With three months since my previous post, I once again discovered the difficulties of writing something which I felt may be of interest as I led what became for me, typical day to day life. Unusual as it may sound to consider working on a mountain an uninteresting tale, rather I mean that as this …
So after another amazing couple of months in Australia, a time filled with festivals; Woodford friends; a getaway at Rainbow Beach (backed by walls a multi shade of sandy yellows); and the beautiful hinterland vistas in the Sunshine Coast, I made my way back to New Zealand. Back to the mountain. A couple of months …
The ferry returned us to Wellington to see the sprawl of houses among the hills basked in orange light cast down from above. That night we were to stay on the outskirts of the city, ready to set out on the northern road the following morning. Our ‘campsite’ was a beach side car park, with …
What started as an impairment to our view, became a key element in creating a wonderfully atmospheric and enchanting silent drama. Having gotten up early to see Lake Matheson, with the hope of still waters and a mirror image, the land was filled with low land fog. As we walked around the lake edge to …
Our final few moments on the North Island were much more eventful than planned. Miscommunication meant we were a man down for a short spell when we should have been heading toward the ferry terminal. Then, with all three now on board, Team Cockpit shared a dual sinking feeling as the motorhome thunked along with …
A year and a half ago I’d been overjoyed to share my travelling ways with my dad. Now I was lucky enough to be welcoming a second lot of visitors. My mum and step-dad (Ian) were joining me on the open road, the three of us embarking on a four week motorhome tour of New …
And so after my four month sabbatical, I am once again here to grace you with my presence (/words). As I write this, I am two days into my new Australian adventure, but before I embellish, I’d like to recap on my final few months in New Zealand, my home for the last year and …
And so the final leg of my cycling journey began. With it, the most unenjoyable day on the road. I couldn’t tell you much about the scenery I passed that day as my entire being was focused on getting to my destination and off the busy highway as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, in true New …
From Te Araroa I had the first, and what turned out to be the only, windy day of my journey. After an initial ocean view the road once again turned inland and the next few hours were dedicated to green landscapes and winding roads. My battle with the wind, alongside my tiredness, meant I really …
The East Cape, without a doubt, was the most exciting, eventful and emotional part of my journey. Although it added 184km to my route, deciding to avoid the gorge and the 700m climb had resulted in my brain falling into relaxation mode. ‘There’s an easy road ahead’ it told my body, as I made my …
