• Akaroa: I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

    Akaroa: I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

    24 December 2023 It has been a hot and sunny day here in Akaroa. The town was bustling with shoppers. The butcher and the baker were running out of stock. The cranky owner of the Fish and Chip Shop begrudgingly told me they would be closing at 3pm and if I showed up at 3:30 Read more

  • Marahua to Akaroa: two days running on empty

    Marahua to Akaroa: two days running on empty

    22 and 23 December 2023 The words of this Jackson Brown tune (the theme of my 1987 tour of Europe with childhood friend Sue) came to me often as we took two days to make our way to our Christmas destination, Akaroa. An hours drive out of Marahua and the scenery changed again. Suddenly it Read more