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Winter 2025-26
  • Simon Randfield
  • Simon Randfield

Winter 2025-26

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  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    2

    A2O

    January 8 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Three more nights back " home" in Wanaka ( in my dreams!). Mainly chilling, a bit of biking , a bit of weird skin reaction that needed an( independent!) doctors attention and then Kerry dropped in with Lucy! A wonderful 24 hrs catching up with them, with not an ounce of van envy... honest. We had a couple of walks and a lovely meal out at the treehouse again 😊
    But all good things must come to an end and we waved goodbye to the girls as they continued their odyssey southwards and we dragged ourselves away from Wanaka to head northwards to Twizel/ Mt Cook to start the A2O. The Alps to Ocean is a 5 day "great ride" from the high country at the base of Mt Cook to the coast at Oamaru . May the weather be fair and the wind from behind.....    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    1

    A2O. Day 1

    January 9 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Our first day of the Alps to Ocean was a drive up to mount Cook village, snuggled under the highest peak in New Zealand, and a cycle back to base. Problem is there's a large river in the way. So in true kiwi fashion the ride starts with a wee heli ride across the Tasman glacier outflow to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere.
    The wind was wild to start with but assisted us descending down to Lake Pukaki on single track and then a mixture of too- shingly road and made MTB track along the eastern shores of the lake. The lake has it classy photogenic colours from the glacial silt that feeds into it. Despite this, after 40 k of lake (yes, it's huge) we could no longer resist a dip in the glacial water. Just about enough to revive us as it was damn hot- we were properly Cooking. The wind also turned into a mean south westerly for the last bit, but by this time we were on a cool lakeside track then an even better single track dropping onto the pukaki flats/ lake outflow and home to get horizontal asap. A big day in big country.    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    1

    A2O day 2

    January 10 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Plans for day 2 were dictated to a large part by poor weather forecast for day 3. What was meant to be a leisurely start and a short 40 k day changed to an early car transfer 30k down the road and a hitch hike back from a lovely 4-square supermarket delivery lorry driver. Then on the bikes and knock off our days cycling by lunchtime. Just as well as the headwinds as we got to the lake were pretty tough.
    After refuelling at Lake Ohau lodge we then headed off to do half of day 3 , heading up to the high point of the route, with the strengthening wind now on our backs. From the top we had the most delightful 30k downhill, first on lovely single track, then on super smooth gravel, finishing with a bit of empty tarmac. This is why we go cycling! The last km or so into Omarama turned back into the wind and reminded us we were still human.
    The van was waiting for us at the Wrinkly Ram and 30 minutes later we were back at Lake Ohau Lodge for a lovely communal dinner, safe and smug in the knowledge that half of day 3 is done before the "weather bomb" arrives...    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler

    A2O day 3 & 4

    January 11 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We awoke to find Day 3 was the total weather wipe out as forecast and the smug-o meter was scoring high as we watched our fellow cyclists set off into the lashing rain with the occasional boom of thunder resonating around the valley. We occupied our time with coffee, table tennis, reading, driving , coffee, lunch , driving, snoozing and looking forlornly out of the window.
    However by 5.30 we'd had enough of that and a feint chink in the clouds was seen... we jumped into action and set off for our days cycle with rain clouds spitting at our heels and head torches just incase.
    But as forecast the evening dried out and as the wind blew us through the undulations of Sailors Cutting the sun finally came out around BenMore Dam where we were able to enjoy some of the best trail yet. Back at 8.30 pm to a picnic dinner and a great sleep.
    This. Took the pressure off day 4 and the weather had returned to normal- sunny with an increasing tail wind. and it's downhill and via an amazing cafe in Ritchie McCaws home town and an even better vineyard restaurant at RiverT - what's not to like? We meandered into our homely B&B late afternoon, feeling very satisfied...    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    1

