Category: Golf, Travel,Nature

A brief, four day stay in Christchurch was dual purpose. Firstly, a catch up with son Scott and partner Eva, and to see the great Lloyd Cole live in concert.

Cole had commercial success in the ‘80’s with his band the “Commotions”, and has released a number of solo albums over the years. He has just released a new album, and the set features songs from the album, plus many from the past.

The concert is in two parts, with a solo Cole and acoustic guitar for 45 minutes, then a 20 minute break. After the break, he is joined by former “Commotion”, Neil Clark, also on acoustic guitar. Cole is in fine form, with his dead pan and slightly sarcastic banter, most amusing.

The concert is in the recently refurbished Town Hall, in the intimate James Hay theatre. About a thousand fans were treated to great comfort, plus tremendous sound and acoustics.

A walk through Hagley Park, and an explore of the central city followed the next morning. Since our last visit, the Riverside Market is now up and running. On the corner of Cashel and Litchfield Streets, it takes up the area of the old start up Container Mall. With a mixture of food stalls, cafes and bars, it is a huge hit with the punters. This, combined with more shopping and the Oxford Terrace bars and restaurants, the city was vibrant. Great to see!

Lunch with Scott and Eva at the always excellent “Little Poms”, and a catch up with their news and plans.

For dinner that evening we headed back to the Riverside Market, and upstairs to the “Castro”. A Spanish themed bar and restaurant, the food was great, and reasonably priced.

For our final full day in Christchurch, Sue and I decided a decent walk was required. Having read the “Sign of the Takahe” has recently reopened, we decided to visit for lunch.

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After a very nice lunch, we walked up to Victoria Park. From here, there are a number of walking track options around and over the Port Hills. We chose a track which took us to a car park, just short of the transmitter tower on Sugar Loaf. We then followed a track which lead us to the Sign of the Kiwi, and a well earned ice-cream.

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Our return to the Sign of the Takahe was down the Harry Ell track, a walk of about 40 minutes.

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Our return to the city was via Governors Bay, Lyttelton and over the recently reopened road over the hill to Sumner.

Our evening dining for our final night was the Pegasus Arms on Oxford Terrace. We were joined by Scott and Eva, and were impressed by the food and atmosphere.

A most enjoyable stay in Christchurch, finished with breakfast at the always excellent Cafe 1851 on Armagh Street.

After flying in to Queenstown Airport, we loaded up the Rav rental with our ski gear, and drove to Wanaka.

After a slow start to the ski season, there is now plenty of snow and a settled forecast. Looking forward to catching up with old school friend Cameron Rodgers, and his wife Maria Schulcz. We have purchased season passes to Cardrona ski field.

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It was a pleasant surprise to catch up with old Pharmacy friends Steve Walker and Julie Earwaker, plus Noel and Di Waterson.

In need of a skiing rest, Sue and I decided on our “day off” to climb up a hill adjacent to Wanaka township called Mt Iron.It provides great views over the town, lake, mountains and the Cardrona valley.

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After several very successful days skiing at Cardrona we decided upon two things. Firstly, an apres-ski drink at the iconic Cardrona Hotel, and secondly, a visit to the Snow Farm for a crack at cross country skiing.

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After a lesson with instructor Herb, we got the hang of it. Quite different to down hill skiing, and quite tiring. Definitely keen to do it again, and the boots are soft and comfortable!

After a few days of continual skiing, the legs once again needed a rest. We decided to head to Bannockburn, just beyond Cromwell, and lunch at Mt Difficulty winery. This proved to be superb, with great food, wine tasting and purchasing.

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We had 12 days in Wanaka, 8 of which we skied. The weather and snow were both excellent. We have been visiting Wanaka and skiing the area for many years now, and have never been disappointed. Wanaka township has grown and is continuing to grow, but in our opinions, is far nicer than Queenstown. There are plenty of dining options, with The Cow, Speights Ale House and Amigos some of our favourites. We have had a great time holidaying with Cameron and Maria. Great company, on and off the piste!

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With Wanaka done and dusted for another year, it was time to pack up the Rav and drive to Christchurch. It is one of the great scenic drives .. the Lindis Pass, Omarama, Tekapo, Fairlie, Geraldine, Rakaia Gorge, Darfield and Christchurch. It will be nice to meet up with Scott and Eva, and catch up with their news over food and drink.

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And eat well we did. Although Christchurch is still very much in the recovery and rebuild phase, there are plenty of central city dining options.

Saturday night we visited the Permit Room. This is an Indian restaurant on the corner of Colombo and Armagh streets. It is in one of the surviving heritage buildings, wedged between the new Convention Centre. The food and ambiance were great. The next night was casual dining at the Dux Central, and our final night was Little High food court. It was Monday night, but it was packed! Eight different dining options at very reasonable prices. The latter two were in the “Salt” district of Christchurch. This is an area between St Asaph, Tuam and Litchfield Streets. A number of the older buildings survived the earthquakes, and have been transformed into hospitality areas.

