2011-2012 has been an emotional 12 months for us

We became kiwi citizens. Our kids, Ben and Beth survived the Christchurch earthquakes. I lost my mum and brother, Brian, to cancer in the same week. We sold our outdoor activity business in Hanmer Springs that we had run for ten years. We ran the Forest Camp as managers and we will celebrate 30 years of marriage.

It has been a time of intense emotions and hard work but a great network of friends and family has supported us.

Losing Brian at the age of 60 has convinced me that we have to “live life for today”. With that in mind Steve and I have decided that the best way to celebrate surviving, being kiwis and the “life of Brian” is to walk the length of New Zealand. Now here is the irony, Brian would be convinced that we are finally, totally and unreservedly barking mad!

Thanks to Ben and Beth for their support to let us go, to Sharon and Serge our Hanmer backstops and to Shalane for inspiration.

Follow us on our journey – meet us on the way with tea and scones, walk a section with us, join us for a beer or just support our cause and donate to Cancer research!

Feel free to add comments to our blog below, just click on "comments" below the blog entry and write in the box then add your name or be anonymous!!

Monday 27 May 2013

The final post.

Hi Guys, Just thought we would put up one last post of some of the out takes from the trail. It has been hard to adapt to not walking each day but we have enjoyed having the creature comforts again.

We will be returning to Hanmer in October. Thanks once again to all the people who have donated to our charity and to all of you Trail Angel's that helped us on the way.

Mud glorious Mud!!!

More mud glorious Mud.


Every picture tells a story!

A fine figure of a man, good job he is in the distance.
Too tired to get into the Tent.




Definitely not Vegetarian !!

Where the hell is the stile?




We are going to live and work in Wanaka for the winter so if you are keen to catch up or have a night or two with us please give us a call on 027 3157383.