    Mt Cook- Oamaru

    January 14 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    So what do you do when you've completed a ride from Alps to the Ocean? You return to the Alps. And then drive back to the Ocean.....
    There was a good wee weather window for the mt cook area so we took the bus transfer back to the mountains to pick up our van and after a quick swim/wash near Twizel we parked up at Lake Pukaki with the iconic views of Mt Cook and ,ironically, on the A2O.
    Separately our kiwi guide extraordinaire- Toni, and Kerry &Lucy had raved about the Mueller Hut hike and a severe case of FOMO soon saw us on the mountain equivalent of stair master. Even if a stair lift might have been more appropriate for us oldies, it was worth it as the clouds cleared revealing stunning views of Mt Sefton and the more retiring Mt Cook.
    Then, back to the Ocean!! The steampunk themed Oamaru beckoned    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    1

    A2O day 5

    January 14 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Last day of the A2O and we expected to be just going through the motions for 60k. However the trail continued to deliver with easy single track snaking along the riverside( and through the irrigation sprayers☔️ !) through the wetlands, to Duntroon( is that a made up more Scottish than Scotland name?) then we started to climb up out of the Waitake valley that we had followed thus far and into a limestone wonderland of bluffs and cliffs, including Maori rock art, Elephant Rocks and Aslan's camp ( apparently) and then through more kiwi than New Zealand rolling countryside . This included railway lines, a tunnel, rolling fields, more irrigation systems and a pub selling pies. But soon we were dropping down into the suburbs of Oamaru, to the hurly-burly of traffic and noise and to the ocean. Alps to Ocean. Done!Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    112

    Heading north. And west

    January 18 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    So, thoroughly steampunked by Oamaru, we headed north across the Canterbury Plains and into some miserable weather in Christchurch. Parked up in a rammed suburban campsite amongst the puddles we did a bit of lifemin and visted the local mall. Really livin'.
    Day saved by going to an arty cinema to see Anchor Me, the biography of Don McGlashan, an obscure kiwi music fave.
    We spent the next day wandering around the city . Pleasant tho it was we concluded that the city is better as a place to live than a place to visit. Obviously, it's 35 years since we lived there so was unrecognisable . Not least due to the 2011 earthquakes from which the city is still piecing itself together. Of note , the "pink palace" where we lived in the early 90s still stands!
    Saturday morning we dodged showers to complete a fast flat park run, all but past our old house. Popular events here- more than 700 running! Then more memory lane wanderings to Sumner and Taylor's Mistake beaches, before driving into the mist and murk of Arthur's Pass.
    We'd booked into Porters Lodge- in winter a ski field, which was basically just a carpark amongst dreich grey hills. The occasion was saved by very entertaining lodge staff and the arrival of Kerry and Lucy!
    They are on their way back to Christchurch, finishing off their holiday but we had a lovely reunion over dinner before returning to the freezing vans!
    The girls disappeared off early in the morning to the airport. So great to see them having what sounded like an amazing road trip. # vanlife.
    Inertia started to set in but 20 mins down the hill and out of the clouds was Cave Stream. What better than an chest deep immersion in a freezing cold underground river to shake off the cobwebs??!
    The levels were high and the water flow brisk so the sensible amongst us decided not to proceed. Those that were already immersed to their oxters continued on.. The river was brisk and a little challenging fighting the flow in places, but delivered ( once again) in the beauty of the smooth limestone shapes. And like previous, goes on just far enough for you to start thinking... "have I gone the right way?"
    Wet but happy I emerged from my troglodytic paradise and we carried on our merry way, Helen graciously listening to my interminable reminiscences of the coast to coast race..
    to shake that out of me Helen forced me to climb mt Avalanche. A beautiful 1800 m peak above Arthur's Pass, the scenery could have been Scottish - even down to the chilly wind- apart from;
    1. The first 600m of the climb- so steep through the trees ( we don't have natural forest in Scotland) and
    2. big fat cheeky Keas on the summit.    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    11111

