Category: New Zealand

I spent a few more days with the Mercy Sisters in Christchurch before flying up to Auckland. The picture above is Christchurch’s Anglican Cathedral which suffered in the earthquake of 2010. Christchurch is still struggling after the earthquake, a lot of people and businesses have moved out. The city hasn’t been rebuilt. There is a…… Continue reading Christchurch to Auckland

I’m in New Zealand for two months but I’m only cycle touring for two and half weeks as New Zealanders are really nice people but not great motorists when it comes to cyclists. I’ll also spending time catching up with ex-students and teachers from the Tongan school that I used to work in and also…… Continue reading Cycle Touring in New Zealand

The scenery continued to be spectacular as I cycled south to Wanaka. There were various names for all of the different creeks. Thirsty Creek was really thirsty and Black Creek was black. Sunset at Lake Paringa. New Zealand doesn’t have any poisonous snakes or spiders or bears etc. They just have sandflies, tiny little flies…… Continue reading Ross to Queenstown

I thought that it was a Kiwi, but it’s actually a weka. A very nosey bird. The scenery on the West Coast of the South Island has been amazing Get a hole in one and win $2k. The hole is on the little island in the middle of the lake. My first night of camping…… Continue reading It’s a Weka

The scenery so far has been amazing and so at the moment I’m trying to decide whether to extend my time in NZ or whether to keep it as it is. I know a very nice dilemma to have.

Margaret lives in Leicester and has come on a few of my bike rides back in Leicester. She’s a New Zealander and goes home every year and just by chance I bumped into her!! She lives in Christchurch when she’s back in New Zealand. The trail when I rode it had only a few people…… Continue reading It’s Margaret!!

New Zealand has invested millions into its cycle trails. So my first ride was from Greymouth to Ross, which was an easy off road route which was well signposted with Amazing scenery.

I arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand in the early hours of the morning and Sister Monika picked me up. I met Monika 25 years ago when we were teaching at Takuilau College in Tonga. I haven’t seen her in 23 years. I spent a week and a half with sister Monika and the other Sisters…… Continue reading Christchurch