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8 CLOS HENRI BASTILLE DAY
1. Matthia Seijo, Stephan Walliser and
Juan Taborga 2. Matt Goldsworthy and Samantha Lawrence 3. Liz McKay and Stefano Boglaone 4. Jaco Van Hensbergen and Sandra Van
Hensbergen 5. Sara Escribano and Sofia Gorosito
6. Lenny Basham and Lyndsey Cassidy 7. Marianne Pecehenino and Jenna Testa
8. Gillian Moore, Howard Moore and
Benjamin Moore 9. Josh Hammond and Victoria White
10. Allan Walker, Stacey Goble and Adam Goble
MATT BROWN
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A TOKEN AFRICAN
STORY: PAULA HULBURT Comedian Urzila Carlson is freaked out by giant fruit. A dearth of out of proportion produce is just one reason the talented performer is looking forward to her upcoming show at the ASB Theatre Marlborough.
The South African-born performer turned loyal Kiwi is not shy talking about the country she once called home.
A robbery helped her make the decision to move to New Zealand in 2006 and while she’s long recovered from that scare, Herculean kiwi fruits and carrots creep her out. “The massive fruit you guys have at the entrance of some towns...it’s really creepy,” she explains. Her latest show Urzila Carlson Token African takes to the stage in Blenheim on Thursday 29 August. Urzila may have become a New Zealand citizen in 2012, but the country she once called home is at the centre of her new nationwide tour.
“Africans have become the new must have accessory. Okay, not really, but everyone knows one, works with one or has a sister that’s dating one of us. “Africa changes people. People who visit to game reserves wear ranger outfits… why is that? We don’t wear scrubs when going to the doctor… Africa puts things in perspective, this show will help you find that focus, delivered to you by a Token African,” she explains. Described by The Stage as “effortlessly likeable”, Carlson is a gifted comedian, a talent that may well run in the family, with her mother coming in for some credit.
“She’s so funny, she has the driest sense of humour and she cracks me up so much that I laugh till I can’t breathe. “She does all of that with clean humour too so it’s pretty impressive…I don’t know how to do it.”
Her mother is also her inspiration for her attitude to life; it is what you make it. “My mum raised me with a great understanding that life is 10 per cent how you get it and 90 per cent how you make it. I have no regrets.”
The outspoken blonde is a familiar sight on TV screens around the country and in Australia. From Seven Days to Orange is the New Brown, it’s hard to believe that the 43-year old only began her comedy career 11 years ago. Positive reviews follow-her wherever she performs and her ASB Theatre Show is set to be a real crowd-pleaser. “Carlson is a gifted and accomplished comedian – an absolute must-see.” raves Appetite for the Arts while The Music is quick to praise her: “Belly laughs and guffaws aplenty”. The NZ Comedy Guild Award winner has embraced her life as a fully-fledged Kiwi, and that includes wearing jandals. “But I still won’t touch mince and cheese pies…. that’s weird,” she laughs. On the topic of food, dinner guests crop up. Apart from her wife Julie and two children, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern would be top of her guest list. “I know she’s good company and likes a good whiskey, and I think it’ll be nice to hang out with someone that understands that I might have to lean over the table and cut her food up because I’m so used to cutting food up for my kids. She won’t think I’m a weirdo.”
If life hadn’t taken her down the comedy route, Urzila says she would be working as a surgeon…” I’d be saving lives… kidding, I’d still be working in advertising and loving it”.
Tickets are available from www.asbtheatre.co.nz for Urzila’s show which will be held in the McLauchlan Family Auditorium at ASB Theatre Marlborough on Thursday 29th August, 7.30pm.
Marlborough
ARCTIC, ANTARCTICA, ALASKA
- THE THREE A’S OF ADVENTURE CRUISING
An expedition is an adventure, experiencing a destination where nature choreographs itself, where wildlife is unleashed, and few men have stepped, and it is remote communities who have no idea of rush hour traffic. It is the most exhilarating and life changing type of travel you can get. Expedition cruising is attracting those who are looking for authentic and unique destinations, who want to connect with the destination, and who relish impacting experiences. Travelling with smaller numbers of likeminded travellers is something Kiwis are responding to and loving.
Expedition cruising has taken a quantum leap in the last 20 years, ships are purpose built with shallow drafts, or ice strengthened hulls, are smaller and durable with anything from 22 guests to 400. Expedition ships are designed to probe the deepest, most inaccessible and remote regions on our planet, in a safe and sustainable way, ensuring maximum comfort and experience, with minimum impact on the environment. Zodiacs are often used for ship to shore connection, with expert expedition leaders, historians, cultural experts, zoologists and more escorting you. Education in this environment is fun and addictive.
