Dear All,
There are still people on this planet, who really care about others. I can only praise myself lucky, having been welcomed by two of them...

Strange how a story sometimes starts up. Jumping back in time: in October last year, I welcomed 2 Kiwis, who literally had no idea of where they were. From the very moment, they walked through my door, we all sensed some connection. That connection grew stronger the following morning, when I learned that Ellie had lost a great uncle on October 12^th ,1917. When I was able to point out to her, where her relative must have been at that time, she was moved to tears. All in all, the contact we had, was very brief, since Murray and Ellie were just passing through the area, nevertheless it was a very intense one. Before they left, both of them assured me that, if I would ever make it down under: there was a bed waiting for me in their house. Little did I know at the time, that less than I year later, I would take them up on that offer....

To my surprise I received a message to stay with them last week? How on earth they knew I was in Christchurch at the time (we hadn’t been communicating at all) was a bit of a mystery to me. The answer was provided by Ellie’s sister: having seen the interview on the local TV, she contacted her sister to find out whether the Charlotte she had seen could be the same, Ellie had been talking about so often? One and one is two... so the next thing was an invitation to stay in Greta Valley: an invitation I have gladly accepted. On hindsight, I can only say that this has been a very special stop in my long journey. The days I have spent at Greta Valley will be treasured as a very warm memory.

Murray used to run a garage but is now retired although there is no way he wants to hear that word. All in all, he proves to be a very active man: working as a volunteer in the local fire brigade, doing the work of a handy man on the local golf course and to top it up: he drives the school bus twice a day. I had barely arrived, as I was invited for a ride along with the school bus. Considering the commitment of Murray in the local school community, I asked him whether they would be interested in hearing the story of the Great War. My offer of a free lecture, once proposed to the head master, was accepted with open hands, so it was organised for me to return the following morning. Once that was sorted out, we started the 50 km long journey to drop off 4 children ( the total number of children at this school is 30). I know I have commented on the landscape on quite a few occasions, so on the risk of repeating myself; I keep on writing on what I see... this journey takes me along steep ravines, rocky coastlines, rolling hills and hidden valleys. As a Fleming, who has seen a large range of different views over the last couple of months, I have to underline that this is the jewel on the crown. “Breathtaking” is the best adjective that comes to my mind.

Once back home, we chat time away. Murray has a very good sense of humour and Ellie seems to be the perfect sounding board. These people are more than just a couple: they are soul mates, who understand each other without words and who have given each other the space to develop as individual human beings.

Next morning, we leave in good time (and good mood) for Greta Valley School. I might well be in good spirits, clear enough my little notebook isn’t! That piece of technology leaves me completely in the lurch. Not to worry: although this school is small and remote, when it comes to technology, it proves to be very up-to-date. In less than no time an alternative laptop is presented and I am all set to go, ready to take these children on a fascinating journey through history;

The time I spend here, teaches me how happy people can be. I enjoy the tranquillity my hosts radiate. As far as I am concerned, many psychologists could learn more than one lesson from people like Ellie and Murray. They read my soul and without judging or condemning, they give me the confidence that one day the sun will shine again on me. Oho, I am ready to bet that some of my readers will jump into the conclusion that I am struggling? Wake up from that dream please: I have found my inner balance, which allows me to feel better from one day to the other. What lies ahead of me is to deal with the practical side of my life and then to move on to develop myself more and more.

On Saturday, I am being invited for a tour of the area, which takes us to a local restaurant in “the middle of nowhere”. This place has been bought by the inventor of ultrasound, an American which I presume to have no financial worries to deal with. Whenever he feels like breaking away, his private helicopter just drops him off here. Each to their own world...

The meal which is presented here, surely classifies as “upmarket kitchen”. I am enjoying a stew, served with gravy based on homemade red wine. A New Zealand version of Belgian stew since we prepared it with brown beer...

Next stop on our journey takes us to a local artist, who has settled in and amongst the hills. From business point of view, there is simply no logic to be found, why someone could even consider to start a business here. Something which has really struck me is the large amount of art galleries: even the smallest village in the country seems to have one. Belgians are focused on food first of all and then perhaps some art: down under, I am left with the impression that it is the other way round. Raymond Herber (www.raymondherber.com ) prefers to work with stainless steel and iron. Blood is thicker than water as Raymond (just like his sister) is a born artist. Being a very rational thinking female, I wonder whether I will ever come to understand the mind of an artist, which doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy his work. In his workplace we discover a horse, made of stainless steel: a magnificent piece of art that is.

Wandering around is his garden (a big pasture in reality) we come across other pieces of art, showing the brain of the man behind these. Raymond was trained as an engineer: several of his constructions are revealing his skills as such. I do prefer the draft-horse though: less technique but that much more feeling

Much too soon my last day in Greta Valley takes a start. Already I know that saying goodbye won’t be easy as I do feel at home here. Am I right in saying that Ellie and Murray don’t look forward to the coming goodbye either? Fact is that they are planning to give me excellent last day and that is how I end up in the Hanmer Springs for the second time: a day in those hot water baths... take it from me that there is not much better than that!

Hanmer Springs is showing itself in a very different way compared to last week. Whereas most shops were closed last week, there is a pleasant crowded atmosphere in the one street of the village this week. Walking to the restaurant, my eyes spot something shiny on the pavement: it proves to be a golden ring with a beautiful diamond. Most likely an engagement ring... I wonder about the poor girl, who will come to realise that she has lost her ring! In an attempt to find the owner, we wonder in the restaurant but no one has inquired there. On to the police station then, to find it is closed, with a note hanging on the door, instructing to use the red phone in case of emergency. According to Murray, this can be classified as an emergency but gosh.... half an hour later; he is still on the phone in order to learn there is no one at the police station (something we already knew after 2 minutes!). So we are kindly being asked to drop off the ring at the police station of the next village, on our way to Christchurch tomorrow morning. Alas, no one to be found there either... The ring is finally going to end up in the police office of Christchurch at some 134 km of the place where it was initially found!

I have been taken back to Jo’s house this morning by Ellie and Murray, who were on their way to court. Plans have been revealed to build a wind farm on the hills behind their village, something which is of great concern to them. Initially I reacted in the way that their fear was not justified (since the windmills will be at a fair distance) but soon I came to learn that there is a lot more involved, other than the disturbance of the views. To start with, there is the issue of erosion: if the plans go ahead, it means that a new road has to be established on these hills. This intervention will inevitably involve some rocks coming down; to eventually end up in the river. Some of these rocks contain sediment that may pollute the river. To build these giant wind mills, thousands of litres of water will be required, water, which is a precious commodity, since on the eastern side of the Alps, the rainfall is (usually ) limited. Fact is that NZ already has several wind farms and that studies have proven the investment cannot be justified when looking at the return. High winds result in a much higher maintenance bill than initially anticipated. Add to that the nuisance of shade and noise and one starts to understand the concern of the local residents. I don’t want to preach the devil’s word, however I do believe that renewable energy is the way to a better future. Something both my hosts agree on: their argument is that solar energy is far more sufficient. The lawsuit is a story of David and Goliath or how people are willing to fight for their ideals.

Just a couple of hours to go before I will on the plane to Auckland... I stand at the threshold of a new life.

Warm wishes

Charlotte

Copyright: Charlotte Descamps 2012