Shane Batchelor

With time rapidly approaching for Jude’s operation we have been busy making sure we have everything we need for her rehab. But in the interim there are still bits and pieces to help out with at the cottage. Looking after the hens is enjoyable as they are busy laying eggs and are hard cases when they see you, gathering around your feet they are a trip hazard, however the eggs are awesome fresh daily. I do however every now and then one of them chookies passes a super big egg and I wonder how the hell they can pass an egg 4 times the sizeRead More →

Slept well all night and woke this morning to another fantastic day at Monkey Island, Orepuki, Southland. The weather is sunny, warm and the waves gently rolling ashore on the beach just makes you feel good. Chilled out in the morning while waiting for the tide to turn so we can do a walk along the beach to Gemstone Beach 3 kilometres along the beach. As we noticed last year, Gemstone Beach is not the beach of old where there were pebbles everywhere to search and hopefully fine that special gemstone, today it is mainly sand. For those that don’t mind a walk, heading eastRead More →

We have been back in Southland for three weeks now after a trip around the South Island hiking and biking. As per previous posts we managed to cope with the flooding in the Tasman and Golden Bay area avoiding the most serious dumps of rain. Now back in the south with reasonably good weather enjoying a good tail end of winter… so far! Before Judes op next week we have enjoyed a bit of gardening and maintenance around the cottage, my son in-laws 40th and a bit of exercising. Over the past weekend we enjoyed riding the Sandy Point Mountain Bike Trails and consider themRead More →

This morning we woke to a light drizzle which putting our faith in our windy app, we were hoping would pass over during the night… but ah nah. Oh well it was going to be a damp start to today’s ride from Hokitika to Mahinapua (Tree Top Walk). While Jude plods along with her morning cuppa tea ritual, I get busy getting the bikes off the rack and getting all the gear out… hoping Jude would feel guilty and get a move on, but that’s was just wishful thinking lol. Eventually we got under way and the bonus of Jude casual morning start was theRead More →

Cover photo- Judes looks out over the Tasman Sea on warm early evening. Not a bad morning… a cup of tea to start the day, dishes done, bed made, bikes setup and it’s off 15km to Westport and while we’re there we must try the famous Pies before the return ride. The start of the road from the Star Tavern is along a private road that runs along side the main road before entering a small windy bush track about 400m in length before crossing the main road and onto a boringly long stretch of track. This track then turns left and heads to theRead More →