away

I am currently doing a 30 day writing challenge with a friend. while some of the pieces are quite personal. some are food for a blog… here is one of them…

If you could run away, where would you go?

This Is easy…

There is a tiny village called Kaikōura, on the eastern side of Te Waipounamu, the South Island of New Zealand. The village is small, quite touristy, ah, but the area? The area is stunning! It’s where the mountains meet the sea. It’s a rugged coast, the Pacific Ocean often stormy and angry in this spot. And Seals, all the seals gather on this coast. Delightful large slugs, families and loners. Smelly and loud and utterly adorable…

Kōura abound here. Kōura being the the Te Reo word for crayfish (Spiny lobsters); Kai means food… so this is the place where crayfish are food – Kaikōura..

Historically it was a whaling village. Now though boats of people are taken to see them swimming free. It’s a pretty little place, with lots of old (well by our standard old) cottages. Sadly now, the odd McMansion is springing up. But a bit out of town, you can still get a small plot of land, and build yourself whatever your heart’s desire…

Mine would be a simple 2 bedder. Good kitchen, large, covered deck for sitting listening to the sea and reading books… a long table for those endless long lunches outside with friends

A vege garden, room for some chooks, a writing room with windows that see the sea or the mountains. Piles of shells and driftwood I’ve collected on my rambles. A fire to keep the worst of the winter winds out. A bed that looks out at the skies, blue, grey or darkest nights..

A small guest shack, away from the house, self-contained, so my whanau and friends can still come to visit but can be as independent as they like. A covered walk joining us together..

Lock up and leave. So I can wander far and wide, but still have a welcoming place when I need to be home

Somewhere for my heart and soul to breathe…

He manako te kōura i kore ai

A crayfish won’t jump in your net just because you wish it in there