We have just spent a very special weekend in Observatory Hotel, a new boutique hotel which is in the middle of the Old revitalised Arts Centre. It was magic. Nothing about this hotel screams "generic". There are art and history books to read, comfortable sitting areas, and at the top I found a quiet room to zoom one early morning - the Conservatory. It is midwinter and … [Read more...]
Te Awa River Ride
Cambridge is a good sized country town 20 minutes from Hamilton metropolis - we are here to see friends and to explore some of the Te Awa River Ride Waikato River Trails we have heard so much about. In between rides, we can explore the galleries, cafēs and antique shops that line the main street. Te Awa River ride towards Hamilton via the Velodrome An easy gentle ride to … [Read more...]
Frankton is our base for some Queenstown Cycleways
Cycling Trip March 2022 Otago Queenstown Part 3 Queenstown is not my favourite place - but it is in one of the most beautiful locations in New Zealand. The secret is stay in – Arrowtown, or Frankton or Lake Hayes. All of these have an amazing network of hundreds of kilometres of cycle trails linking you to the great outdoors. Tip 1: Don’t stay in … [Read more...]
Lake Dunstan Trail
Cycling Trip March 2022 Otago Queenstown Part 2 Last year we did the Pisa Landing to Bannockburn part of the trail a week before the rest of the trail opened. So this year we are back to do the real thing – it seems about 500 other people have the same idea. Bannockburn Bridge is our starting point – only 33.9 kms from here – less range anxiety with my Moustache … [Read more...]
Cromwell here we come
Cycling Trip March 2022 Otago Queenstown Part 1 We are heading off in our caravan for a week of cycling in Central Otago and Queenstown – the highlight of the trip is to be the new Dunstan Cycle Trail. Towing a caravan slows us down somewhat, so we decide to break our journey to Central Otago (from Christchurch) in Lake Tekapo. We love the Lake Tekapo Motels and … [Read more...]
Rakiura – Land of the Glowing Skies
Rakiura is the third main island of New Zealand - at the bottom of the South Island. An invitation to step back in time, to an ancient landscape where the forest and its wildlife is reclaiming the land and the 400 residents are largely left to hug the shoreline of the island’s eastern bays. It is summer time and we are some of the 400 visitors visiting Rakiura/Stewart … [Read more...]
Christchurch to Bluff via The Catlins
Driving from Christchurch to Bluff you go through some astounding landscapes, and some truly boring ones. We have decided to take two days of it, and after staying in Dunedin we head off on the coastal scenic route through the Catlins. I have never been before, and this is a recce trip with a view to a longer stay some time. We were not disappointed, we will be … [Read more...]
Pukatea – Whites Bay Blenheim
What is not to like – this is New Zealand at it’s best – accessible but off the beaten track Pukatea or Whites Bay is a beautiful Department of Conservation (DOC) campground Surrounded by native bush full of birds with a safe beach and heaps of walks to explore. At night a short walk will lead you to a beautiful glow worm grotto. During the day you … [Read more...]
On the Coastal Pacific to Blenheim for the weekend
Waiharakeke is the name for Blenheim and we have decided to do an overnight mid winter trip on the Coastal Pacific Train and take our ebikes. Loading our bikes on the train in Christchurch at 6.30am in the middle of winter was a stretch for this normally late riser. (You can leave your car at the station for free) But it was worth it. I dozed a little until the sun came … [Read more...]
Toi Kari Women’s Retreat Raglan
Toi Kari Retreat is a boutique garden studio located near the peaceful waters’ edge in beautiful Lorenzen Bay New Zealand. Raglan is a small coastal town on the west coast of New Zealand, 2 hours south of Auckland, renowned for its surf, beaches, harbour, volcano, waterfall, great cafes, artisan shops, artists, health and wellbeing practitioners and sustainability. Long … [Read more...]