New Zealand: The Pine Plantation
I stand by the side of the road in the steadily falling rain watching cars, pick up truck and vans drive by. I have no idea what Anial looks like. […]
New Zealand: Hawkes Bay
I could wake up in a holiday park, on the beach, in a reserve, in a car park. If I woke up in enough different places, could I wake up […]
New Zealand: Lake Waikaremoana
I pass through three different shops in Napier as I prepare for the last of the Great Walks; Lake Waikaremoana. I do things differently for the fist time in a […]
New Zealand: Cross Country
After almost two months of getting away with it, I have to fill up the water tanks on the van. The sink foams, reminding me I’d only done half a […]
New Zealand: Around the Mountain (Taranaki)
Anvil headed black clouds sit over the grey sea. The rain is coming. 10 centimetres any time from now. I don’t want to go anyway, so I don’t. Another day […]
New Zealand: Round the Mountain (Ruapehu)
There is no room in Waihohonu Hut tonight. Nor is there any room four nights from now. Neither way around Ruapehu will work if I leave today. I remain unconvinced […]
New Zealand: The Tongariro Northern Circuit
Once again I find I have travelled halfway across the North Island in a day. The Central Plateau reminds me of the Scottish Highlands, of the Welsh Mountains. Of something, […]
New Zealand: Wellington
The temporary permanence of Kentishman Hops gave me the illusion of stability. Things were normal. Same faces, every day. I knew my way to the supermarket, which aisle the baked […]
New Zealand: Hop Harvest 2021
The mornings grow darker with autumn’s approach. I step out of the van in to the cold air. Light glows around the edge of the curtains of the two caravans […]
New Zealand: Kentishman Hops
I tell myself a lie. I don’t need an alarm. The truth is I am an early riser. I wake up at 6:42am. Did I wake up naturally or did […]