As always, we enjoyed our stay in Christchurch, and look forward to returning in November to see Lloyd Cole in concert.

After selling our business in September 2016, it was finally time for the holiday we had promised our sons and their girlfriends. The chosen destination .. Fiji.

The first three days were at the Westin Hotel on Denerau, near Nadi. Son Andrew and girlfriend Olivia were unable to join us for those days, due to exam commitments. Therefore it was left to Sue, Blair, Scott and Eva to enjoy the pleasures of Denerau.

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The Westin is a nicely set out hotel, hugging the Denerau shoreline. It is not really a swim beach, but there are a number of swimming pools to cool down.

Dining at the hotel was quite expensive, so the first night we found a restaurant at Port Denerau. This is quite a large development with a number of shops and restaurants. We did dine at the hotel the next night, as there was a local performance to watch.

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The next day, Scott and Eva did a day boat trip, and Blair and Sue tackled the Denerau Golf Course. With hire clubs strapped on to their golf cart, and plenty of golf balls, they were away. However, at the halfway stage, a replenishment of golf balls was required. Their is a stream meandering it’s way around the course, often directly in front of the ladies tee block. Say no more. Aside from the watery challenges, the course was in good condition, and sparsely populated. A cold drink in the 19th didn’t touch the sides!

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After 3 enjoyable and relaxing days on Denerau, it was time to catch the boat to Paradise Cove. The resort is in the Yasawa Island Group, and we will be joined by Andrew and Olivia. They have now both completed their studies at Otago University.

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We now have 5 days of rest and relaxation at this very impressive resort. The staff and facilities are excellent, and the food sensational. The meals are pre paid, with breakfast and lunch menus, and 5 course dinners. Dinner is accompanied by live music and continuous Kava!

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The surrounding waters are very clear and warm, so snorkeling is a popular option. Each day there are a number of organised activities, including snorkeling in a channel area popular with Manta Rays.

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Sadly, the 5 days race by, and it’s time to head home. Paradise Cove Resort has been wonderful, and we would have no hesitation in returning.Our final treat was a helicopter ride from the resort back to Nadi Airport. At 20 minutes and with incredible views, this was way better than the boat!

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A trip to the South Island is not complete without visiting Christchurch, particularly as eldest son Scott and his girlfriend Eva live there!

It has been several months since our last visit, and the central city is slowly but surely coming back to life. The absence of orange cones on the roads was pleasing.

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Dinner the first evening with Scott and Eva was at Trenches restaurant, in the RSA. This is next door to our accommodation on Armagh Street. The club was rebuilt after the earthquakes, and is modern and reasonably priced.

The next day we visited the Tannery Boutique shopping centre, in the unlikely location of Woolston. If in Christchurch, well worth a visit. The day was pleasant, so after some shopping at Ballantynes in the city, a walk through Hagley Park was ideal. Before returning to our room, we had a wander through the Art Gallery. Once again, well worth a visit.

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Dined that evening at the Market Place restaurant in the Crowne Plaza hotel. Very good, but noticed the prices are starting to creep up.

Feeling energetic, the next day the four of us walked the Rapaki Track in the Port Hills. It starts at Rapaki Road in Hillsborough, and takes you to the Summit Road. There are spectacular views over Lyttelton Harbour and Christchurch and the plains. A round trip is about an hour and a half.

We were hungry after all that exercise, and had lunch at Little Poms on Fitzgerald Avenue. A busy spot with excellent food! After some down time back at our digs, we decided to try the phenomenon that is the Lime Scooter. Great fun!

Dinner for our final night in Christchurch was Valentinos. A busy Italian restaurant in St Asaph Street, it was a fitting finale to our South Island sojourn.

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With the glorious summer weather extending into March, it was time to reacquaint ourselves with Whangamata.

We are fortunate to co-own a house in this Coromandel township, and a visit was overdue.

Less than two hours from Hamilton, at the base of the Coromandel Peninsula, Whangamata is a great place to holiday or visit. A wonderful beach, harbour, golf courses, shops, cafes and restaurants, there is something for everyone.

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A classic “ road trip”, beginning at Ohope Beach. Wonderful long beach,with a challenging golf course at the eastern end. It is a classic links course, with lots of thick rough, undulations and dog legs. Fortunately not too windy, but a very good test of golf!

We then drove through Opotiki, and followed the coastal road to our destination, Hicks Bay. We stopped for lunch at the picturesque Waihau Bay.

It was then back on the road and onwards to our accommodation at the Hicks Bay motel. The motel unit was “rustic”, but adequate. The motel had a restaurant attached, which was fortunate as there were not many dining options in the area.

