One of our big differences as a couple has always been our attitudes to exercise. Tanya says: As someone blessed with relatively good health and fitness most of my life, I have been startled to realise that I can no longer take my physical skills for granted! I already have two bionic hips and one […]
4. Ki Tau, Ki Tai
March 18, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Ki Tau Ki Tai – from ridge to sea – Tanya’s story of a guided cycling tour based around water landmarks in Tāmaki Makaurau 27 February 2021 ———————————————————————— Ki Tau Ki Tai – from Ridge to sea – a guided cycling tour through central Tāmaki Makaurau – organised by Auckland Libraries […]
Tea for Two…
February 19, 2021 by 1 Comment
On Monday 8 February, Tanya and I celebrated 36 years since we first had dinner together in 1985. On that first evening we discovered that we shared many values in common, but also recognised we had very different personalities and lifestyles. To some people’s surprise – and our own at times – we have managed […]
Adventures in Te Waipounamu
January 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Tanya has just returned from a stunning adventure in Te Waipounamu …here’s her story and pictures… It began with an unexpected invite from our younger generation of Cumbos – Barney, Jo and 8-year-old Ellie – to my older brother, Garth, and me, to join them on a cycling adventure (A2O: Alps 2 Ocean) in the […]
An hour from our front door…Rangitoto Island
January 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Back to the simplicity of bach life in summer… On New Year’s Day we hopped on a bus downtown, then a ferry across the Waitemata Harbour to Rangitoto Island for a stay in Bach 52, five minutes walk from the wharf. Bach 52 is another small 1920s bach which has been lovingly restored to near-original […]
Happy Solstice, we hope…
December 19, 2020 by Leave a Comment
We wish you a Happy Solstice, with a colour-full covid-free summer if you are in Aotearoa or the Pacific… …and if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, or in a Covid-infected area, and dealing with lockdowns and deaths, please take care, and know that we are sending our love to you, with our hopes […]
Stuff, and Ihumatao…
December 19, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Congratulations to NZ Stuff Media for their courage in taking responsibility for their long history of institutional racism, and making a commitment to change. This is the first time a major media group has acknowledged its bias, with examples, and taken responsibility for the change that is needed – throughout almost all media and other […]
Elections 2020 in Aotearoa
October 19, 2020 by 1 Comment
Sunday 18 October – the day after our elections How lucky we are to live in a country where a warm, eloquent and truthful woman Prime Minister has been able to hold our nation together during the difficult times of the last three years. We hoped that Jacinda Ardern and the Labour-led […]
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