Thank you Trev, his banter didn’t stop till he did. He told me you came and saw him. Thank you for answering his questions…i do hope to see the hall overflowing for him. And please a come introduce yourself to me, tell me any yarns you have. I heard some great yarns on Tuesday that were new to my ears. He will live on in our stories
2 Likes
My sincere condolences to Keith’s family…we all really enjoyed his banter and his quirky(sometimes a little sick) humour…many a time I would PM Keith for some intell on a particular area I was looking at going to…of which he was more than obliging to provide me with maps,GPS points and historial documents to help me in pursuit of a little colour and adventure…despite never meeting Keith personally(was going to see him next week)…Keith as his time as a possum hunter and prospector explored more ground than we can only imagine of this great land of ours…and if we can take anything from Keith’s life going forward is that we have to keep the passion and our right in the pursuit of gold for all kiwi’s…RIP Keith you will be missed.
6 Likes
Dad giving my kids, his grandkids, a taste for the prospecting life. Anyone that wishes to take a bunch of rookies out, let me know, the kids, my husband and I are always keen to adventure.
5 Likes
Just as Keith was always welcome to my place so would be his family. Nothing guaranteed and according to one member of this forum there is nothing on my place but one never knows. Bring the family across for an East Coast holiday - the weather here is just as bloody dismal as it is at Puysegur point! A gram or two for the kids is guaranteed though! See a bit of new country.
5 Likes
We will take you up on that in 2021.
2 Likes
RIP Keith. My thoughts are with you and your family. You were the type of person that made me want to come and settle in NZ. It was a real pleasure to have you as a customer and a mate. Your stories on here will be greatly missed by many. Hope to say a final goodbye on the 8th.
4 Likes
RIP.Keith the time spent with you was not wasted.
It was always interesting and productive .PS you win.
2 Likes
We all knew it was going to happen… but still a shock when it does RIP Keith, I only met him once at a forum meet up at Marble Hill. A big tall guy with a great attitude, will miss your stories here in the forum.
2 Likes
RIP Keith. A genuine west coast good bugger
4 Likes
The same meet Keith at Marble Hill Too, Nice Block had a bleed good chat he will be missed RIP Keith
2 Likes
I meet Keith a couple of months ago at his home after reading about some of his antics in the local hills, What a bloke, He gave me more info than i could possibly absorb,and when i do get up there, the color in the bottom of the pan will always have his name on it. CHEERS Keith;;;;
3 Likes
Lilly bought herself a metal detector with her xmas money. Wants to be just like grandad 
she is 7 (turning 8 in feb)
11 Likes
Foster the interest - hide old halfpennies and pennies and things in the yard for her to find - genuine treasure from yesteryear!
4 Likes
What a fantastic idea!!! Will have to find some now 
1 Like
Hi Folks.
Well we had a good turnout of Paydirt members for Keith’s Memorial Service, here at Westport today. A good number from over the hill, plus John and his Missus (Kiwijw) from Queenstown. It was a fitting, moving service for our mate who is now at his new address. His family spoke well and indeed paid him many fine tributes, which he firmly deserved. Us goldminers being the tight lipped bugga’s we are quietly sat in the back row, remembering Keith and each in our own way, fare welling him.
Although it wasn’t quite so tight lipped in my motorhome last night, where John and his Missus, Gavin and I scoffed a few grogs. As as the night grew longer so did the tall tails. Keith’s ears would have been flapping, as a few secret possie"s were discussed.
Farewell Keith it was a privilege to call you my friend.
Cheers Trev aka “The Mad Hatter”
16 Likes
Hi Folks.
This one is for those that know Keith and also his family. It’s kinda my eulogy to a good keen man. I can write better than I can speak. And ya all know from time to time I can write a good yarn.
The wind swept up the valley, the mountain mist enshrouding the lonely hut, perched on the ridge. A wisp of smoke rose from the corrugated iron makeshift chimney. A clap of thunder boomed out filling the valley with its splendor.
Bugga said Barry, looks like I have a guest for a while. I wish the boss could find a quieter way to let me know. Well until this new arrival finds his feet up here. It looks like I’m the man on the spot.
Ahoy the hut, he heard the cry ring out. Frig thought Barry, it must be the ancient mariner, with this Ahoy bit. Bugga I know frig all about boats and all that stuff. But I had better play along here. So yelled back, climb aboard matey. The sails are set and we have fair winds.
Out of the mist came the reply, your a hut, not a bloody boat, get a grip of yourself. Get a grip of yourself Barry yelled back, or ya can piss off and find another boat, oops I mean hut. Well the voice said, now we are starting to get somewhere. I’m a bit lost, this is new territory to me. Never been up this valley before. Has it got a name. Yep Barry yelled back, it;s called Paradise Valley. Paradise my arse said the voice, its raining, its cold, Im freezing and I need somewhere to sling my hammock, oops I mean my sleeping bag. Why are we playing this nautical bullshit game anyway. Well said Barry you started it, not me. Okay lets start again said the voice. " Hullo the hut" Geez that"s better yelled Barry back. The doors open. Out of the mist appeared the newly announced guest. An oilskin parka adorned him, and corduroy trousers. Frig thought Barry at least he is dressed right. And bugga me days that a SMLE 303 has has slung over his shoulder. I just might to get to like this guy.
