Hawke's Bay native Beth Matheson and her partner Mike Reed live in Penticton, at the southern end of Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada, where she works as a helicopter mechanic. Both Beth and Mike are Kiwis who have been able to take advantage of having Canadian passports. They met years ago when they were both working the Australian fire season. Penticton enjoys long, hot summers, dry winters, and more than 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. So it's easy to see why its name is commonly translated (from the Interior Salish word snpintktn) as "a place to stay forever". Like Central Otago, the Okanagan is also renowned for its world-class wine, and Beth and Mike drive past no fewer than 33 wineries on their way home. Beth's Calling Home this morning.
New Zealander Beth Matheson in her role as a 'mugger' while doing animal research and tagging in Canada. Photo: Supplied/Beth Matheson