A visit out to the East Cape lighthouse was compulsory, via Te Aroroa and a gravel road. The views were worth it.

Down to Tokomaru Bay, and golf at a deserted nearby Te Puia Springs golf course.For a country course, it was in excellent condition and very scenic.An overnight stay in the picturesque and tranquil Anaura Bay. Our accommodation here was superb. Great views over the bay, and an extensive breakfast the next morning.

Down to Tolaga Bay and the old wharf and Cooks Cove walk. Both well worth it. Interesting to think this was where Cook and party first set foot on New Zealand.

Two nights in Gisborne, staying near the river and town central, at the Senator Motor Inn. We played at the Poverty Bay golf club in Gisborne. This is a highly rated course, and it didn’t disappoint. After golf, it was lunchtime, so we headed to the Matawhero winery. A platter and local wine hit the spot. The afternoon was spent at the centrally located Waikanae Beach.

It appeared to be busy in Gisborne whilst we were there. A couple of restaurant attempts were unsuccessful as they were full. However, the first night we dined at the “Works” and the second at “Ussco”. Both very good and happy to recommend.

Onto Napier via Wairoa for lunch. Staying with old friend and pharmacy colleague Mayor Peter Robertson, his partner Deb and son Hammond. Wonderful hosts in sunny Hawkes Bay. Pete took us to his golf course, Maraenui for 9 holes. Good fun.

Next stop Martinborough, via Masterton and lunch with my Uncle And Aunt, Rick and Marion. Then on to our destination Martinborough a quaint little town, full of cafes, restaurants, women’s boutiques and wine shops. Formerly a small rural village, the grape has transformed it!

Golf was at the Martinborough golf club. An excellent course, and fairly deserted. Also top of the list when in Martinborough is wine tasting. With twenty something wineries, this is very easy! Purchases were made!

Cousin Wendy lives in nearby Greytown, so drove over to visit her and her classic old wooden bungalow. Over coffee and cheese scones, she proudly showed us her home, which she has renovated to a very high standard. With no previous experience, she has done an amazing job!

That afternoon, we headed out to Cape Palliser. Very scenic, with the lighthouse and a fur seal colony to explore. Then it was back to the Putangirua Pinnacles scenic reserve. We chose the walk which followed the dry stream bed. A gradual climb to begin, and then steeper at the end. A couple of hours return walk. Well worth it. It was then on to the Lake Ferry Hotel, for a well deserved cold beer!

There are plenty of dining options in Martinborough. We dined at the bistro in the Peppers Martinborough Hotel one evening. Excellent!

Big fans of Martinborough and the Wairarapa. We will be back!

Home via Masterton and another rellie catch-up. Overnight stay at the Hilton, Taupo. We were upgraded to a one bedroom apartment. Dined that evening in the Hilton restaurant. A great finish to a most enjoyable road trip!

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Three day stopover in Hong Kong, before returning home.

Stayed at the Cordis Hotel, Mongkok, Kowloon. This is a densely populated and extremely busy area! Excellent hotel with great views from the 34th floor!

Did a half day Island organised tour. Saw all the sights, including the Peak. The views were fantastic. We were last in Hong Kong about ten years ago. Went up to the Peak at night. Couldn’t see a thing due to thick fog! Our tour guide was friendly and chatty, although a bit repetitive.He was very informed on the price of everything! We were taken to a jewellery warehouse, but not many purchases were made.

The next day we walked from our hotel to the Kowloon Promenade, and caught the famous Star Ferry across the harbour to the Island. The island appears to be more “touristy”, with numerous hotels and shopping malls.

Back on the ferry and a further explore along the Promenade. We then began the trek back to the hotel, which was quite a battle as the footpaths were packed.

It was interesting to see a little bit of green, to enable cricket and bowls to be played in the heart of Kowloon.

Back at the hotel, we took in a walking tour of the local Mongkok area, lead by a hotel employee. Very informative.

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Hong Kong is a very busy, bustling place, with poor air quality. However the people are friendly, and it’s a good place for a 2 or 3 day stopover.

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Excellent sunny day, although cold (7 degrees C).

A great walk with coastal views, and a track that leads down to the beach. Stony beach, but nice to walk along.

The return trip takes you up through fields and livestock. Nice walk.

To get to Les Arcs, we flew to Geneva. We had an overnight stay, before a train and taxi journey to our final destination.

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From Arc 1950, Les Arcs, French Alps

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Happy New Year from Les Arcs, French Alps. A great way to see in 2019.

Grateful to be invited for 3 days of skiing with Shaun and Michelle, and also their friends Bob and Anna. The Les Arcs ski area is extensive, and we barely scratched the surface!

Great weather, great snow, great company!