7 August 2021 The skies have stayed clear overnight but there is a very strong wind, which means that with the wind chill factor it is exceeding cold this morning. We have planned to go up to the Astro Cafe at the Mt John Observatory for breakfast and hope that the road hasn't iced up. It doesn't open until 10.00am so we have a leisurely start enjoying a cup of tea/coffee while enjoying the view over Lake Tekapo. Our luck holds and the road is open. At the top the wind is so strong that we … [Read more...]

6 August 2021 Today is forecast to be the best day of our stay so we decide to drive to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park - about an hour's drive away. As we head across the plains we encounter huge bands of clouds and banks of fog, which make for interesting driving particularly as we encounter a large herd of cows that have got through a gate and are about to cross the main highway. We drive past and flash our headlights at people coming the other way, and others stop to try to convince the cows … [Read more...]

5 August 2021 We had been expecting it to snow today so it was a pleasant surprise to see the sun come up over the mountains, even if struggling to peak through the clouds. Our holiday home was positioned on a hill looking out over Lake Tekapo and we indulged in having our morning cuppa enjoying the view whilst trying to decide what to do for the day. It was still very cold (0C plus wind chill) and the ever-changing clouds gave the day a very moody feel to it. We decided to head down … [Read more...]

4-8 August 2021 Winter is a great time to go stargazing and choosing a time when there is a new moon (and clear skies) maximises the chance that you will see the stars. And if you are far enough south (or north) then there is always a chance that you might be able to see an aurora as well. I have been fortunate to see the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) on my trip to Greenland but I am still keen to see the Southern Lights (Aurora australis) as well. So, with friends Margot and Chloe, I … [Read more...]

I was fortunate enough recently to go on a Waiheke Island weekend escape. For those of you who aren’t from New Zealand, Waiheke Island is an island in the Hauraki Gulf around Auckland. It has about 10,000 permanent residents and 3-4 times that over the summer. It is well known for its beautiful beaches and subtropical climate, and for its wineries. I was going over for a wedding (being held at a winery) and lucky to be able to stay with a friend Chloe who lives on Waiheke. I decided to take … [Read more...]

I've just been to the Van Gogh Alive Experience and was blown away by the huge number of paintings Vincent Van Gogh had painted. There are the main ones of course that I was familiar with but it wasn't until I saw this exhibition that I truly realised quite how prolific he had been - over 2000 works, around half of which were paintings. It was fantastic to see them displayed in a way that showed the various themes, subjects and locations of his work, making them all seem familiar. I really like … [Read more...]

I have just been on the Incredible Rooftop Tour at Auckland's War Memorial Museum. It is a new tour that the Museum has launched as a way to raise funds now that it is not receiving income from overseas visitors due to COVID. It is an amazing way to see aspects of our city that we don't normally get to see: both to see behind the scenes at the museum and to admire spectacular views of the city. I went with friends Dominique, Hamish and Doreen. We meet our guide Neil in the foyer just … [Read more...]

I recently visited Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in the Waikato District and was privileged to see some of New Zealand's wildlife treasures up close and without a fence between us. Sanctuary Mountain was first conceived in 1998 by a Waikato farmer who had a mountain on his property with remnants of original native bush that had escaped logging and clearing. It had been recognized as a reserve for a long time but he had a dream to put a predator-proof fence around the mountain that could … [Read more...]

I have always been keen to walk the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks, and with COVID19 closing the borders to tourists there could be no better time to walk this popular track. Many New Zealanders choose to walk the Routeburn Track as 'freedom walkers' and places are booked in the Department of Conservation huts within hours of bookings opening each season. I am no longer able to carry a heavy backpack so I decided to book a guided walk through Ultimate Hikes. It is more … [Read more...]

17 December 2020 We start early today, meeting at the Ultimate Hikes Centre in Queenstown at 6.30 am. We are on the bus by 6.45am, heading down beside Lake Whakatipu to Te Anau and being entertained by driver Pete's stories. After a hearty morning tea of fresh scones and other goodies in Te Anau we have the final part of our drive on the scenic Milford Road to start the track at the Divide. It has been raining on and off throughout our drive but when we start our walk (around 11am) we … [Read more...]