Kia Ora!

I enjoyed the interview with Bryan Crump on Radio New Zealand National. Please press  HERE  to listen.

I finish the north island on Fri 1st Feb and take the ferry to the south island on Saturday.

Thursday 31th Jan. 40km, Total distance to date: 25,966km for 614km. Thanks to Dubliner Carl and Rebecca his Kiwi partner for hosting me Thurs and Fri. I ran about 5km with Carl to todays finish, nice day lots of burger joint and ice lolly stops

Wed. 30th Jan.  Opiki to Otaki 51km. Many thanks to Rhys and Kathy for hosting me. I had a job finding the backpackers hostel in Otaki and was in the right place at the right time (a fish n chipper) when Rhys walked in and said ” You must be Tony! My workmate Carl (above ) was talking about you, Come back to my place

Alpaca in New Zealand?

A couple more decent running days takes me close to Lake Taupo. About 27km before the lake, the biggest in all of New Zealand.

Kate Townslee drives out to meet me on the road. I finish my day at the Equestrian Cafe. Kate commutes me to Taupo where I stayed for two nights with her and her partner Steve and children Hannah and Mathew.

Thanks Kate!

They are wonderful people. Kate has been helping me here as a co-ordinator on Facebook and has been very enthusiastic about my run around the world. She is originally from York in England. She came to New Zealand over 11 years ago on a holiday to visit her brother who was working here on a 12 month work visa. She fell in love with the Kiwi lifestyle here telling me that all her keep fit sessions back in England were dances in night clubs! When she arrived in Taupo she could not swim but within a year she was competing in Iron Man events. She works as a cookery teacher in a local school. Kate also designed her own trendy sportswear range called Kori Kita, see HERE

I asked Steve why New Zealand are such a rugby force for such a small population 4.5 millions similar to Ireland.

” Because we steal all the huge Fijians, and the tough players from Tonga and West Samoa. ” Was his reply.

I read somewhere that a tough perseverance is built into their genes as when the original Maouri’s settled here that the land was not suitable for growing crops and vegetables, it was just soft clay. To make it work they had to work the land extremely hard. Hard work, relentlessness to beat the odds is ingrained deeply in their genetic makeup.

Next morning Kate drives me back at the Equestrian Cafe and I run to Taupo and meet Kate there for an ice cream or four that day, very hot!

Lake Taupo

We run around part of the east side of the lake which looks like a map of Africa to me. It’s a lovely day, even if hot, we run along the trails right up at the lake for its nice to get off the road for a change.

We stop for yet another cola and ice lolly. I got a shock when the proprietor wouldn’t fill up my water bottle as someone attempted to sue him before saying they got very ill on his water, as he said he would rather not go down that road again. I did not count it as a dreaded water refusal, instead we ended up having a laugh, taking photos and him saying he would send a comment to this blog. Still I left wondering what would happen to the journey runners, walkers and cyclists of this world if this became such a scam that the people of the world took this view. We filled up at a nearby house. We finished running about 3km north of Hatebe 47 km for me that day.

Having another laugh with Kate

Then I tough another hot day out, forward relentless motion gives me a 55km reward for my efforts. that afternoon I received a text from Gill from Co. Mayo in Ireland. She tells me she has a half day and asks how she can help me as she is willing to come out to the road and crew for me for a while. fair play to her when she does come out she is waving an Irish tri-colour and crews for an hour. Before she finishes Gill hands me the flag.

We have a great laugh and she copes very easy how to crew. At the end of the day I ask her to find a junction or as I have been corrected many times here ‘ an intersection ‘ or unusual sign, like Mayo for the All-Ireland!! so as I can photograph it for my end of day marker.

Gill crews for me.

Amazingly New Zealand has no kilometre markers so far in the north island. I have questioned people and they just ask me what are kilometre markers! I therefore calculate my daily distances by Google Maps, Map My Run.com or on a commuting vehicles trip counter. Kudos to Gill she has no hesitation in commuting me 150km round trip and says she will do so tomorrow, another 150km round trip as well when returning me to today’s finish, plus another 100km plus when I eventually move out of her range. All this because she lives off the main road in a village called Ohakune.

We stop for Fish and chips for me at least and chips for Gill as she is a vegetarian.