The polar regions are literally opposites. The Arctic in the north, boasts terrestrial animals, most notably the King of the Arctic – the polar bear, plus a host of other fat, furry and feathered creatures you will not find down south in Antarctica. The Arctic has a social and cultural interest with an ancient indigenous people dating back 5000 years; Vikings brought the age of early exploration by ship to this region, and 20th century communities have adapted, but still hold onto traditions and life-style. Tauck in partnership with BBC Earth produce some extraordinary journeys through the Arctic and Iceland. All inclusive, and designed to leave no stone unturned, Taucks BBC Earth Journeys are real-life documentaries that cannot be had with any other travel provider. There are a range of other small ship expedition cruises to choose from in the Arctic - Adventure Canada takes you up into the high arctic of Canada to Baffin Island and the North west passage, and others like Silversea will navigate from Greenland all the way to Nome, Alaska. Antarctica is a fantastical landscape of icebergs, whales and penguins. It may be the coldest, windiest and driest place on earth, but during the Austral summer November - February, the continent is at its most spectacular. Love abounds in spring with incredible courtship displays from penguins. Whales are numerous, flowers bloom on the Falklands, and South Georgia has the richest density of wildlife anywhere on earth. Seabourn offers the most unique voyage available in Antarctica. From Santiago to Buenos Aires, with Seabourn you can explore the Patagonian fjords - a treasure trove for flora and fauna enroute to a six day expedition in Antarctica, where Zodiac landings will be at the heart of your adventure.
Seabourn offer premium and luxury experiences, and their new expedition ship Seabourn Venture, will probe even deeper into destinations. Smaller in size, and with 2 submarines on board, she will cruise in Antarctica, and the Arctic region, while taking expedition to new levels, with a full traverse of the verdant Amazon River. 4000 miles in from the Atlantic, with remote tribes, butterflies the size of dinner plates, and birds the size of your finger, it is a botanical, cultural and scenic wonderland.
Alaska boasts towering virgin forests, thunderous calving glaciers, wilderness towns, bears and breaching whales, and while there are many large ship options for seeing Alaska, only with the small expedition style cruises can you really get up close and personal and really experience it. UnCruise Adventure operate smaller boats of up to 84 guests and primarily cruise the wilderness regions out of Juneau. Zodiacs and kayaks ensure easy access to the shoreline where there is frequent animal activity, bush whacking and hiking to get you amongst the undergrowth of this remarkable wilderness destination.
Whatever you choose for your next adventure, consider an expedition cruise. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you do need reasonable mobility. In particular, luxury expedition cruising is the new age of cruising, and New Zealanders are flocking to it.
STORY: SUSIE WILLIAMS SUSIE WILLIAMS/SUPPLIED
Murchison is a stunning two hour drive from Blenheim. What can you expect from a stay in Murchison? Rural charm, natural beauty and once in a life time experiences. Most of us from Marlborough are guilty of knowing Murchison as a town on the way to the West Coast, but come and stay for awhile and experience some of New Zealand’s most amazing scenery, unique experiences and friendliest people. Murchison’s township is an ode to its gold mining past with many buildings still in their original form from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. In contrast to this charming old world feel is the ability to zip line across the Buller River, walk the longest swing bridge in the southern hemisphere, blast the rivers by jet boat, bike or hike to some of the most amazing vantage points and experience the rare beauty of the ‘Natural Flames’.
The Natural Flames - a ‘MUST-SEE’ natural treasure in the Top of the South.
As soon as we climbed aboard the Natural Flames Experience 4WD vehicle, with Steve at the wheel, we were enthralled with details about Murchison and some of its history. On the outskirts of this quiet country town lies an interesting past and an amazing natural wonder. The only access to this magical natural wonder is with the Natural Flames Tours. We pass through private farmland, high up into a beautiful, hidden valley. At the end of the drive we arrive at a tall deer fence, marking the end of the farm, and the start of our hour-long walk. Armed with hiking sticks, we headed towards our promised pancakes! The natural bushland is just that – natural. Our track is more like a stock track but saying that it is easy to navigate. No wide tracks here…just back to nature! Along the way we learn many facts and interesting things about the native plants, birds and the past. Further into our tramp we come across dense forest, the air as calm, clear and crisp as I have ever encountered. There were more moss species that I have ever seen. Many colours and shapes of mushrooms and toadstools. If you believe in fairies…this is where I think you would find this. The magic surrounding this place I cannot describe, but trust me, it is breath-taking! This is one of those experiences where you feel like the only people on earth, where everything is as natural as the days the Moa were roaming the country. We all felt as though we had been on a long relaxing holiday – this is peace at its best.
