This summer I was the support vehicle for a group of friends doing the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail. I took my electric bike along and joined in for some of the best parts of the trail - you can read about it here. This fantastic 300 km ride goes from Aoraki Mt Cook (or Lake Tekapo) in the South Island of New Zealand. It takes you through some amazing country - past beautiful … [Read more...]
Stay like a Kiwi – Okarito Accommodation
Okarito is just north of Franz Josef on the West Coast of New Zealand. These days it is a sleepy seaside village with just 35 permanent inhabitants. It has known former life as a key area for Maori food gathering, and in 1866 it had 1500 residents during the height of the gold rush.It is the largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand, and a spectacular inland … [Read more...]
Kaikoura is back in Action and the Mediterranean Motel Kaikoura is the Place to Stay
Did the earth move for you? Just after midnight on the 14th November 2016 I was asleep 180 kms south of Kaikoura in Christchurch. Christchurch is used to earthquakes, but when we woke at this one, and it went on and on, we knew it was serious. We live by the coast and along with our neighbours and after some initial confusion, we jumped in our cars and … [Read more...]
Ghost Trail Place to Stay
The West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is a wonderful untamed wilderness area that offers something special to travelers. In the north-west corner of the coast you will find a new walking/cycling track called The Old Ghost Road. Nearby a perfect place to stay is New Creek Ferals. This Cosy bach is only 3 km from the Ghost trail, overlooks the Buller River sleeps 5 … [Read more...]
Staying in The Clarence Valley
Clarence is just north of Kaikoura at the top of the South Island. A group of us have decided to go rafting on the Clarence River, and since it is an early start, we decide to drive up the day before and stay overnight. We stayed at Ochiltree Retreat in the Clarence Valley A spacious character cottage set in a lovely garden – we all enjoyed the apples on the tree. Three … [Read more...]
Do you Love Italian Food – Cooking and Exploring Italy?
Lyn and Chris run The Gables Country House accommodation, cooking school and catering in Akaroa, near Christchurch in New Zealand and in the NZ winter head to Italy and their home in Puglia, where they lead small groups of mostly NZ people in exploring the tastes and texture that is Italy - in Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia. As experienced chefs, they offer a taste … [Read more...]
Golden Bay – off the beaten track in New Zealand
Nelson is at the top of the South Island, it is the gateway to the amazing Abel Tasman National Park. and the wonderful and productive hinterland of Tasman - great cycling here Northwest of Nelson is Golden Bay - a huge bay sheltered by the long arm of Farewell Spit. To get there you go over the Takaka Hill. It was many years after living in New Zealand before I drove … [Read more...]
Nelson and Abel Tasman
Our goal is to spend some time in the Abel Tasman National Park - but to do this, you need to go through Nelson, and why not enjoy it on the way! Nelson as a food bowl - in autumn the orchards dripping with apples, homegardens dripping with fruit, we were soon ladened down and are offered far more than we can carry, so sadly had to say no. … [Read more...]
Rowan Cottage – stay in Motueka (Nelson)
Accommodation in Motueka for everyone, and with a special welcome for women travelers at Rowan cottage Rowan Cottage has been a part of the women's travel accommodation network for years, and it was wonderful after emailing for many years, to finally get to stay there and to finally meet Renee and Trish and their small dog. Motueka is the gateway to the Abel Tasman National … [Read more...]
Juggling baby and businesses – Gay Ski Week In Queenstown
English-born Queenstown movers and shakers Sally and Mandy Whitewoods manage a 24/7 business and a baby. They spoke with Jenny Rankine about their lives, Gay Ski Week QT , and Aspen Lodge Hostel. Edited from the full article in TMLN Aspen Lodge Hostel Mandy and Sally had lived in Queenstown and worked in various tourism businessed when the opportunity to by Aspen Lodge … [Read more...]