The Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand.

The Classic Tramp

One key objective of our trip to New Zealand and our visit to the North Island was the ‘classic’ walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. A 12 mile or thereabouts tramp that can be done in a day.

The Tongariro mountain range

The dilemma was the ‘what ifs’. What if the weather was bad, or something happened and we didn’t make the finish in time for a shuttlebus, etc, etc. So, I didn’t book one and decided to leave it to fate when I arrived.

A fondness for Hong Kong.

My first visit to Hong Kong

I first visited Hong Kong in 2004 for a short 3 day stop over on the way to Vietnam. I had very fond memories of the place. More lively and less sanitised than Singapore I felt. So when it came to deciding on a stopover on my first trip to New Zealand I decided to return.

I arrived late afternoon into the huge airport, just as the sun was setting, and took the Airport Express rail line into Hong Kong Central. A clean and efficient line and we were into the city in about 30mins.

Bovey Tracey councillors disappoint

Bovey Tracey Players have used a performing space in the Bovey Tracey Town Hall for many years. However, the performing space is under threat as the Town Council has put the hall up for sale without any alternative provision to continue with the ability to put on performances. A sad state of affairs.