New Zealand: The Pinnacles
The bed in my van is my sanctuary. More comfortable than sleeping in a tent. If I can keep the bed dry that will be enough. I can deal with […]
New Zealand: The Coromandel Coastal Walkway
I’d spent the morning in Whitihanga’s library, using the free wifi, hiding from rain that still hadn’t arrived. Annoyed I’d wasted dry hours, restless, I went for a run around […]
New Zealand: Cathedral Cove
The rain in Waihi signalled the beginning of the end, only the end of the good weather though. I was now on a mission, to see as much as I […]
New Zealand: Gold Mining in Karangahake Gorge
Going to sleep on the East coast means waking up for sunrise. I’m approaching the top end of the North Island. Soon I’ll be turning around, heading South on the […]
New Zealand: Poetry in the Western Bay of Plenty
The wind shakes the van. I don’t remember the last night something wasn’t disturbing the peace. Wind, rain, the cold, car parks with unreasonably bright street lights, the nauseating aroma […]
New Zealand: Waimangu Volcanic Valley
I started going back towards Whirinaki, back the way I’d come. Only I didn’t get anywhere near as far. I pulled in to the car park at Waimangu Volcanic Valley […]
New Zealand: Sulphur and Snow
I’d made up my mind, I was driving inland. I finally left Whakatane. The promise of hot pools and hiking trails pushed me towards Rotorua. I turned away from the coast […]
New Zealand: Weather Warnings for Whakatane
I had one day and one walk. Amber weather warnings were popping up over all potential destinations. I left Island View Holiday Park before 9am. I was in Ōhope with […]
New Zealand: The Waioeka Gorge
State Highway 35 wriggles along the coastal hills. There are multiple slips on the road. Some are little more than a handful of pebbles, others cover a whole lane. Gaps […]
New Zealand: The East Cape
After the Rocket Lab launch I returned to Gisborne. A light had appeared on my dashboard that I hadn’t seen before. Having driven brand new, high performance vehicles for the […]
