Dorothy – 23/04/04 A bus trip following the course of the Heathcote River with a well-informed and enthusiastic guide greatly changed my view of this river. The trip gave us an insight into the history of the area, its role as a food source and a route for Maori crossing Canterbury, navigation by early colonists,…
Dorothy – 12/3/2004 As you travel from Christchurch to Picton you will be rewarded if you allow ample time to enjoy what Kaikoura has to offer – scenery, walks, seals, trips to the whales and adventure sports, but when you have to leave this beautiful little town you will be setting out on a scenic…
Dorothy – 30/01/04 We have all heard of fishermen who are generous about sharing their catch, but Ron Giles shares more than this. He shares his knowledge! ! He is the author of Hooked on Trout 2000 – a guide to quality fishing in locations that offer solitude, Catch That Trout! Fishing the South Island…
Dorothy – 23/12/03 In the early years of the settlement of Christchurch the land was swampy and it was an unhealthy place to live. The Christchurch Drainage Board (CDB) was set up to manage the drainage of the city. Serious floods made life in the winter hazardous for those living in the low lying parts…
Dorothy – 27/11/03 Nelson offers so much of interest that visitors have a fascinating variety of plaes to visit. In the city itself the shopping area decorated with hanging baskets of flowers, Botanical Hill, known as the Centre of New Zealand, the Nelson Cathedral, the Queens Gardens, the Suter Gallery, and Britannia Heights with the…
Dorothy – 18/11/03 Travelling along Highway 1 between Christchurch and Picton add short walks to enhance the enjoyment and counteract driver fatigue. The Omihi Scenic Reserve Walk, the stopping point for viewing the seals at Ohau Point and the Ohau Stream walk, as well as the town of Kaikoura, provide welcome breaks. Highway 1 carries…
Dorothy – 13/11/03 To many people Nelson is just a beautiful place where their families have spent holidays for several generations, but exploring Nelson’s past makes a visit more interesting. Abel Tasman, Dumont D’Urville, the New Zealand Company, Colonel Edward Gibbon Wakefield, Captain Arthur Wakefield, Will Watch, Whitby, Arrow, the Wairau Incident, the Fifeshire Rock,…
Dorothy – 20/10/03 Puke Ariki is Taranaki’s new heritage and information centre that sets a new standard on the world stage. It is the world’s first purpose-built, fully-integrated museum, library and visitor information centre. This complex in New Plymouth won Creative New Zealand’s prestigious Creative Places Award for 2003. It was also the winner of…
Part 1 Farm training, farm purchase, and marriage Dorothy – 13/10/03 To those who know little about the problems faced by the farmers who developed the land, the Mid-Canterbury plains look like an easy place to farm. In reality Ron and Judith Armstrong were faced with serious problems as they toiled to upgrade a neglected…
Part 2 Problems developing a neglected property – too little money and too much work Dorothy – 13/10/03 Signs of neglect When Ron took over the farm it was running 500 ewes and they were starving from lack of feed as the place was so run down. The problems facing Ron and Judith included dilapidated…
