Whoever heard of a Labrador that’s not too keen on swimming! Shadow loves water as you would expect, and happily splashes around and chases sticks but is strangely reluctant to go out of her depth. She can do it if she has to, to avoid getting left behind on a fishing expedition. So here she is being coaxed out of her depth:

And here is her role model, Oscar showing her how it’s done and retrieving a rather large stick from a deep part of the Matakitaki River, a dog who certainly doesn’t do thing by halves!

Shadow was rather relieved to be back on dry land after the lesson! That’s her up there in front of the fire.

Steve and Wendy of Korimako Lodge feature in the October 2010 issue of  AA Directions magazine.
http://free2go.co.nz/aadirections/features/Pages/City-Jobs-to-Fishing-Lodge.aspx

We have just spent an enjoyable hour with Ursula from Blackenbrook Vineyard, tasting and choosing wines for our winelist.

The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc is particularly delicious! Lots of depth and tropical fruits – very aptly described as seductive.  A great example of Nelson winemaking and a delicious addition to our winelist.

“Loveliest sunset after quarter of an hour” WH Auden

We have been seeing some wonderful winter skies over Korimako Lodge – great sunsets with colours dancing across the sky. As the sun sets it’s final burst of color is followed by clear crisp nights which show off the moon, stars and planets of our southern skies to perfection.

The Winter Solstice was on June 21, the days will only get longer as the count down to summer begins. We went to a Solstice party in Murchison – a great way to lift our winter spirits, eat warming winter

What an enormous field mushroom!

food and drink some mulled wine!

Talking of delicious food – this perfect field mushroom was harvested on the hill behind the lodge, we only see them for a week or so each winter but not normally so enormous! Delicious cooked with some New Zealand olive oil and our very own garlic.

We have been saving some of the best and biggest cloves of garlic for planting in the next couple of weeks. The Murchison climate is perfect for growing garlic – big fat juicy bulbs that taste wonderful. Really looking forward to roasting the new bulbs whole to eat with warm crusty home baked bread!

Just the other week the Murchison Pony Club hosted the “Matakitaki Muster” – a three day horse trek in the Upper Matakitaki and Glenroy valleys near Murchison. Nearly 40 horses and riders took part and by all accounts had a wonderful time. The weather was beautiful and showcased Murchison’s stunning scenery at its very best. After crossing the Matakitaki River at Six Mile just below Korimako Lodge, and a lunch stop by the old powerhouse, the posse headed back into Murchison for a hoedown and dinner in the historic Stables at the Commercial Hotel.

Good news is that this will be an annual event! So watch this space………

Thanks to Barry Whitnall, a local photographer, we have some stunning images.

Barry has a great collection of  stunning images of the Murchison community and our beautiful natural landscapes.

www.barrywhitnall.com

The trout fishing season has just ended and this season was one of those great mouse years where the trout feast on mice and grow big and fat – there were lots of stories of huge brown trout being landed, and there were also those frustrating days when those fish just could not be caught.

Korimako Lodge has now closed for the winter as usual, so we have taken the opportunity of some quiet time to redevelop our website. Take a peek at our new look, and do come and visit us at Korimako Lodge when we reopen in October.