Some scenes from Lord Of The Rings were filmed around the volcanoes in this area

Like Kate, Gill instantly fell in love with New Zealand, she has been here many years now working as a researcher in a paper mill. She explained the process and problems with pulp but my lame joke of ‘ sounds like a lot of paperwork? ‘ went over her head, or perhaps she ignored it as she said ” No I don’t work in the office, I work in a laboratory! ”

Back in Gills house I met Gemma an old house mate who is staying for the weekend. Gill can’t believe all this activity.. ” This is amazing, all this activity, there is usually nothing for me to do here only play my tin whistle she tells me.

Gemma is very nice but has a slight gullible streak. She told us that she is going to work as a scientist on some remote island which is 1,000km away from anywhere. There will be about six scientists and researchers and she says it is her dream job. She will be on the island for 12 months. I ask her about how she is going to manage with all the cannibals there!

Gemma breaths a sigh of relief when I tell her I was only joking about the cannibals!

” What, she says in disbelief!

” Tony are you serious! ”

” Yes I read it on Wikipedia! ” I replied.

” But don’t worry Gemma the cannibals there are vegetarians just like Gill, “ man eater!

Ah Yes! you can’t beat a good wind up!

Then Gill tells me there are a lot of earthquake tremors in this region. She shocks me by saying.

” Tony wouldn’t it be great if there was an earthquake tonight! Wouldnt it be marvelous, imagine you would have something to write on your blog! ”

I tell Gill there is no shortage of blog material and to keep watching!

In Gills bedroom the duvet is satin, black satin, almost satanic.  She has lovely soft white sheets which roll back effortlessly. She turned off the light with a big smile. She is a woman so used to getting her own way, not to be messed with.

Back in the kitchen she says to me.

” Tony do you want to sleep in my bed tonight? But you need a shower”

A big gulp and I splutter out ” Whaaaatttt! ”  I say in astonishment.

” You can sleep in my bed because you are so tired. I will sleep out here in my sleeping bag on the sofa. ”

Ah Tony, a gentleman to the end!

Next day the running gentleman runs the rest of the so called desert road, 60km of nothingness through Tongariro National Park with stunning views of the active Tongariro and Ruapehu volcanoes. Then I run through Waiouru I am about to call Gill to come out and pick me up. A cop car pulls over on the shoulder or verge as they call it here. A television cameraman gets out. The cop starts off by telling me that ‘ they lost a driver ‘ because a motorist didn’t expect to see a runner on the road! Not sure if this means a cop or one of the community was killed I backed off a bit but I really wanted to ask why he is making problems for legal runners running in the verge and not giving the grief to the deserving motorists for their poor and probably reckless driving. He told me I couldn’t run on the road after dark that night, I didn’t argue as I was going back to Gills that night anyway.

All this time the cameraman continued to film. It’s a bit like ‘ Cops ‘ Kiwi Kops!

Kiwi Kops

Then he starts asking me about the run and South America, and then the food there. These are not normal police questions I was thinking.

” Peruvian, Bolivian and  Ecuadorian food is the most disgusting food in the world, I lost 6 kilos there. ”  I told the cameraman. He turned off the camera. I asked him where he was from.

” Ecuador, he says.

” You don’t like our food! ”

Oh! Yes once again I put my foot in it, what’s new!

Gill and Gemma pick me up, a quick shower and we rush off to a bar-b-q

Annie and Pete are the hosts, they are very nice. It’s a huge barbie and I have three steaks and about four sausages. Dublin woman Laura with Ray her New Zealand husband who looks like a big tough All Blacker, their  two daughters were also there. Laura is a friend of Gill.

Annie plays the spoons

Gill told me that Laura who is head of Human Resources in the paper mill was lonely for Irish company in the small village of Ohakune. So when Gill sent in her job application a delighted Laura read her job application, then phoned her up on her mobile.

” And ……And…..And you are from Ireland too And around my age! How great! Yippe! You got the job! ” said Laura.

Thats Laura dressed as a zebra!

Another man called Paul has a strong Kiwi accent, I was having problems understanding him. He tells me he is a runner but he is now injured.

I ask him what happened, so he says…

“ I got up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet and fell over my dick! ”

” What!?”

” I got up to go to the toilet and as it was such a nice night I went out to my deck and fell over on it. ” He explained.

Puzzled by my laughter I explained what I thought he had said.

” Well Tony I wouldn’t dream of boasting about my long deck! ”

Certainly makes me feel very small!

REMINDER!

To listen to my Radio New Zealand National interview today, Tuesday on the Nights program, at 06.10am gmt 19.10 local press HERE  for info and player.

I finish the north island on Fri 1st Feb and take the ferry to the south island on Saturday.

Thursday 31th Jan. 40km, Total distance to date: 25,966km for 614km.

