Saturday morning Julee had me down to the Airport at six thirty. starting to get excited about my NZ trip with all my Hash House Harriers mates. Sixteen in all from Coffs Harbour and three hundred Hashers all up heading to Nelson in the South Island for Nash Hash.
I am flying direct from Brisbane to Wellington where I meet up with Crafty, HandFree, Quicky and Quickette. After I landed at wellington and started to head through Customs this bright orange shirt jumped out of the crowd and yelled “Pharlap, Pharlap were here” it was Handy at the front of the long customs line letting me know the group had just arrived from Sydney.
We all met up after our frisking by Customs and headed into Wellington. Mary (Fence Jumper) met us at the airport in her sisters Mecedes. Six people crammed into this this tiny car with all our luggage and fifteen litres of Duty free Alcohol. We all ended up at Mary’s sisters Mansion for Cocktails and nibblys. Quickie and Quickette headed off to a friends place for the next couple of days and Crafty and I booked into the Trinity Motel in Wellington. Mary took Crafty myself and Handy for a walk along the waters edge around Wellington that evening and then we found a nice Italian restaurant for Dinner.
Next day Mary and Handy picked up Crafty and I for a special locals only guided tour around Wellington. We started by driving around the Bay areas in wellington under the airport and then up into the hills to the wind turbines and a breathtaking walk down the side of the cliff to Macra. Mary gracefully picked us up at the bottom of the headland, Handy only fell on her arse once.
We headed off to Marys other sisters house for a drink at Macra and then back home absolutely stuffed from a huge day. Next day we all caught up with the Quicks for lunch in Wellington. Quickie, Quickette, Crafty and I headed out to the airport for our Flight to Christchurch. Fence Jumper and HandFree were catching the ferry on tuesday in Mary’s Mecedes motor home over to Picton. On arrival at Christchurch we picked up our Cruzy Campers and headed out of town to the first caravan park we could find. Set up camp and relaxed with a glass of red wine.
Next day we headed off in convoy to Hanmer Springs, booked into the Pines Caravan park and headed off to the hot springs for the next couple of hours. Completely refreshed we headed to the nearest pub and ordered a pint of Old Dark, the best black beer we have ever tasted according to Crafty. After four pints we all agreed it was getting better every mouthful. We had a very pleasant evening back at the Caravan park. Flaps turned up in his huge Camper for one and Crafty entertained us for the rest of the night.
Next day we headed off across country to Blenheim where we all had special permission to park the night at the racecourse. Campers started to arrive from everywhere and Racecourse started filling up. Luckless and Bill, Lifer and john, some from Newcastle…….A cocktail party was loosly organised by Quickette and a run which diddn’t happen. We all had fun pretending. Copious amounts of alcohol was consumed by all that night as the party carried on into the wee small hours of the morning.
Next morning Crafty and I headed into Blenheim town for Bacon and eggs and coffee. Used the internet at the local library and then headed off to Picton. Stopped at Picton for a coffee and sightsee and then headed for Canvastown where the FatCatz run was been held.
The drive between Picton and Canvastown was breathtaking….the scenery awesome….
We found the Trout Pub in Canvastown Where the FatCatz Run was to be held and parked out the back with about fifty other campers to get ready for the FatCatz run. Rego $45 that gave us a T shirt and two pies and three beers. Breakfast $15. The run or rather the walk headed down along the river for about a K and then stopped for a drink stop in the rapids and a rough circle was formed for the customery downs. The party continued into the night for some. Next morning at 8am we headed to the pub for brekky then hopped into our vans and headed off to Pinedale Caravan Park for New Zealand Nash Hash. Friday Night, Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Eight K down the road we turned into Pinedale Caravan Park beside the river and set up camp for the NZ Nash Hash. Crafty was the first into the freezing water and others soon followed. A nany nap was then in order before rego at about 4pm then all food and grog free for the weekend.
A green cooler bag with goodies inside was given away at rego. we found the Pinot Noir and headed back to our van where a party soon formed.
Next morning we were up at sparrow fart except Flaps. A mushy breakfast of sausages, baked beans and boiled eggs and other stuff I can’t name were served up from seven am. The runs started about nine thirty, the Ball Breaker run went first with the true athletes then the 10K and 5K and walkers. Down to the river we all headed and up a sheer cliff face t’words the hills. Mass confusion happened then and everybody ran into each other as we tried to find the trails.
I got completely and utterly lost with three female hashers (not planned) Cocoa Channel,…..,……
We finally found a fence in a huge paddock and followed the fence line to the main road, we kept walking until we found the entrance to the camp and enjoyed a cold ale and a swim in the river.
The circle was formed and the Down Downs and naming started happening.
Lifers John was named by NZ Hash as Cinderella, HandFree was called out to down for sleeping around and Crafty had to down with Handy on a mattress for not sleeping with Handy.
Drinking competitions, boat races soon followed and the party cranked up. We all sat out the back of our van and continued our own party. I went to bed after copious amounts of red wine and the others danced the night away at the party in the big tent.
Sunday morning started slowly as we started to pack up, We all agreed to head to Nelson and were out of the Pines caravan park by about 11 am We all said goodbye to New Zealand Nash for another couple of years. The next one will be in the North Island.
We got about ten K down the road and found the first coffee shop we could for a much missed Cuppachino then headed off again in convoy to Nelson. The scenery down the West coast of NZ is as spectacular as the East Coast. We all booked into the Nelson City Caravan Park, had a nice shower and did loads of washing. Some steaks and salad were purchased at the supermarket and we had a BBQ and drank copious amounts of red wine and Bundy and coke.
Today Monday will be a rest day in Nelson and tomorrow we are heading to the Buller Gorge 14K west of Murchison to walk over the Swing bridge and a experience a Jet boat ride up the Gorge.