I’ve done just over 4500km by this point since buying the bike and it’s time for an oil change. I opt for a new filter too. I had called the shop from George’s house and they said it would be there by midday. The courier picks it up and takes it straight past the motorbike shop onto another job. This causes a 3 hour delay I could have done without.
Elastic Fantastic
The time had come. The small cage wheeled out over the canyon. It was a LONG way down. I had limited time to reflect on my life choices leading to this place…
Windy Walks
Oh God… What have I done… The alarm went off quietly under my pillow. As I woke I had the dawning realisation of what I had agreed to do today. It was 8am, early for backpackers. Particularly those who had been out the night before, drunk a bit too much and not had enough sleep. My foggy morning head wasn’t clearing as I dressed and wandered down to a cafe for a quick breakfast. I think my taste buds were also unenthusiastic about today’s prospective activity because the food didn’t taste of anything and didn’t help settle the growing nerves.
Parties, Passes and Petals
Heading for Queenstown today, about 350kms and 5 hours driving. I should have plenty of time to do a walk this morning right?
Not Quite Everest
Walking up a hill seems such a pointless task. Realistically, all modern comforts are available at the bottom of the hill these days. Our ancestors have done the hard labour, walking to fetch water and wood and precious stones from various parts of the mountain. Shouldn’t we just be content to luxuriate in our warm homes and look upon the mountains as the background to a time gone by? Why do we deliberately put ourselves in discomfort to walk up them for no purpose of advancement of our situation. Continue reading Not Quite Everest
West Coast Blast
Today I had quite a long bike journey ahead of me. Starting in Westport my destination was Franz Josef, the town that serves all the walkers and tours visiting the glacier. I had been told that this glacier was nothing on the ones in America, but as I’ve never seen a glacier before, I was looking forward to it.
Toddies And Toadstools
Today’s main event was the ferry ride over from Wellington to Picton. I was up at the crack of sparrows again to catch the ferry as the last check in was 8am on the other side of town. I had managed to find a place to tuck the bike away but it took some careful maneuvering between two cars to get it out again. Continue reading Toddies And Toadstools
Vivs Cream Horn
OK, strange title to this post so let’s clear that up right now…. The presumptions not the creamyness… Dirty minded… Continue reading Vivs Cream Horn
Tongariro Tramp
The mythical people of They weren’t wrong, this truly is the most spectacular one day hike I have ever done. The views you get are just the most incredible, wide eye, soul filling, indelibly memorable brain images I have ever had the fortune to capture. These are the sort of days I wish I was a professional photographer with a super amazing camera and skills to match so I could capture just a 10th of the scenery to share with you guys. Alas, my modest phone snaps are all I can provide to whet your imagination. Continue reading Tongariro Tramp
Surf n Scram
Want to go surfing tomorrow morning? (such a cool question…)
It’s only £10 to hire a wetsuit and surfboard, I definitely need the practice, so why not?