I grew up in Oxford, just up the road from Rangiora, and like a true Cantabrian have worked my way back to the region over the last few years.
A few too many years than I care to remember were spent as a student at Otago University (NZ) and in Perth (Australia) studying Maritime Archaeology. This was followed by two 12-month winter-over stays at Scott Base Antarctica. I think I managed to keep my sanity in the face of 6 weeks of continual darkness, but I can’t be totally certain about that. I met my future-husband Bruce during our first year there, and we returned for a second year after cycling through Europe and trekking in Nepal. We must’ve been mad… but this coldest, windiest and driest continent is addictive.
Upon our return to civilisation we lived in the midst of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, in Aoraki/Mt Cook village, with NZ’s tallest mountain forming the backdrop to our daily life. Eventually Bruce’s work involved a transfer to Rangiora and we have been here ever since.
That would be family and home! When not chauffeuring children and chasing wayward animals (chickens, horses, sheep, dog and kids), I enjoy time-out in the vege garden, handcrafts, reading ……
Shaky Isles (Britomart), Auckland, would have to rate right up there for super nice coffee and quirky souvenir teaspoons. I particularly liked the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ spoon as it brought back childhood memories of my favourite book. For those of you under a certain age, this book would equate in popularity to the ‘Harry Potter’ series.
Sadly, as Auckland is a little far to travel for a latte now-and-then, I would have to vote for a coffee made at home from freshly ground beans.
Trekking in Nepal
This would have to be the trek from Jiri to Kala Patthar in Nepal, in 1995! A wonderful country, wonderful people, fantastic scenery, with the challenges of altitude and leeches. The leeches won. Note to self: don’t wear sports sandals when hiking through water courses on trails, and always look up before brushing under overhanging branches. I hope to return one day for more adventures.
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