Wildfoods Hokitika Part 2

This is definitely the bike I wish to take to Nelson after Hokitika Wildfood Festival to do my 4 day Taste Trail with my Whitianga Tramping Group friends! I had to take a picture of it to send off to them in advance of my arrival!

How do we top off this visit! Proceed in the general direction of the centre of town where we have chosen to seek out the Speight's Ale House in downtown Greymouth for refreshments and dinner, followed by some great reminiscing of our day's activities.
This was topped off by a walk back to our lodge since the evening was so pleasant but this did not meet everyone's idea of fun! We were lucky first shot though to find our street and lodging just as everyone was starting to believe I was leading them on a wild goose chase in the middle of the night!

Next morning we were collected then dropped off at the airport by Evan, as he was en route to open his workshop, and so competed our wonderful visit to Greymouth with Evan being advised " we'll be back again next year"!....

This was to be the parting of our ways though as Doug and Bob had decided that the risk of being caught halfway back to home Base in Auckland and Whitianga was too great to take in the Wildfood Festival and still get home before cyclone Hola hit the North Island. So it was wish them luck and bid them safe travels as Murray and I repacked out aircraft for the journey back to Hokitika for our day at the Wildfood Festival where Murray was waiting to take us to the event.

Fine morning weather greeted us at the Greymouth Airport so we were both looking forward to the event and the short flight to Hokitika. Arriving shortly afterwards we parked up for the day with other aircraft attending the event and were transported the short distance down the slope to the Domain that the event is held in each year. Being early was beneficial as it allowed us to wander at leisure around all of the stalls before the crowds arrived. First up, right near the entrance, was the opportunity to sample some of the sought after White Bait fritters and although a little early, after breakfast, the temptation was too good to miss. They were right up to expectations too and worth the wait to taste them. The atmosphere was very much like my last visit with temperatures just right, little wind and a bright sky.

Wandering around the stalls we observed the fun event first hand with the enthusiastic crowd dressing up for the day and the variety of food stalls tempting passers by with their offerings. I think mountain oysters was next on the tasting circuit so away we went to collect the sampling. And a whole lot better tasting than what was expected, so I reckon another one of these Wildfood events next year should be just fine.....especially if the Wilderness Trail is added the the event plan?

Murray Bowes not only collected us from Hokitika airport but also dropped us down to the Festival, while he disappeared on other errands for the morning, but we did catchup with him later as we found him wandering around the grounds on his "chat circuit". Being laid back in the festival atmosphere allowed a great view of the RNZAF display team who created a stir in the morning bright sky as they buzzed in for a display sequence which eventuated with a landing at Hokitika.

The morning passed by quickly and since Murray was back on the festival grounds we thumbed a lift back up the hill to prepare for our next leg to Murchison, before the sun set in the West.

Bidding Murray B farewell, Murray C and I started engines and departed for Greymouth initially, then up the Grey River northwards to Murchison. Spotting a green Bantam on the Tarmac at Greymouth I thought I may have spied Evan taking the afternoon off and going for a fly in his machine. Thereafter it was to enjoy the great afternoon weather that prevailed in the valley. I did spy an interesting location to launch kayaks from and paddle back down to Greymouth so have put this "on the list for future adventures". Heck, If only I can fit this into next year's southern excursion along with the West Coast Wilderness Trail, it could turn out to be a real Southern Fly Away😎

Tracking along the Grey River was a top excursion and the altitude gain required reminded me that this was quite a different location than the North Island environment we had come from and it was also great to fly this in wonderful weather that permitted the sightseeing flight we were on. Murray Callister and Murray Bowes, this was a great way to depart Hokitika and go northbound to Murchison.

Fine weather made this a trip to remember and it was great to be able to descend from a high altitude into the Murchison environment, as a flight of two, in smooth conditions to survey the aerodrome and make successful landings. This is truely a wonderful memory of the southern adventure with our subsequent tie downs and "foot falcon" journey into Murchison, to top off the great day we had had. The Murchison Aerodrome sign encompasses the spirit of our adventure👍

Yet the adventure has not stopped! The sun was still relatively high in the sky, the air temperature very comfortable, the scenery, as we walked over the highway bridge, encompassing the joy of the whole day's adventure. It was in fine spirits that we entered the Hampden Hotel for our afternoon cup of coffee and cakes and sat in the sunny garden bar at the back of the cafe, to reflect on our day.

