Doctor D. Down Under

Day # 1 Totaranui -  South Island " So, the water is only supposed to be knee deep as we cross." said Alec, our young guide.  She had led groups in the Abel-Tasman National Park before, but this was her first season back this year.  It had been raining a lot, the skies heavy and overcast, and the tide was out; the boat we saw in the distance looked to be grounded.  It was meant to be our transport across the inlet at Awaroa, and on the other side was a short walk to our lodging for the night. There were four of us travelers, plus Alec who was a New Zealander, but had been raised on the islands of Vanawatu.  We had all met earlier that morning from our various pick-up points in Nelson, and been transported by coach bus to Kaiteriteri.  Along the way we introduced ourselves, N. and J. from Cambridge in the U.K., and S. who came from Glencoe, practically in my back yard.  The others had been to New Zealand previously.  They were as eager as I t...

Farming in Taihape or How I Met the Bull Everyone has some connection to farming, either because you are a farmer, married to a farmer, do business with farmers.  And farms here usually mean sheep, cattle, sometimes horses, sometimes fruit trees.  The vineyards tend to be toward the coastal, warmer areas,  and New Zealand does produce fine wines. I wish that I had had a first hand chance to see shearing or docking tails, but I did get to visit a farm. Antonia,  a physician at Taihape Health, lives with her husband and two children about 25 minutes north of Taihape--her husband's family farm.  They raise  about 4-500 bulls and 1000 sheep.  They have 3 herding dogs, and an older one who is more of a pet now.  They also have and enjoy fresh eggs.  I buy fresh eggs for $5/dozen from one of the nurses who has about 30 chickens.  The only chicken she eats comes from the supermarket. Antonia & Nicholas's dogs live in kennels close to...