The mighty FV Impulse 2 drops anchor after a recent support & savage mission along the coast. These guys have been supporting beach cleans ups & local communities for multiple generations. They even brought our first tv to the bay. I can still remember trundling off down the beach on the back of dad’s little tractor as a little kid going to collect this huge tv which was rowed ashore by Geoff from his then fishing boat. The TV was a great addition to the family home as Dad played a lots of exciting live music concerts like Queen live at Wembley ‘86, the Traveling Wilburys, Live Aid, Van Morrison and many more plus great shows like The Living Planet by David Attenborough. It’s always good to see the crew of the Impulse passing by.
Mum first moved to Big Bay in 1969. It was the last week of the whitebait season so her and Dad went for a hike to Martin’s Bay. They meet Daina Hunter along the way and then Sharon Hallet in Martin’s Bay and made lasting friendships. She was particularly taken at the time with Sharon, who while only in her late teens was very happy living an adventurous wilderness life with Keven and their daughter Sandy who was just a baby at the time. Mum said it made a big impression on her seeing how happy and adventurous they were with a young family. Today Sandy’s nephew Jord dropped by for the first time, it’s cool to see the connections continuing.
Great to spend the day catching up with Gav yesterday. The Hollyford conservation trust is doing a fantastic job protecting the flora and fauna of northern Fiordland. Relying on volunteers like Gav who had just spent 8 days baiting traps around the tops of the Sara Hills, a great effort and a fantastic way to bring back bird song to our native forests. @hollyfordconservationtrustnz
Some amazing autumn weather has rolled in over the past couple of weeks & in the most remote corner of one of the most remote countries on the planet sit some beautiful waves for those keen to embrace the adventure.
Two of my oldest and dearest friends Don & Robert. Robert, Beansprout, walked through and met our parents in the 80’s and instantly became a part of our family from that day on. He’s been
an influential friend & uncle through the entire journey.
Dobbie, Dad and Dale had all moved out to the bay in ‘68 forming a long friendship of wilderness living. Dad had no idea what Whitebaiting was at that time and was all about the great red deer hunt going on. When offered a whitebait stand by another by another local moving back to Haast Dad was indifferent. Dob on the other hand knew Whitebaiting well from the mighty Clutha River. His words were clear and simple “make sure you accept the blimmin thing”. Very valuable words once the venison industry crept away. Dob was like that my entire life, his kindness, humour & ability to stay grounded always made you feel seen, heard, his laughs helped any possible stresses melt away.
His words of advice in those early days & relentless friendship, plus Robs choices of wilderness living helped to keep connection to land and environment and the dream alive. Hearts are full with good people in your life.
