My kiwi tramping friends laughed when I asked, of course, they said. I know, I know, but I do I need my ‘comfortable when wet” socks on today? Of course. So this is going to be a PROPER kiwi tramp then. They have this idea that the more remote, the better, for Julia,...

We waved the Ramblers off in Christchurch and set out.  Time to visit new places and connect again with old friends. We travelled off the beaten track, off grid, and discovered more - of a lot…. First stop: the Banks peninsula, a couple of hours’ drive from...

Canoeing down the Whanganui river. An epic journey, with our friends Andi, Mark, Judy, Erwin, Beth and Mike., 125km of river, mostly in the complete wilderness. After day one, there is, quite simply, no going back. Day one turned out to be very wet, we thought this...

What a great Ramblers tour I led with Tim, lots to share. It’s 3 years since my last trip, so I’m also reflecting on what’s changed. A good story needs jeopardy….and every great tour does too. Our adventure was full of the unknown right from the start: Would we get to...

After a second extended trip, I’ve seen a fair bit of the country through a visitor’s eyes, so here are some personal highlights…. useful if you are a keen walker planning a trip, or see what you think of my choices if you know them. Walks I loved(in no particular...

• I had never heard of steampunk. Retro futuristic literature, art, style….whatever, think about how people of the Victorian era, with their steam technology, might have imagined the future to be. Vaguely Jules Verne. The little seaside town of Oamaru, with its...