Engaging with Leigh at the counter as we requested " is there any accomodation available here tonight?" was the sort of experience that I am always in awe of and excited about. Looking over her shoulder I could see a framed poster that talked about the world we were now in. " Yes, we have a double with ensuite or double without ....priced accordingly! "Murray and I looked at each other.....momentarily mentally reviewed our last week of camping, no showers, sleeping bags, foursome rooms with toilets down the hallway, last night on adventure ...then return our mutual agreement " the one with the ensuite thanks Leigh"😀👍

That was the right decision, as we deposited our gear in the rooms and returned for a beer at the bar and reflected on the relaxed environment we had found ourselves in, once again, as the sun set slowly in the west. After a couple of sundowners, I was ready for an afternoon walk around the environment finishing with a wander around the secondhand store opposite the pub. An interesting township of a rural environment that I had not spent time in over the years, yet I Always enjoyed this sort of exploration. Deciding that I needed nothing from the secondhand store I observed that Murray had also entered for a wander and ponder of the display items and also had reached the same conclusion so it was off for a local wander of the nearby environs before returning to the Hampden for our evening meal.

Our last night of adventure was very relaxed as our dinner and wine led us into watching TV sport at the bar which allowed me to escape on another walking adventure of Murchison by night, looking through shop windows, reading signs on museums, checking out camp grounds, and ending at the Mobil Service Station, Opposite the Hampden, for a late espresso before closure. Ah, returning to the Hampden, I was surprised to see Murray appearing on the steps of the Hampden with a Liqueur in hand, as I was ready to sit on the outdoor tables to enjoy my coffee. A couple of liquors later and coffee all done it was retire for the night to await the morning adventure.

Meantime Bob and Doug were having their own adventure northbound before the coming storm...

Having decided to skip the Wildfoods Festival and head home early Saturday, to avoid the approaching cyclone heading for the North Island,  refuelling at Motueka along the way, had Bob finding an oil leak under his Carbon Cub, coming from an engine rocker cover drain. He was not prepared to cross Cook Strait in that condition and an attempt to repair it did not work. He located a replacement part in Omaka so they both headed off in the Storch to collect it crossing 4-5000' mountains on the way. The part was duly collected and they flew back to Motueka so it was about 4pm when the Cub was ready to fly. A calm flight over Cook Strait under the watchful eye of Wellington radar had them landing at Paraparaumu about sunset. A totally deserted airport greeted them, with six foot high security fences to leave through but no codes allowing reentry! Bob was unable to find accomodation due to some rugby match being played there during the day and so there was no choice but to Pup tent under the wing for Bob and sleep in the Storch for Doug! This "boys own" adventure was followed next morning by breakfast in town, a fuel stop at Wanganui then a quick flight northwards to Te Kowhai where they parted company for Ardmore and Whitianga respectively. Ah, what a great way to adventure south then safely return north before the storm arrived next day!

Breakfast for Murray and I, at the cafe along the street next morning, filled in the time as a foggy morning had dawned, just as had been mentioned in the bar the night before. There was no haste to get airborne so it was a slow paced start with a walk out to the airstrip under the fog which was not far above us, but clear on the road. I was visualising the rafting, kayaking and biking adventures that could be done from Murchison base camp and wondered when I could next be back here to enjoy these activities.

Packing our gear back into our aircraft Murray and I bade each other farewell, after enjoying a week of adventure together, allowing me to be first airborne to explore the valley at low level. Seeking the gap appearing to the east of the township I popped up into clear blue sky to see the wonderful view of the steep sides mountains surrounding Murchison as our departure gift. Murray continued on to Omaka to refuel for his hop across Cook Strait and on to Masterton while I turned north for Wagner Strip, for my next adventure.

A Beautiful morning with a little fog in the valleys had me descending into Bob's place without any difficulty, on the time texted through to the cycle team I was joining for my next four day exploration of the Tasman region.

Bob came over soon after shut down as I tied Mike Alpha Lima to the ground in front of his home. Chatting away as we completed this task I found that the ordered bicycle and panniers had been delivered this morning, as planned, and after a quick review of a U tube movie of aircraft landing at Awaroa strip, I wandered off to pack my gear into the panniers, adjust the seat and pedalled off down the drive to join up with my 3 ladies team of cyclists who were enroute from Nelson.

Part 2 ends....

Wally the Wanderer....