Driving back to Wellington from Taranaki I was struck by the number of empty building along the road. Many of them were disused dairies, a sign of changing times. Equally on the South Island I noticed a vast number of distressed huts and sheds in the fields. As I am getting ready to leave New … More A new project?
A short post today, because I am…..mmmm….. otherwise occupied with a good book! I have spent the last two days reading a book but every so often I peered over the top of it to make sure the world was in order. Am in a small town called Pohara, in Golden Bay. Yesterday it mostly rained all … More Watching the grass grow
My time in New Zealand is coming to an end. It wasn’t planned but one of my last hikes here was along the aptly named Cape Farewell which is the most northerly point on the South Island. It was originally discovered by Abel Tasman and later named by Captain Cook in 1770 as it was … More Cape Farewell
Some days in New Zealand I have seen more sheep than people. Although I suspect this one thought he was concealed by a rock. Either way I feel he was approaching the day on his terms. There are many (mainly bad) jokes about the number of sheep in New Zealand relative to the number of people … More What are EWE laughing at?
The car is parked. In fact I have run out of road! Have arrived at Wharariki Beach on the north-west tip of the South Island. It’s been a while since I have been to the beach. This wasn’t a day for deckchairs and sunloungers though. Although sunny, it’s a little cool so wont be topping up the … More Sundown
One morning last week, I was taking some photographs at a jetty on Lake Rotoiti when this duck caught my eye. Like me, he was having a gentle stroll and every so often stopping for a stretch and the occasional yawn to wake up and greet the day. Wonder what was on his or her mind………….. … More Company in the morning
I am somewhat of a planner but I don’t like having a trip so tightly organised that you cannot change day-to-day. Just as well, as the weather here has been unseasonably stormy the last few days so I think we are closer to Plan G than B at this stage. We are on the north of … More Beer and Mountains
Niamh on Leave 