After a final night of Sprig and Fern beer and BS in Nelson it was high time to check out the wilderness that this nation is famous for. A long, tortuous drive to the Mount Arthur region led to a soggy slog that will hopefully be better several months from now. In fact, a small crew of DOC rangers were working on digging drainage trenches next to the track, the only other souls on my overnight trek. My timing was fortuitous as I aided in the extraction of the trenching device from a little accident on a steep slope, requiring grunting, sweating, and the questionable use of gasoline in combustible places. I instantly became enamored by the legendary DOC hut system after a storm rolled through in the night, which was charming in a shelter but likely unbearable in a tent. Incidentally, the Fanella hut had a few issues of the Economist lying about, shockingly highbrow for a shack in the bush.
Sunnier weather awaited me in the absolutely gorgeous seaside village of Kaikoura, where one could possibly ski in the morning and swim with dolphins in the afternoon. Whilst climbing Mt Fyffe I happened upon the University of Canterbury Extreme Ironing Team, whose primary objective is to photograph themselves ironing in bizarre locales and positions. Obviously intrigued, I tagged along for the rest of the day, gaining insight into a gaining international phenomenon, right up there with Kambucha brewing and eco tourism. When you get tired of Kayaking and diving and feral goat hunting expeditions (at a mere $225 pp), you can always slip into the Strawberry Tree pub and have a pint of their Sheep Shagger Lager and see outstanding live acts like Urban Tramper.
Labour Day weekend over, it's on to Christchurch to seek labor of my own.
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