OFF AIR Travelling like a tourist at home

I recently drove from Stratford to Taumarunui via the Forgotten World Highway (SH43).

Like many locals, I’ve done the trip before, but always hurriedly, cursing the tight bends which induce nausea if you go too fast. However, this time I took my time.

In fact, my return trip (which took in O¯ hura) took 10 hours. I wanted to experience the journey through the imaginary eyes of a tourist. Needless to say, it was an enthralling experience. I bumped into Kevin at Kohuratahi. He’s a young man from England who lives frugally in the old Giltrap general store. I’d stopped to take a photo of Taranaki’s most isolated cenotaph. Kevin, who wouldn’t give me his last name, works parttime at the Whangamomona Hotel. He lives off the grid and hasn’t had a power bill for six years. More soldiers (per head of population) were killed during World War I from the districts of Whangamomona, Kohurati and Tahora than anywhere else in the world.

For me, the poignant highlight was visiting Joshua Morgan’s grave near the Tangarakau Bridge. The 35-year-old surveyor took ill and died in 1893. His wife Ann 61 years later had her ashes interned beside him. There’s a public toilet nearby and students from the Marco School have painted it. It’s a touching tribute to the intrepid surveyor. I was moved and impressed by this. Joshua Morgan’s grave and his tragic story and legacy affected me. Why? Because I stopped and visited his grave. Furthermore, I read his story thanks to the informative Heritage Trail signboard.

There are dozens of these along SH43, bringing history to life — including the fact that the Dean Cup is the world’s oldest rugby competition.

■ Bryan presents the Hokonui Breakfast Show every weekday morning. Listen to Hokonui in Stratford on 88.2FM.

Tune in to Bryan’s show to hear from local contributors, including Ilona Hanne, managing editor of the Stratford Press, every Monday and Wednesday at 8.05am.