RoCS
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Then, when we felt things couldn’t get better and more naturally amazing, we climb a short rise and here we find the most amazing sight. We knew it was here, but to actually see it was spell bounding. The Natural Flames! Who could believe that here, amongst this most beautiful, natural forest is a small clearing with a natural fire pit? Not just a tiny flame burning in the forest, but a clearing with a large fire pit, naturally burning away ever day of the year. All of us stood gasping with our mouths open, finding it hard to believe what we were seeing. So extraordinary! Once we recovered from our exciting shock…. Steve got to work for the promised campfire pancakes and tea. On went the kettle and the camp plate to cook fresh pancakes. Let me tell you…they were GOOD! Many pancakes, and cups of tea, our last pancake was dessert – pancakes with melted marshmallows. The fire kept us nice and warm, and we all felt like we were on a camping trip. We headed back home through the forest with full bellies, and a heart full of love for the natural New Zealand bush and its most amazing natural wonders.
The Perfect Holiday Destination
Arran Tandy moved to Murchison two years ago from Nelson purchasing Riversong Cottages in Fairfax street. He was drawn to Murchison for its beautiful position set in between our two stunning National parks and the gate way to the West coast. The Old Ghost Road biking and tramping track a highlight of the region, prompting Arran’s idea of recently including bike hire and small bike shop to the already established accommodation business.
Arran has recently changed the name to Off the Beaten Track Accommodation & Bike Hire and is in the process of building a new reception and bike shop at the front of the existing garage. This modification enhancing the accommodation business for bikers that stay and anyone that would like to explore the local area by bike. Off the Beaten Track are eagerly awaiting their two electric bikes which will add to the fleet of Santa Cruz mountain bikes they already have. The accommodation comprises of two cabins that sleep up to 6 and a studio flat for couples. Currently in the making is an outside kitchen, to accommodate the hammocks, braziers and tables around the gardens. Ideal for groups and families wanting to BBQ and socialize after their Murchison and surrounds adventure.
Keen to explore the Old Ghost Track? For your next hiking or biking adventure – Off the Beaten Track is your perfect base nestled amongst the beautiful native New Zealand Bush.
BOTTLING HAPPINESS
STORY: KAT DUGGAN
PHOTO: JIM TANNOCK
Andrew Benger loves his job. He thinks of it as ‘preserving sunshine and bottling happiness’.
As the Regional Viticulture Manager for Constellation Brands in Marlborough, Andrew has responsibility for the wellbeing of four different Marlborough vineyards and their grapes. “My passion is growing wine,” Andrew says. “It’s the end product that is important.” With an associate degree in applied science of wine growing, viticulture was not the first career path Andrew explored. “I had a go at a lot of things before making a career out of viticulture … [but] I enjoyed farming and this is farming, and it’s a global industry. “The opportunity presented itself to [work in the industry] and I did a degree by correspondence and basically have been a gun for hire ever since.” Andrew’s degree saw him study two years each of both viticulture and winemaking. He can thank the career for his move to New Zealand, leaving his native South Australia for the very similar plains of Marlborough with his family in tow in 2003.
Andrew’s wife Helen, and number one supporter of 32 years was only too happy to join the journey, and the family settled in the Awatere Valley’s Lower Dashwood. Their two sons completed their schooling at Marlborough Boys’ College, while their daughter attended both primary and secondary school in the region, and the family made short work of getting involved with the Seddon community. “We had a fairly idyllic life out on the vineyard … and we got very involved in the community out there,” Andrew says. Andrew joined the Seddon Lions Club and remains involved with it despite having made the move into Blenheim. This year, he is president of the club. Being an active member of the community is an important aspect of life, he says. “I think community involvement is essential. You can judge the essence of the community by how much we help each other out. It is just generally about doing your part in looking after the wellbeing of everybody you can and ensuring they feel valued and looked out for.”
As a keen mountain biker, Andrew is also involved with the Marlborough Mountain Biking Club. Growing up near air force bases meant riding bikes was a key part of childhood for Andrew, who relied on bikes
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as a mode of transport. Here in Marlborough, he saw the hobby has a way to keep fit, meet new people, and take in the scenery from different purpose-built tracks around the region. “It’s a win win, it’s exercise but also you get a bit of a thrill, and you meet the requirements of the needs of your aging body to stay nimble and fit“ he says. As well as getting out to enjoy Marlborough’s bike tracks, Andrew spends time helping to build new tracks, maintain existing tracks and work with youth mountain bikers both with the club, and at Jentree on the Taylor Pass. Working with young people was a natural progression for Andrew, and fits in well with his community-minded nature. “It’s just following on from where I left off from raising three kids,” he says. “Some of the Marlborough Mountain Bike Club activities are targeted at the younger ones, honing their skills and encouraging them to get out there and ride their bikes. “There are fairly large numbers of them interested in mountain biking as an alternative to sports, or to complement their other activities.”