Wed. 30th Jan.  Opiki to Otaki 51km

Tuesday 29th Jan. 38km From Feilding to Opiki.

Total km run to date: 25,875km for 612 road days.

A wonderful run! Felt great as I set out from Perry’s house very early. Perry drove on ahead a few km at a time and then after parking his car. He then kept running back to me to run on towards the car and so on till I finished at 10am as I need to do a lot of work today. I was delighted by my mornings run, thanks Perry

The only downside was that piece of crap, namely my Spot ‘ tracker ‘ failed, yet again to update properly. I have met many people using this  ’ Mom and Spop! ‘ device, of which many have the same problem. I don’t think it’s up to a serious expedition, more like a boy scouts hike, but I’m stuck with it and their poor customer service I have experienced in the past from them. I would not recommend it to anyone and would hate to be relying on it’s emergency response button!

Monday 28th Jan.

A very happy birthday to my niece Serena

A very tough, hot, hilly 60km however the views were wonderful. My new great friend Perry pushed me all the way to his doorstep in Feilding.  I have about 165km of the north island left to run, so thinking around Fri/Sat for the ferry to the south island. Don’t you think the north island set a high standard for the south island My route on the south island will 925km along the east coast from Picton to Bluff via Christchurch. Many thanks to Perry and Kathy for putting me up these last two nights and Tuesday also. I got an invitation from Karl from Inchicore in Dublin. He lives in Wellington these days, so perhaps a Thursday night commute of an estimated 20/25km will be the way to go. Am hoping he will be able to run back to Wellington and the ferry with me on Friday

924km (in addition of the 165km on the north island) to be run on the south island as the flight has been booked from Christchurch to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on Feb 27th.

I am planning a very very early start on Tuesday to run a decent but shortish distance before we return to Perry’s house early am for an office day of sorts. I will then take the Radio New Zealand interview there.

Total distance run:  25,837km for 611 road days.

I ran 46km today, Sunday. The last 20km with Kiwi ultra running legend Perry Newburn who recently circumnavigated New Zealand, all 5,000km of it in an astonishing 10 weeks of running along the perimeter of both islands! Perry put some much needed zip into my legs! see his website www.perrysruns.co.nz I had a wonderful day. Tomorrow, Monday we return to today’s finish and run the 60km to his home in Feilding.  Total: 25,777km for 610 road days.

Anyone want to trade some yarns and long tales, all 25,837km long for a bed for the night on your route pls text 021 08437842  :)

I ran out of Hamilton with Roger my host in that city. We ran for an hour down some nice country roads parallel to route 1. Always great when you have local help running out of a large town or city. After an hour he headed back and I had my pack for the first time in a few days. In had lightened the load by asking Roger to mail some stuff on ahead to my Christchurch contact where my 32nd pair of running shoes are waiting for me almost 1,000km away on the south island. Whenever I start running with a backpack I always have too much. Without fail I pack it like I am Sylvester stallion, but I am only as strong as Tony the pony! Still even with that lightened load I struggled for two days, I will have to send on more stuff luxuries like cooking equipment and clothes when I get to Kates place in Taupo in a couple of days.

That first night I didn’t have an invitation for a place to stay so I ended up sleeping in an illegal camping place in a forest. Luckily it was a beautiful night and I hardly even needed my summer sleeping bag.

Dinner was a burger I picked up in the picturesque town of Cambridge that afternoon. In fact I had two places as a tough marathon runner called Kerry Suter had emailed me that day but as I don’t have internet on the run I didn’t know. At 10.15 when I was dozing off under the stars  Paul Charteris – Race Director of Tarawera Ultra texted me to say he would pick me up on the road and next morning deliver me back today’s finish  from his home in Rotorua some 50km away. I looked at the map, felt very comfortable lying there in the pines just 400 metres from the road. I suggested the following night which was fine with Paul. I was near Lake Karapira site of New Zealands ‘ center of excelence ‘ for their cycling and water sports athletes. The area is bursting with pride after a very sucessful medal haul in the recent London Olympic games.

So when Paul did pick me up on the road I photographed my finishing spot. He suggested we stop at a famous thermal hot springs but when I discovered it was 1km eachway on a trailhead I declined as it was too far! I was feeling bad about refusing the offer and when he suggested a dip in a lake I agreed. I stuck my little toe in the freezing cold water and cried out in pain, wimp that I am! As you can imagine I was delighted when Paul soon came running out for he was freezing too, not just me! There were two young tough Maori lads, built like oxen splashing about. One of them got out of the water came over to me sitting on a rock. He looked me in the eye.

