Site icon Peter & Karen Pecksen

Culverden Region

peterpecksen

View from the lookout near Kaikoura.

We were able to take a break from our road trip for a two week house sit at a farmhouse near Culverden on New Zealand’s south island. Being on a farm that is located at the end of a road in the rural area truly gave us the opportunity to enjoy the peace and beauty that accompanies such a location.

The house sit was on a farm with several hundred cattle. We met many of them on our walks.
There were always sheep in view as well. However it was rare to get one to stay for a photo. Most of the time they ran off in droves when we approached.
Every day offered a different spectacle at sunrise and sunset. This day was a fog spectacular.

We did to do a couple of half day trips to explore areas near our house sit. The popular destinations of Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura did not disappoint.

We completed a couple of lovely walks around Hanmer Springs, including this one to the top of Conical Hill. You are able to get a handle on the sustainable logging they do in the area. It is neat to be in a country where trees grow quick enough to make this viable.
Karen enjoying the views from atop Conical Hill.
A reminder of home as we walked through the forest. Hundreds of Maple trees shining in the sunshine.
We discovered this hospital which was established in 2016 to help servicemen suffering from ‘shell shock’. The idea was a peaceful setting with recuperative hot springs to relax the men whose nerves were shattered from the experiences of the Great War.
For us, the best part of Kaikoura was the Fur Seals. They were plentiful and photogenic. The little baby in the top left corner was a little sad, as it appeared to have been abandoned and was not doing well. Sometimes nature, despite its’ beauty, can be rather harsh.
I particularly liked this one doing some yoga by the waters edge.
Back on the farm, our days were filled with serious games of skill….
Doing portraits of some of the locals….
And watching the farm managers’ dogs round up the livestock, while out walking the owners dogs. Life can be tough at times.
Of course, every day also consisted of watching our Canadian athletes competing in the Winter Olympics. As always, we flew our flag with pride.
Exit mobile version