Rai
Valley, Marlborough, South
Island, New Zealand
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| News - Anthony Bourdain's
No Reservations |
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| Photos
copyright Diane Schutz © 2005 |
The
Mudbrick Lodge has also featured in a recent NZ Life &
Leisure magazine - more  |
The spotlight
was on Bugs and Scum the local Wild Boar Hunting Guides
when Anthony Bourdain (Kitchen Confidential, A Cooks Tour)
and his film crew came to stay filming a segment for his
new show No Reservations.
Anthony and his fantastic
film crew arrived in Nelson, and we paid a visit to Craig
Harrington – my favourite Local Boutique Brewer. Picking
up something to take home, we head for the Rai Valley.
After attempting to wire
a camera to my vehicle - thank heavens it wasn’t achievable,
the last thing I want prospective guests to see is how appalling
my driving is! |
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Tania and the No Reservations
Crew |
We headed for the Lodge. We
had a great laugh on the way home, discussing Tony’s impending
Wild Boar Hunt, unsure about their fitness levels, and deciding
is was too late to go into training. Tony did wonder whether it
would be appropriate to wear a box, as protection for his manhood.
Anthony shows off the catch. |
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We arrived
to a warm welcome from menagerie at Mudbrick. The fire was
roaring, and all sat down to a huge pot of Marlborough Mussel
Chowder and fresh homemade bread. Amazed by the size of
the Marlborough Green Lipped Mussels, Chris the infamous
producer began insisting on Mussels as a part of every meal
for the next 3 days.
The next morning is a
5am start – The team is up and ready to go, on a chilly
Marlborough morning. The hunting boys arrived for their
pick up, and they were off. 4 film crew, Tony, Bugs, Scum,
Andy. People outnumbered the dogs. The pigs would have a
fighting chance this morning I thought they are going to
hear them coming from a mile away. |
Several
hours later – the crew turned back up, Pig on the
back – and still panting from the journey up the hill!
The boys laughed and said surprisingly enough – Tony
was the fittest by far…not bad considering he smokes
probably more than a packet a day!
We then set about the
meal preparation, turning the wild boar into something for
dinner.
I had a fabulous few days
with the team, and it was sad to see them head off. What
an amazing guy, and what mind-blowing life experiences he
has. |
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Anthony explains the finer points... |
Tony has a charisma about
him that instantly attracts you to him. After his visit I sat
down and read the Cooks Tour book, brilliant read – he really
can write! He has that ability to make people and places come
to life on the pages.
Anthony
Bourdain and the No Reservations team, was an absolutely
amazing experience for me. Watch out for the show, and I
am guessing wait for the book!
To see the full action
of the hunt and his stay, ANTHONY BOURDAIN: NO RESERVATIONS
will premiere on Monday, July 25 at 10 pm EST on the Travel
Channel. In the USA, and the New Zealand show isn't scheduled
to air til August 22nd.
In the meantime, check
out their website
(opens in new window). For those
of you NOT in the U.S.A ... check your local Discovery channel
for listings. |
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Tania and Anthony in the kitchen |
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Somewhere in the hectic schedule, Tony managed to find time
to enjoy our hammock in the sun. |
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The
Mudbrick Lodge has also featured in a recent NZ Life &
Leisure magazine - more |
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Proud member of Heritage & Character
Inns |
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