I don't think that I could be considered a "normal female". I know that women are supposed to drool over fashion catalogues, but how many women do you know that drool over the Tasman work wear catalogue. I salivate over the full length Oilskin riding coats and other such exotic rainwear.

The Traditional Full length Oilskin Riding Coat is the pinnacle of Oscar Eide's range. It is a coat synonymous with the character of New Zealand rural life. This coat has been made to stand up to all types of work as seen by its features: Shoulder cape with under arm straps. Rear fantail inset panel with back flap closing snaps. Inner leg straps. Cotton lining. Double closure snaps down the front of the coat. Adjustable Wrist straps. Two deep roomy pockets. Reinforced elbows. Heavy duty stitching. Made from heavy 12oz Oilskin cloth

 I drooled some more over the boots and steel-toed footwear. Created shopping lists on the polypropylene and long-john underwear page, and keep a severe check on myself on the Swanndri/bushshirt pages (I have 3 already in assorted colours, don't really need more).

In this picture, I am not just grinning because I hold a rare tuatara on my lap, but also because I am dressed the way I prefer; bushshirt and boots. In this case, it was too cold to wear shorts and polypro so I wore jeans, but usually I look more like this.

Mind you after crashing around in the bush for more than 4 years wearing the same shorts, polypro's and bushshirt things were starting to look pretty tatty.

I've already had to invest in a new pair of tramping boots because New Zealand weather and terrain conditions are murder on boots. The first pair of boots, featuring on the tuatara picture, were wonderful. Garmonts - put them on and wore them for a week solid in the bush, never had any problems blister-wise, however because of the soft leather they more or less rotted away over one very wet PhD winter.

My second pair of Garmont boots is still with me after nearly 3 years. Oil impregnated leather, tough as old boots, and I've never been quite sure whether I am wearing the boots in or whether they are wearing me in. I always carry some unwashed sheep fleece with me in case the boots cause yet more blisters on my heels.

My latest acquisition is an oilskin cape from the Eidex range. Sort of like the stockman coat above, but without a front or sleeves, just the back and shoulders. Great for in the bush and folds away into a small packet that you can hang over your belt. When I asked for one from the local stockman supply store they told me only pig hunters bought capes like this - that makes me grin hugely, me the almighty pig hunter - yeah sure.

I always am hassled when I turn up at work wearing the above outfits. I must admit they aren't the height of fashion, but very workable in the bush. "What!", I see you think, "she works for a government department and she doesn't wear a uniform?" Or, "I'm sure DoC staff have uniforms, I've seen them." Yup, some DoC staff do have uniforms, but not all by a long shot. If you work out in the bush a lot, or have frequent contact with the public then you get a uniform (either the field or office version as appropriate). This means that most conservancy staff - who are mostly office bound - don't have a uniform.

I have a case for get the field portion of the uniform though, I'm supposed to spend half my time away from the desk. It took me nearly 6 months to decide that I did want a uniform. The overriding reason against getting a uniform was that DoC is always strapped for cash, and I would rather that DoC spend the money on the environment than in fitting me out with a field uniform. However, being out in the bush also carries responsibilities, especially because I will be spending a lot of time off-track in popular tourist spots like Mt Egmont National Park. I don't want people to get the impression that it is OK to leave the tracks in the park and just go wandering around. Wearing a DoC uniform gives you the automatic authority to do so without lengthy explanations.

Mind you, I was also starting to feel rather self conscious about the holes, rips, fraying edges and zips that refuse to stay up in my bush gear. So either DoC or I was going to have to fork out for new bush clothes. After some discussion with one of my managers, and lots of encouragement from other DoC field personnel I finally put in for a uniform.

It was just like Christmas come early when the big box of stuff arrived on my desk. Shorts, trousers, shirts of various sorts, jumpers, and a lace front hooded Swanndri bushshirt Described by Swanndri as "the all time favourite, the one that started it all. Fully lined attached hood. Lace front with internal storm flap. Seamless shoulders for maximum weather protection."

The clothing I got is all a lot more fancy and fashionable then I would normally wear in the bush, but hey! DoC has an image to maintain. So now I am nearly fully kitted out (some things were too small and had to be send back for exchange) in DoC olive-grey green and proud of it. If I ever get my colours done I'm sure that I will be told that I should avoid the DoC colours at all cost, as they make me look pasty, but so what.

Ofcourse now I get hassled by the other conservancy staff because I am now the only one in the office with a uniform. Can't win. Took my clothes out for a trail the other week and they do OK.