won't be disappointed.

THE BEST......everything. The weather, the company, the food, the location, the experience.

THE WORST...okay, a couple of things. One, I had to come home. Two, as usual, where was the man to make the most of the romantic setting. One day!

I'M LEARNING......you don't have to have a passport to see the true wonders of the world. Check out your own doorstep.

My room was in the apartment in centre of photo!