Andrew’s work as a mentor also extends into the vineyard, where he works with a team of 19, teaching some of them about the work involved in being a regional vineyard manager. Looking back on sixteen years in Marlborough, Andrew says he is happy with the move. “It was one of those bizarre things that I need to find another job and there was only one job going in Australia and New Zealand and I was lucky enough to get it,” he says. Over the years, Marlborough has presented a lifestyle that fits in well with Andrew’s own warm and welcoming personality. “There’s an element of innocence, it’s uncluttered and uncomplicated, and there’s no traffic lights, people have to eyeball each other and be courteous … I miss the old one lane bridge in Seddon, it forced people to show good manners and be polite,” he says. “[We like] laid back lifestyle, [it’s] like Australia was when I was a kid.”
TIME TO BE YOU
Being a stay at home dad, for the most part, is an awesome privilege. However, this school holidays, as I’m sure most parents can relate to, I had the quick reminder that it’s so important to take time for yourself, and to do some things you want to do.
When you’re at home with three busy kids full time, it’s easy to become a personal taxi driver, cleaner, cook, and referee all at the same time, from breakfast until bed. You wind up losing sense of who you really are and the things that make you, you, besides your kids. I end up being a grumpy ball of angst, just waiting for the next argument to referee, and not truly enjoying the benefit of being able to be home with the kids.
And that is why I find it so important to remember that you can’t truly take care of someone else, unless you’re taking care of yourself. I found myself in a space where I just needed to get out the other day, luckily my wife was home, and so, although bucketing down with rain, I donned the crash helmet and went for a bike ride. It was the most freeing hour that I’d had for the past two weeks. As I felt the rain and the elements hit up against my face, and the blood pump around my body, I took the time to enjoy how the bike felt underneath me as I coasted down a hill, and then realized that this was one of the few moments that I had had alone the entire school holidays. I came back home with a refreshed sense of wellbeing, and a completely different appreciation for refereeing that next brewing argument over who peed on the toilet seat.
It can often feel selfish to need to take the time and be alone, but I know for sure, both my family and I benefit from the results after.
Take care for now, and go take the time to be you, not just a parent.
STORY: LEE GRIGGS
Cheers, Lee
Pushing Pushing the the boundaries boundaries of Music of Music
FISH WEARING BLING
Weesang Paaka with a tagged rainbow.
STORY: JACOB LUCAS, NELSON MARLBOROUGH FISH & GAME
Trout adorned with coloured tags are now found in a number of waterways in the top of the south. Each tag is individually numbered and come in an assortment of colours, meaning each release into a certain waterway has its own specific colour and number range. The trout are tagged at the hatchery, and involves placing the fish in anesthesia and performing a simple tag insertion under the skin.
So why do we tag fish? Well, in this region it is done so we can monitor the effectiveness of our releases. We do this through tag returns (when anglers catch a tagged fish and tell us about it), and also in our drift dive counts - an underwater census of the fish population where tagged fish are sighted by divers as they float down the river.
Tags also allow us to see what fish get up to – where they go from their point of release. We’ve had trout, for example, which have travelled large distances from their release point, and even some that have navigated obstacles such as dams – in some cases by surviving a drop over the Branch River weir – a dizzying fall of around 5 metres.
In the past we have also used small microchips (PIT tags), which are inserted under the skin and have a unique number. Essentially these are the same microchips that your family pooch is sporting as required by your local council, but are invisible to the naked eye and thus require an electronic reader. Last year one local angler handed in one of these microchips, which he found in a trout he’d just baked for dinner. Looking back at our records we saw that this fish, a hen, was caught in the same pool she was released in nearly a decade earlier – a tad unusual for rainbow trout which are known to be fairly transient. She’d certainly seen better days, which was not surprising considering she was nearing the maximum known age for a rainbow trout – around 11 years old – a remarkable feat for a New Zealand trout having to navigate a lifetime in wild New Zealand waters.
Many local anglers get a real kick out of catching a tagged fish and will proudly notify Fish & Game of their catch. In the past few years we’ve had terrific feedback from anglers catching our tagged fish in a range of waterways, this is gratifying on one level where that the angler has derived enjoyment from catching the fish, but on another level that the release has worked well, and the hatchery trout have adapted to the river environment.
