Adventures we gave ourselves

Dear Mum and Dad,
​
I was driving through the mid North Island the other day, when out of nowhere ‘The Sheds’ sprang to mind.

I’m (pretty) sure you’ll remember 17 years ago in 2019 the long weekend we spent there. I (and Kelly and Lex) certainly do.

We often talk about it as one of the highlights of our growing up. For all of us it greatly ramped up our thoughts of what could be possible... and we really developed as a result of those three and a half days.

But specifically, it was the sight of a track leading up into some bush-covered hillside that really triggered that memory. 

Remember how we did a walk that stinking hot afternoon we were there, and this bush was such a cool relief with its mixture of life and decay and pleasantness? The next day was raining, and the different smells and delight when a NZ Falcon (Karearea) swooshed past us. I know that it, and the other bird life encouraged Kelly into her conservation role(s)...like nothing else before or after.

But what we really discovered there tucked away under the Tararua’s was ourselves. We had adventures we could, and did, give ourselves without you having to be there.

Some of the things we got up to there which wasn’t possible at home in our town are still etched on my mind. Building dams in the stream, eeling, mountain bike riding on real country, rope swings, swimming in a water hole, using an axe, and even climbing up a steep hill to watch a sunset.

And that was just during daylight.

Being able to stay up late because we were having so much fun playing the board games available there was another highlight...somehow more exotic and experiential than doing it at home.

I still recall learning the difference between a Left and Right Bower in Euchre when it comes to managing teams these days. I just wish I could apply the Monopoly rule to how I operate though!

In fact M&D, I shudder to think how our lives would’ve been different without having been to The Sheds.

Sure, we gave ourselves self-directed endeavours there. Which was pretty lucky, because we didn’t have any friends or relations with a farm; and so we were able to experience an authentic country experience...which otherwise we would’ve missed out on.

In fact and remembering those adventures, even though my kids, your grandchildren, are still pretty young - I’m going to book us in at The Sheds soon - want to join us?