new horizons

After a great time in Abel Tasman I’m feeling the need to see some mountains and some snow. That’s what the south Island’s all about, right?  As I’ve just found out the road to Kaikoura is now open again after the earthquake back in November 2016, I’m heading there. Through Hanmer Springs and the Lewis… Continue reading Pass to Peace

I gave a lift to, and enjoyed the company of, an amazing young German couple (Josephine and Michael) who have hiked the length of North and South Islands. This took 5 months. They’re now filling in the gaps around the edge…..RESPECT! We arrived late just as the sun was setting over the flats at low tide.  … Continue reading Awesome Abel Tasman Nat. Park

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time driving. More a somewhere to somewhere else trip, through rural north island New Zealand, and I just happened to drive through a town with an unfeasibly long name, and Wallingford. It’ll mean something to some old friends, (whom I miss). I hope you know who you are.… Continue reading Wairarapa and the Cook Straight.

Leaving Waiotapu, I decided to take the road through the mountains of the Huiarau Range, past Lake Waikaremoana. All was easy until shortly after Te Wahiti. When I stopped for a coffee, 3 hours later at Aniwaniwa, the lovely Maori lady’s comment said it all. “You came over in that?” pointing at the camper. “That’s good eh!” Big smile! I pressed… Continue reading Napier or bust!

Bloody hell, I was just about to call it a day. All jolly interesting and sulphurous pooly, when Colours, steam and the stink of sulphur. I expected my old mate, PAN, to saunter round the corner at every turn. A before and after from the day also   Off to somewhere else unpronounceable on a… Continue reading WAIOTAPU-Geothermal wonderland

A walk to New Chums Beach (a local secret – thanks for the nod, Warren and Sandy) – Robinson Crusoe stuff after a – dune topping, estuary wading, beach tramping and muddy path over the mountain track walking, hour or so.   Duck through the overhanging trees to………… Bloody Fabulous. A lost world. Lovely afternoon light… Continue reading New Chums and Green Water Thinking!

Culling the local wild pigs (boars only are targeted to keep the population down) is a Hunt, with dogs in the old tradition of land and animal management although you may not like the images, it’s part and parcel of the way of life on the Coromandel Peninsula, and is indeed a big family Sunday day out… Continue reading The Pig Hunt