Hello everybody! I only have time for a real quick one but I will do my best. I am currently in Karamea in the west coast of the south island. The internet is expensive and slow and there is no cell coverage so I can not do this from my iPad. All that aside it has been a great week of fun. I left Greymouth with out a tour of the brewery because they wont be resuming those till next month. I decided that the best thing to do was head out and go to Westport. This is another west coast town but what I considered more established as a larger town. It is a coal mining and logging town with its roots in hard work. My first day there was plesant, I did a few walks and finally finished my "Game of Thrones" series of books. The next day I did some driving and poking around town to see what the essence of the town was. Its a great coastal town with a lot of pride in their industry. A small gem of the town is The West Coast Brewery. Since I missed out on Montieths in Greymouth I though this would be a great chance to see a brewery. I showed up for a 330 guided tasting. The brewery is a small operation with 4 fermenters. I sat and spoke with Grant as he went about his duties around the place. We talked for a while and the beer was great. Around 430 or so the locals who just got off work started showing up for a beer and to fill their jugs of beer to take home. One of the reasons for the large crowd was the lead story in the paper. The Brewery will be sold and most likely closing. This was a huge bummer because this is where these dudes hang out and they make good beer. It was Wednesday and thats when the fellas get together for a BBQ. U guessed it I was invited! It was a great time to be hosted by fun locals to cook, drink beer and hang out. The subject of my accommidations came up and it was decided that I could stay at one of the guys pieces of property along the coast. Fish is a great guy who, that night, told me how to get there and gave me the keys to the house. I was flattered. That night I walked back to the holiday park and decided to move camp the next day. This was great because the holiday park is nice but there are a few long term residents. Most kept to themselves and were nice but this park had a cat lady, living in a bus. I counted 6 cats of all shapes and sizes when the dinner bell was rung. I was stoaked to leave, and I was going to one of the nices places I have ever seen. For two nights I crashed out at Fish's land. Great views of the ocean and a formation of rocks called the steeples. On friday night I walked down to the local tavern to have a beer with Fish. I met a lot more local folks. Westcoasters, as they are called, are great folks. Down to earth people who work hard, play hard and appreciate what they have. Come saturday I decided it was time for me to move my circus to another town. I headed up to Karamea. The end of the road so to speak on the west coast and the start of one of the great walks. It rained for a while but today I went to the Oparara Valley. This is a forested valley with lots of trails and wildlife. The main attraction is the natural arches and caves. Water from rivers and rainfall have eaten away at the limestone and left amazing natural wonders. I only wish I could spend more time exploring but it is time to mosey on. Hello to everyone who is reading this, thanks for your time. Hi mom and the rest of the KC family. Howdy Harrels. And to everyone else, Hows it going?! Happy birthday to my buddy Andy Wolff. Keep enjoying american sports for me cause I get none of it here. PLEASE, soak up the sun and bask in the summer cause its cold here. Have a great week and Ill try to do an update soon. Peace, Love and Pura Vida