I asked him if it was cold in the water, he told me no that it was alright. I asked him that if he was so tough does he think he could run around the world. Probably was his reply.

The Maori are the indigenous  Polynesian people of New Zealand. The Maori originated with settlers from eastern Polynesia, who arrived in New Zealand in several waves of canoe voyages at some time between 1250 and 1300 CE.Over several centuries in isolation, the Polynesian settlers developed a unique culture that became known as the “Maori”, with their own language, a rich mythology, distinctive crafts and performing arts. Early Māori formed tribal groups, based on eastern Polynesian social customs and organisation. Horticulture flourished using plants they introduced, and later a prominent warrior culture emerged.

The arrival of Europeans to New Zealand starting from the 17th century brought enormous change to the Māori way of life. Māori people gradually adopted many aspects of Western society and culture. Initial relations between Māori and Europeans were largely amicable, and with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 the two cultures coexisted as part of a new British colony. Rising tensions over disputed land sales led to conflict in the 1860s. Social upheaval, decades of conflict and epidemics of introduced disease took a devastating toll on the Māori population, which went into a dramatic decline. But by the start of the 20th century the Māori population had begun to recover, and efforts were made to increase their standing in wider New Zealand society. Traditional Māori culture has enjoyed a revival, and a protest movement emerged in the 1960s advocating Māori issues.

In the 2006 census, there were an estimated 620,000 Māori in New Zealand, making up roughly 15% of the national population. They are the second-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, after European New Zealanders. In addition there are over 120,000 Māori living in Australia. The Maori language (known as Te Reo Maori) is spoken to some extent by about a quarter of all Maori, and 4% of the total population, although many New Zealanders regularly use Maori words and expressions, such as “kia ora“, in normal speech. Maori are active in all spheres of New Zealand culture and society, with independent representation in areas such as media, politics and sport.

Disproportionate numbers of Maori face significant economic and social obstacles, with lower life expectancies and incomes compared with other New Zealand ethnic groups, in addition to higher levels of crime, health problems and educational under-achievement. Socioeconomic initiatives have been implemented aimed at closing the gap between Maori and other New Zealanders. Political redress for historical grievances is also ongoing.

Paul told me he actually ran one of my favourite races during my competitive career, a 72 hour race called Across The Years. He ran it in 2007/8 the year I won it and crewed another year for a friend, a long way to go to crew for a race. The race begins in the twilight of the year and ends on New Years day, hence the name. A forest park worker and laughed when I told him I illegally camped in one of his forests last night!

I got a radio interview request from Radio New Zealand as detailed below. 6.10 am Tuesday Irish time. All I need to do is get to a land line.  Anyone interested can log on to their website which should also have a playback possibility.

Tena koe Tony

This is an interview request from New Zealand’s independent public broadcasting station, Radio New Zealand National.

My name is Robyn and I produce the weekday evening show – a nightly voyage of attitude, longitude and latitude. Hullo!

Earl Irving from the Auckland Joggers Club alerted us to your current adventure which has now brought you to New Zealand – and what is touted to be the most daring expedition of the millennium!

Accordingly, I would like to invite you to speak with Nights host, Bryan Crump, about the joys and challenges of running around the world.

Could we speak with you next Tuesday 29 January 2013 at about 7:10pm. The interview would be for live-to-air for 15 to 18 minutes.

If these details suit, we require either a phone number (a landline preferably) or a Skype Name that we can call you on, as well as a back-up phone number for just in case.

Additionally, any further anecdotes from your adventure, as well as a couple of photos of your fine self on this journey for the Nights webpage/facebook would be most appreciated if possible.

By the way, the interview audio will be made available worldwide at broadcast date, to listen to, download and/or share from the Nights Audio Library…radionz.co.nz/nights

I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Warm regards,

Robyn

Thank you for this opportunity, I would be delighted to share some of my memories with your audience

Hi All.

Sat 26th. 45km today, hot and humid.  Total: 25,731km for 609 road days. Commuted back to Gill’s place.

Friday 25th Lovely tough 55km along Lake Taupo and onto the so called ” Desert Road ” which has absolutely nothing for 60km. Gill from Mayo and a friend of Kate came out and crewed for me the last hour. I am staying in her house tonight. Saturday morning I return to run the rest of the desert road through Tongariro National Park with stunning views of the active Tongariro  and Ruapehu volcanoes and then return to Gill’s house. After one night I have already drank Gill out of all her Lyons tea bags! Thanks Gill

Thursday 24th.  Nice 46km run, ran mostly with Kate Townsley. Thanks Kate and Steve for looking after me for two nights. Total 25,631km for 607 road days.

