I’m going to say it’s not often I get to ride down Memorial Avenue, no hands, on the mountain bike. But I did exactly that Wednesday, on a glorious sunny Christchurch winters afternoon.  Memorial Ave is the main road between the city and the airport. We live exactly half way between both.  (And Maggie May – don’t panic – you mother figure you, I did … Continue reading Delta…..you nasty piece of works…..

It’s pissing rain in Christchurch It seems the Ballarat weather has followed us here But I don’t mind It seems I am materialistic Not in the traditional sense of the word I don’t care about what car you drive or what house you live in You only need what you need Seems I need the comfort, the security and the familiarity of my ‘stuff’ So … Continue reading Top of the morning to you Chch!

Heading home.Yes back to Christchurch.One thing this snap Victorian lockdown has shown me is that even though 2/3 of my family and many of my friends are in Victoria, and therefore that’s where my heart often is, Christchurch is my home.When lockdown began we were lucky enough to be staying with our beautiful friends, Julie and Gary. An opportunity mandatorily created to spend quality time … Continue reading Oh Victoria……..

An 80% riding, rest of it walking day.  Spectacular start with wide tracks running beside the water race. The path itself follows an historic power station water race as it twists and turns along the edge of a scenic reserve. All in all, absolutely stunning.  The DoC website states: This track is also suitable for mountain biking and is part of the West Coast Wildnerness Trail. … Continue reading Lake Kaniere Water Race – Mountain Biking – Hokitika, day three

Lake Kaniere.  We have a love, hate relationship.  Love of the beautiful body of water and amazing scenery you are.  Hate, of your ‘supposed’ biking track.  In the immortal words of Paul Hogan ‘that isn’t a knife’  Okay read track.  We commenced our ride from the car park with high hopes and expectations. In the first 200m we saw two couples, one of whom said, … Continue reading Lake Kaniere – Mountain Biking – Hokitika, day two

‘This is some serious shit’ ‘The guys that do this are seriously nutters’. Direct quote from Doug. We were at Blue Spur mountain biking track. In Hokitika. Not sure why I am included in these adventures to be honest.  I am definitely the weak link in the group, and Bruiser, well I couldn’t say Bruiser has had much mountain biking experience. In fact, the bike … Continue reading Blue Spur Track – Mountain Biking – Hokitika, day one

The Drive from Christchurch to Hokitika over Arthurs Pass is pretty amazing. I wouldn’t want to drive it in the winter but you can’t help wondering how truly spectacular it would look with snow capped mountains.  But first, before Arthur’s Pass, one must stop at the world famous (in NZ) Sheffield pie shop. It must be famous because there is a sign at the front … Continue reading Christchurch to Hokitika

I am pretty sure I have undervalued Akaroa. Thought I had been and done all that I needed too there. Turns out I haven’t. I’ve been to The Giants House and wow was that something special! At the time I had no idea what it was but our o.s. visitors wanted to check it out. So we did.  And I’m glad we did. The Giants … Continue reading Akaroa

My friend Pete had been at me to write. ‘When am I going to be able to read from MaureenBetty’, he kept asking. I haven’t felt like writing I told him. His response? Well write about that. Well I wrote a little last week and I guess I touched on this.  It’s been a big tough year. There are no two ways about it. It’s … Continue reading Queens & Kings of Change?