Month: September 2024

The Old Pharts are back in overseas travel mode, as they head to England. They are flying Cathay Pacific, and have an overnight stopover in Hong Kong. As it is a brief stay, they rest overnight in the Regal Airport Hotel. More than adequate.

Very soon, it is back on the plane and on to Heathrow Airport, London. A late arrival means a stay at the Premier Hotel, near the airport. Once again, perfectly fine.

The next morning the rental car is collected, and the Pharts are heading to the South Coast, via Tunbridge Wells and Scotney Castle. It is wet and cold, and the travellers are tired, but manage a look around the castle and grounds. Then, on to Eastbourne and two nights in an AirBnb.

Dinner that night is at an Italian restaurant, a short walk along the road. It is called La Locanda Del Luca. Excellent food and service.

After a not particularly great nights sleep .. jet lag is still an issue .. the days dawns fine and sunny. In the morning Eastbourne is explored by foot. In the afternoon, they head up past Beechy Head to Burling Gap and the Seven Sisters.As they soon found it, this is a particular popular destination. People everywhere, in particular, tourists. Still, plenty of room for everyone and spectacular scenery.

Driving back to Eastbourne, we decided to have a look at the Sovereign Harbour complex. A mixture of retail, residential and commercial at the east end of Eastbourne. Marinas, locks and harbours, providing access to the sea. Most impressive.
Dinner is at the very busy Bistrot Pierre, which was excellent, followed by a walk along the Promenade and .. bed! The bodies have not adjusted as yet to the different time zone.

It is time once again for the Old Pharts to make their way south, for the annual ski week. They are staying in an apartment complex at Arthur’s Point. This is a small settlement about ten minutes out of Queenstown, and near the Coronet Peak access road.

Unfortunately this year our friends Cameron and Maria are unable to join us, due to Cameron’s work promotion, and leave changes.

We arrive to a very wet Queenstown, collect our rental car, purchase a few provisions then settle in to our digs. Dinner that evening is at Kobe Japanese restaurant at Millbrook resort. Excellent food and service!

After a solid night of rain, it is no surprise the next morning to see the ski fields are all closed. Ironically it is a nice warm day, so we walk around Lake Hayes. About 8kms, which takes just over an hour and a half. Lunch in Arrowtown, then we call in to Ayrburn, a new development nearby, with restaurants and plans for an upmarket retirement village.

Back to the apartment, and after a short rest, we explored the local area. A couple of good eating spots, plus nearby there is the Canyon Brewery.

Dinner was just down the road at Gantley’s Tavern. Good pub grub!

After heavy overnight rain, Coronet Peak is again closed for the day. The Remarkables is open, but snow quality is wet and heavy. We decide to drive to Arrowtown for an early lunch, then a round of golf at the nearby Arrowtown golf course.
We hire clubs and trundlers. The course is tight and challenging, with lots of surface water from the recent rain.

Dinner that evening is at La Ramblas in Arrowtown. We are joined by an old cricketing friend of Blair’s and long time Queenstown resident, Russell Mawhinney. Always great to catch up with Russ, and he is joining us again later in the week. The food was excellent. Small plates for sharing and a decent crowd in.

Wednesday dawned fine and frosty, and finally the Old Pharts had the skis on and were sliding gracefully down the piste.

Coronet Peak is busy but not crowded, with no queues for the main chair lifts. The snow is a bit sparse, with patches of ice coming through. By early afternoon the Pharts have had their fill, and make their way back to their apartment.

After a hard day on the slopes, nothing like a cold beer, then pizza for tea!

Another fine day forecast, and the Pharts load up the car and drive over to the Remarkables ski field. A busy day, with a reasonable snow covering, although it softens by late morning. The Pharts get lots of runs in, and are happy with their work.

Dinner was again at Gantley’s Tavern, as was breakfast the next morning. Their last day in Queenstown, so the Pharts hire e bikes from Arrowtown, and cycle the Arrow River Bridges trail out to Gibbston Valley. Lunch is pizza and a beer at the Gibbston Valley Tavern, before cycling back. A round trip of 40 kms along an excellent and scenic trail.

Dinner for our final night is once again Kobe Japanese restaurant at Millbrook. We are joined by Russell, and enjoy a great evening of excellent food and company.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and look forward to returning in February, when we cycle the Rail Trail and Lake Dunstan.