I ran a very enjoyable but hilly 50km today, Wednesday. Thanks to Paul for hosting me on Tuesday, Kate Townslee tonight. Monday I slept in a forest and had an invite from Kerry but didn’t know as I had no internet, but also fair play to Paul who texted me very late to say he would pick me up on my route, I declined for Tuesday night instead as I was well wrapped up in my sleeping bag. Thanks everyone you are making New Zealand so special Details to follow soon.

.

The amazing Kiwi hospitality continues to blow me away!
After a hefty breakfast in Craig and Carlenes place on Saturday I hit the road with a pocketful of lamb sandwiches which Carlene kindly sent me on my way with
It was a tough hot 54km slogger of a day and was relieved I was running minus my pack. Near my finish in Huntly my host Chuck was waiting for me. Chuck lives in Ngaruawahia about 14km commute away.

Chuck

The Maori place names are wrecking my head and are just as difficult as the Mexican Indian place names. I usually cant remember where I am, where I have come from or where I am going, everywhere is called ‘ that place’ !

In Chucks place I watched the amazing Lance Armstrong interview, enough said, then we talked real sport.
Just before leaving Chucks place I send an email to my friend Tom from Australia, Tom is also running around the world and finishing his timeout as tomorrow he flies to Lisbon for the European leg of his world run see HERE

Good luck with Europe my friend! Tom had mentioned he has friends in the Hamilton running club, so he sent an email to them along with my mobile number.  A couple of hours later I have an invite from Roger to spend the night at his place. Another man Steve a friend of Craig whose house I stayed at the first night on the road also invites me, but I had already committed to Roger and his Quebecan partner Sylvia.
So on I ran, it was hot and humid today, but none of the crazy Fiji heat. A couple of kilometres before my finish in Hamilton Roger ran out to meet me for the rest of the run to his lovely house. Though short it was very nice running with him making him the first runner to run with me in almost a year, since north Colombia!
Roger and Sylvia met while both were on holiday in Vancouver, they were both in a bike hire store at the same time and rode out together. They then had a long distance romance before deciding Quebec to New Zealand is just a bit too far. Sylvia moved here three years ago and they have been happy ever since. Sylvia works as an translator, Roger having his own engineering business. Five minutes after arriving here Chuck arrives with my pack as he had asked me to text him Rogers address. Chuck and Sylvia had a long conversation about Canada as he moved here from Toronto 45 years ago it was easy to move here in those days as there was a shortage of labour. Today Auckland is the largest multi-cultural society in the southern hemisphere.

Sylvia and Roger

We had a delicious bar-b-q dinner in the company of local runners. I can’t get over how New Zealand is such an incredible outdoors country. Just about everyone I meet is into climbing, walking, running, cycling, swimming, on and on it goes, all ages, young and elderly.

Thank you to everyone that has helped me so much, New Zealand is amazing
Today was a short 32km day.
My route for the next three days to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake is along route 1. Tirau,Tokoroa,Taupo Anyone got any contacts, I can do a commute! 02108437842.

Getting ready for a run with the Auckland Joggers. That's Alan beside me.

I had two lovely runs with the Auckland Jogging club in Auckland this week.

Outside the clubhouse with Alan

Can you believe they serve tea and biscuits to the runners after training! While drinking mine I got  talking to a Scottish woman who has been over here 43 years and still has a very thick Glaswegian accent,

My tea and biscuits please!

” Well Tony how could I lose my accent, I wasn’t going to give that away as you know us Scots give nothing away! ”

On Tuesday a dinner is also served in the club canteen after training! Their clubhouse is shared with famous All Black feeder rugby club called Carlton Grammar.

Now that's what I call a display

Over this meal a couple of the members of the running club sat down with me and my host Alan Knox to discuss my route through the North Island.

One of the lads Chuck is very enthusiastic, so much so that he gave me an invite to stay in his place on Saturday night near Hampton. Chuck also called his friend Craig who lives just past Drury and organized for me to stay the night with Craig and his wife Carlene and family.

So I began the day running out of a harbour on the Pacific touching the water as is my custom. My Auckland hosts Alan and Sue dropped me to that start location and off I went.

Alan and Sue for such a good time and wonderful help.

