I picked up Phil and Annalie from Christchurch airport and we drove to Methven, our base for the next five days. Rumors were floating around that a storm was heading our way, it was looking like we might not make it up to Mt Hutt ski field due to high winds.

The next day and the weather reports came true, all the ski fields were closed due to high winds. We went for a drive that day, trying to make the most of the situation. Old LDC was being blown all over the place the wind was so strong. It definitely would’ve been worse up the mountains.

There were posters in town advertising a free screening of a new snowboarding film called One Year. The film looked interesting claiming to be a documentary shot around the world. We texted our ticket request and reserved our seats.

We arrived a little early and was offered free ice cream with brownies. Everybody seemed really friendly and welcoming, the director, Joel Parker introduced himself to us as we took our seats on the front row.

Joel then takes the stage and introduces the film. He says he ‘hopes we enjoy the film, it has a theme and he is not trying to trick us.’ I wasn’t sure what he meant by this.

The film looked well produced and slick but the documentary format wasn’t obvious at first. Then after about 20 minutes during the Dave Downing section the theme begins to emerge: spirituality. From then on each rider told their story of how they found god. I then understood Joel’s words and I did feel slightly tricked.

Joel then jumped back on the stage and preached to us about God and religion. He even requested we bow our heads while he says a prayer. I felt so awkward. Annalie was angry and said she wanted out. I too felt cross but wanted to stick around and soak up the weird experience (in a Louis Theroux kind of way). The Joel mentions we are in a church and the Pastor would like a few words. I couldn’t believe it, the poster said the film would be screened in Methven Mall. I thought the building didn’t look like a mall but it didn’t look much like a church either.

The Pastor then invited us to hang around, play table tennis and eat ice cream. We stayed for a bit trying to figure out if the christian element of the film was anywhere to be seen from the posters. I wondered if I’d made a mistake. Far from it, the posters contained no reference to the films religious content and were even arranged on the front window covering up the word ‘church’ that was printed on the glass.

The three of us then left for the pub feeling a weird mixture of anger, confusion and amazement. Something was bothering me, I had to go back, I wanted to talk to Joel.

Back in the church I approached Joel, shook his hand and told him I liked his film and admired his vision. I genuinely did. I had to admit to him that I felt tricked and wondered if the reason why god wasn’t mentioned, and the word church covered up, was because otherwise nobody would turn up. He explained that he didn’t want to be known as a christian director. I said I thought the film was interesting but it’s message was weakened when he preached at us after. We exchanged ideas for a few minutes then I thanked him for taking the time to talk to me, and he thanked me for my honesty. He told me he just wanted to hang out with nice people. I can’t blame him for that. Everybody we had met did seem very friendly.

There is just something uncomfortable and invasive when religion is given the hard sell under those circumstances.

I returned to P & A in the pub where we discussed the film and religion over a few beers. On the way home walking past the now quiet Methven Mall, a poster had been removed and the word Church was visible.

The next day the weather had improved slightly so we headed up to Porters ski field. It was pretty crap, the snow was hard and icy in places and the snow park was closed. We tried to make the best of it with a couple of decentish runs. We had seen better days riding in NZ. With regular tea breaks (or rider reviver) we made it through the day just shy of last lifts.

Monday was also another high winds write-off so we decided to drive down to Christchurch a day early. We went out for food and beers then I dropped P & A off at the airport on Tuesday.

Back on the road just me and LDC I drove to Kiakoura and join a Whale watching tour. Here are some amateurish photographs just to prove it really existed.

Before leaving town I ate a substantial Crayfish meal then got the hell out of there. I don’t have time to see much more of the South. I had just one week to get Long Distance Clara back to Auckland on the North Island. I have invested heavily into the Southern Alps and Snowboarding. I tell myself I can do everything I’ve missed when I return, but to be honest I could easily do exactly the same thing over again.

The next few days went like this. I drove to Nelson and Abel Tasman then took the car ferry from Picton to Wellington. After a snoop around the Welly coffee shops I drove for four hours to Ohakune for some snowboarding on Mt Ruapehu, an active volcano. Please turn over.