Into the hut the guest came. Shook himself like a black dog after a swim, with water cascading in all directions. Geez thought Barry does he think I need a shower. I don’t smell that bad. I took a dip in the tarn a year ago. Oh well shit happens. Gidday mate, what you doing up here. Well, that"s a bit of a long story, the guest replied.
And as usual with my stories. To be continued.
Cheers Trev aka “The Mad Hatter”
9 Likes
Hi Trev
I’m awaiting the next bit.
Caz
1 Like
It was a pleasure to attend Keith’s memorial service - thank you. It looked like he lived a full and fun life, making the most of the time he had here and obviously left a lasting impression on all who crossed his path.
I still remember my first meeting with him clearly… “Oi, claim jumper! I’ve got your rego you know!” to which me and a mate sheepishly clambered back out of the bush we were attempting to bash through up the side of a gorge. When he saw I only had a detector… “Oh, is that all you’ve got. It’s easier to get up on the other side.”. He originally thought we were trying to smuggle a dredge in. That was in my naive early gold prospecting years.
5 Likes
Geez I so remember that!!!
“Continued”
Allow me to introduce my self, me names Keith. I’m from Hector on the coast. “No need to go into all that. The boss kinda let me know you were coming”. I see you found the pass, so that was good. Anyway mate sling your pack over there, by mine. See ya got the good ole three oh. And a mountain mule pack. Best packs ever made. Those K9 things rot out pretty quickly. Ya can’t beat good ole canvas. Bring any ammo with you. Yep about a thousand rounds. Good I’m running a bit low. Hope it’s all solid nose, we don’t do hollow up here, in Paradise Valley. “Only stuff I have ever used”. Good on ya mate. Right well I see you came to the right place. Sometimes the boss gets a bit confused, and people end up everywhere. There’s not much point sending a sailor up here. One he ain’t got no ammo, and two the bloody ocean is miles away. So what bought you here. Well cancer Barry. Yep got me too. Bugga of a thing to deal with, buts there lots of other things out there which get ya to. Guess we can’t all live forever, some go younger, some go older.That’s just the way of life as you knew it then. It’s a bit of a bugga to move on and leave family and mates behind. But trust me, you will meet up again one day. It’s just a matter of building a bigger hut when the time comes. "Anyway Keith, what did you choose. Pushing up daises or Club Med. I went for Club Med Barry. Had no good reason to buy another small bit of real estate. I agree mate, with the price of real estate down there these days, it saves a few bucks. What kind of service did ya have. A Memorial one Barry, at the Sallies in Westport. Frig Westport eh. I lived down Barrytown for a few years. Loved the Coast. Many turn up Keith. Yep the place was pretty full, even the Pipe band was there. And played me a few tunes. There’s a bit of scotch in me. What liquor ya mean Keith. na Barry ya silly ole bugga. It’s in me blood, Scottish heritage. Oh okay. So after Club Med, what are your plan"s, for you know what. Those things the pommie crickers play for over in England. Yeh well not mine Barry, I’m going to the Poulter hut, up Arthurs Pass, my favorite place and so many good memories of the place. Good call mate. I know the place. Bit of a hike in though. Your right there Barry, guess the family and the mates will have to get a bit fit. It’s kinda a challenge I left them. They could always chopper in Keith, did ya think of that. Yeh, but they would have to sell the landy Barry, to do that. And that’s definitely a no no. Even if it is a Range Rover, it;s still a Landy. Had a real one before that, but knocked it off, so the Missus had a decent set of wheels she could handle a bit more comfortably. Good thinking there Keith. Did ya go to your Memorial Service Keith. To bloody right to right I did Barry, apart from wanting to see how many turned up, I wanted to be there with my family and mates. I sat there right up in the front row next to my dear wife and daughter and family and grandies. It was an epic memorial service. Okay that"s enough for now Keith, ya must be tired. We will have a brew and then hit the sack. As a newbie you get the top bunk, so no farting okay.
Here’s one for you Keith. Don’t worry mate, the pipes kick in at the end. It’s “The Gael” aka the “Kiss” The theme used in the last of the Mohicans. In a way you are the last of "The Mountain Men of your era. So I will call it “The Last of the Mountain Men” Enjoy. Caz I asked Richard if you guys could play this when they were performing outside New World, a week or two back. He knows and has heard it played on the pipes. So we will see where it goes. A little birdy told me you also play the pipes.
To be continued.
Cheers Trev aka “The Mad Hatter”
6 Likes