Thanks for such a wonderful time and vital logistic help. I am now running with my pack again and it took some getting used to again.  Craig and his young son Luke drove by to check on me, so I unloaded my pack with them for the last 20km! Wonderful people, the chain reaction as in North America is continuing here in Kiwi land

The run down New Zealand begins!

Things are a bit easier now that I have a NZ mobile number and Chuck as enthusiastic as ever even asked me to text him a house number I was running past so as he could check on his computer tell me how far to Craig’s place! 14km came the reply! Yes things can be much simpler in the west, well I guess everywhere is the west in comparison to somewhere else.

I was moving fairly well towards the end of today’s 38km and missed my left turn for Craig’s house, No worries Craig who had been following my progress ‘ watching your beacon ‘ as he called it dispatched his son Luke and daughter Lorraine to chase after me on their bicycles and re-direct me.

Craig right, Charlene left and family

The roads are a bit complicated in places and I need to be careful not to end up on a freeway. Craig offers to drive the 54km for tomorrows run to Huntley. Quick as a flash I load my pack into the car with the intention of stashing it somewhere at the finish, No pack tomorrow, free running   After 10km Craig decides to enlist the ‘ expert advice ‘ of a cyclist friend called Sherpa Pete.

Sherpa Pete

So called Sherpa because he works his butt off in the peloton! So we stop at Sherpa Pete’s place, his wife Sarah-Jane makes more tea, more route discussions and a lot more jokes and we are off again with Sherpa Pete. I see there are two stretches of 15 and 20km with no places to get water, so I will be prepared. We measure the distance as 54km for there are no km markers here.

In Huntley we stop at the Odd Spoon Cafe where we have another laugh with the two owners Toni and Denise Broster, they say minding my pack till I run into town on my world run is the strangest request they have ever had, even more unbelievable than an Irishman that doesn’t drink! On the way back we drop off Sherpa Pete who plans to run home. I am told that I have a new follower to the site, it’s starting to grow here in New Zealand.

Back at Craig’s house after a 120km reconnaissance trip I devour the most delicious dinner I have had in a long time, delicious tender lamb roast with crunchy vegetables. I spend a pleasant evening with the family. Meanwhile Chuck phones and tomorrows, Saturday’s arrangement is for me to run the 54km, texting him just before I get to the Odd Spoon Cafe in Huntley. He will drive out 25km from his home to pick me up to stay at his place and will of course return me to the same place on Sunday morning.

Yes readers, I think we are going to have a good time in the land down under. Here’s till tomorrow, and a lot more smileys

As mentioned before I keep changing my methods as per the challenges ahead of me. In Australia I will have a support vehicle but for the rest of it I am back to running with my backpack! I have just this afternoon sent on Nirvana ( for new Kiwi readers thats my Chariot Carrier cart in which I push my supplies, tent etc) to the Irish embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. Many thanks to the embassy staff there for agreeing to take delivery of her

This should be a very interesting segment, please stay tuned!

I am still in Auckland getting myself sorted and getting my bits and pieces on the route further on for the run down New Zealand and beyond. More details on this later. I  have also inserted the photos on the Fiji blog s so please read back as far as ‘ Back on the road ‘ blog.  It has been an incredibly busy few days and I would have been lost only for Alan and Sue Knox and  family. What can I say, this dream has been shared by so many people who are working so hard for me that I cant possibly let them down!

The plan is to start running Friday morning from Waitemata Harbour, Tamaki Drive,Auckland, start time to be confirmed.

Hi Everyone,

I arrived in Auckland this afternoon and was picked up by my host Alan Knox at the airport. I will be going for a short run with his club at 5.30 after that we have something to eat and then I have been asked to give a talk!

It may take me a couple days to get going out of Auckland.

I had to book a flight out of New Zealand this morning as part of their entry requirement. So I have a confirmed booking for Christchurch to Hobart Tasmania, Australia departing Feb 27 at 9pm and arriving in Hobort on Feb 28 at 8am. I change and overnight in Melbourne airport.

So that means my NZ route will be timed to that date which is 6 weeks instead of the planned 5 weeks. I now expect to hit the mainland in Australia around 10 March

Also while in Nadi airport I was very lucky to escape a 100 euro excess baggage charge. I asked for a manager for the airline Air Pacific, after explaining about the run he kindly waived the charges   Thank you Air Pacific

Thank you Air Pacific!

Also thanks again to Alan Knox and family for their kind help.

Also special best wishes to my great friend Phil Essam today, I have been thinking of you!