Last night I stayed in an Earthship. What the heck is an Earthship I hear you ask? Well, let me explain…. Earthships are buildings made out of recycled materials including old car tyres. They provide completely sustainable, off-grid living for those who are brave enough or driven enough to embark on such an adventure. I met up with Brian and Karen Gubb in Ngaruawahia (New Zealand) to find out what it’s like to live in one of these unique creations and they were happy to share their … [Read more...]
Sunspace Cafe
Sunspace Café is the best kept secret on the Sunshine Coast If you’re heading to the Sunshine Coast any time soon I recommend taking some time out to visit Sunspace, a joyous little café I discovered last time I was in town. Recommended by a local, it is located in a fantastic old building that was formerly a German restaurant. The setting is beautiful, with lots of room both inside and out, a beautiful garden and plenty of grass for kids to run around. Serving vegetarian, … [Read more...]
Trekking Kokoda
The Kokoda Track - Difficulty: hard I step off the small 10-seater plane at Kokoda Station having just flown over the very mountain ranges we are about to traverse. They look endless and impenetrable. I can’t believe what we’re about to do. We gather together for introductions, our porters step forward in turn to tell us their name and the number of times they’ve walked the Track (there’s one first timer, and one guy who’s walked the track 100 times). Mary our trek leader explains that … [Read more...]
Finishing Kokoda
I stepped off at Kokoda Station with my pack snuggly on my back, my two walking poles and an excited, nervous curiosity about the adventure that lay ahead. Eight days later I walked proudly under the arches at the end of the Track, with sore knees, dirt under my nails, and tears in my eyes. This was something special. This was something profound…. It has taken me a week to fully leave the jungle and come back down to earth. I have been processing it all in my mind, craving some quite time to … [Read more...]
3 things I always take travelling
I've never had a St Christopher, but I have my own travel talismans that come with me whenever I go wandering…. My greenstone necklace My greenstone necklace always finds a place around my neck when I head off travelling. I like being recognised as a Kiwi and in many parts of the world people know that a greenstone necklace means New Zealander so it can be a great conversation starter. My greenstone is pretty special to me as it was a gift from good mates on my 30th birthday. It comes with … [Read more...]
Hiking socks
I joined Base Camp Fit on one of their organised hikes during my Kokoda training, and I asked Trainer Chase Tucker to give me some tips about choosing the best hiking socks. Over to you Chase….. Have you been on a trek or hike before and spent hundreds of dollars on the best hiking shoes only to get blisters and finish the day with damp, shrivelled smelly feet? It’s a pretty common occurrence, and it’s because most people assume that all socks are equal, which is definitely not the … [Read more...]
Hiking Mount Greville
***Training for Kokoda and fundraising for the Mates in Construction suicide prevention program*** Donate here When I bought my new hiking boots at the K2 store they gave me a voucher for a free trek with Base Camp Fit. I decided to book one of their more challenging hikes – a 5-6 hour mission up Mount Greville, in the Moogerah Peaks National Park (out Beaudesert way). Somehow I managed to persuade my friend Melissa to come with me, and last Saturday we completed our most … [Read more...]
Preparing for Kokoda
There are now 35 people signed up for the inaugural Mates in Construction Kokoda Trek. Most of us are connected to the construction industry, some of us are super fit, and some of us aren’t. Some of us are experienced hikers, and others (like me) are complete novices. One thing we all have in common is a fierce determination. We have signed up to push ourselves to new limits, to see what we can achieve when we step out of our comfort zones. Game on. I’ve realised pretty quickly that I have … [Read more...]
My next big adventure – Kokoda
I wasn’t especially looking for a big adventure right now, but the gods above must be restless, and so I find myself staring down the barrel of an intense 3 month fitness training program to get fit enough to tackle the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. It’s not something I ever imagined myself doing, but work has invited me to go and write about this adventure and I’m not one to say no to a new travel quest! I hadn’t heard of the Kokoda Trail until I came to live in Australia. It is one … [Read more...]
Backyard bee keeping
I dream of getting a block of land, building a tiny house, planting an orchard, raising chickens and keeping bees. On Tuesday night I had my first insight into the world of bee keeping. I went to a workshop by Inspired Living Events to hear Paul Wood from Brisbane Backyard Bees share his joy for these busy little honey makers. Paul makes and sells a type of bee hive which is suitable for backyard bee keeping, called a Top Bar Hive. Top Bar Hives are based on an ancient Greek design … [Read more...]
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