    West is best

    January 18 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    We left Arthur's pass and it was as if the gates to the garden of Eden had opened: lush green forest, rich with birdsong,warm and sunny. Could this really be Greymouth ?( where it normally looks and feels as it sounds...)
    We found an idyllic spot on the coast and even got the picnic table and chairs out to enjoy a spectacular sunset.
    A leisurely morning followed with a coast walk from van to coffee, then up the coast to "pancake rocks" and a walk up the tail end of the Paparoa tramp. I had planned to ride this ( unusually it's a shared bike/walk trail) however there had been a landslip blocking the central part of the route. So walking it was - and very pleasant it was with a lovely if chilly swim half way round.
    From there we headed inland to our friends Murray and Gaye ( and son Euan)
    Murray is West Coast farmer born and bred and through the mists of time, neither of us could remember how we met. That needn't matter as even though our lives could not be more dissimilar, the warm welcome they have always offered transcends this.
    They run a dairy farm with 800 cows 40k up a dead end valley surrounded by magnificent but impenetrable mountains. Wow.
    We soon settled into country life , building silage piles, delivering stock, milking the pissing, shitting machines they called cows. Day 2 finished the silage piles and a visit to drench, castrate and dehorn( different issues, and believe me you'd sooner be castrated than dehorned😳) a neighbors young bulls. All set to the calm homely ambience of Gaye recounting tales of everyone related to the valley and feeding us like royalty.
    By day 4 we were starting to feel some inertia, the draw of Gaye's ginger fudge needed to be overcome, so we reluctantly headed off into the rain, heading North.
    Our goal now is Nelson but a wee detour was called for to return to Lake Matiri hut. The kids are still traumatised by the previous trip we made up there, wading through dangerously high rivers to find a hut full with a snorers convention.
    This time was much more pleasant: no overnight and a new road and bridge making it all a bit tame, though beautiful all the same. Demons exorcised.    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler

    Nelson

    January 25 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Mike and Dorren are such good hosts that it almost felt like coming home when we arrived in Nelson. Their house is from another world, or at least, from a country homes magazine, through vineyards and macadamias ( more of that later), perched on top of a hill with extensive views to the mountains across the Tasman Bay. Add to this, trampolines, swimming pool, hot tub, gym, tennis, horses, cows, ducks and dogs- and a delightful son, Finn: aged 18 and imminently heading off to Uni.
    So we didn't have to wander far to have a lovely weekend, dog walking, coffee drinking, wine tasting, jet skiing and water skiing.
    But all of this had to be earned and we were soon put to work as woofers on the macadamia nut production line. De husking, cracking then finding multiple ( but as yet not exhausted ) ways of eating them.
    Monday morning and the workers were off to work whilst the woofers( sorry should explain: "workers on organic farms") prised themselves out of bed , hardly able to move after the previous day's battering being dragged behind a jet ski in the vague semblance of sport). Various coffees later we found ourselves at the top of the Takaka hill dangling off a via ferrata. Quite sporty and obviously airy, and all for an unbelievable $10 each!! I love a bargain.
    The weather was holding so we carried on north to Farewell spit and Wharariki beach. This beach is beyond the back end of nowhere but boy does it deliver! A beautiful forest walk through a deafening chattering choir of cicadas opens onto dunes and a huge beach with crashing waves and arched islands that are like sculptures in the sea. Throw in a few caves, cute seal pups and the beautiful last of the day light casting long shadows and it was a quasi- religious experience. Stunned into silence. Almost.
    We stayed at the nearby campsite, so were able to do a second take the following morning and it was almost as good. If you come to New Zealand you must come to this beach. It's a long way, correct. It is definitely worth it!
    The rain caught up with us as we raced across the base of Farewell Spit and another Wild West coast beach that stretches away beyound the horizon, and we made our way back to Motueka- another blast of memory lane as we lived here for a few months in 2005    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler

    The Tasman Great Taste Trail & Abel Tn

    January 28 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    So taken we were by other New Zealand "great rides" we decided to try and squeeze the c200k great Tasman Taste Trail into 2 days.... on barely adequate bikes. To minimise bag carriage we had complex starting / finishing arrangements ( although possibly this was just a ruse to avoid more nights in the increasingly odourous van...). Whatever , we got an extra night in our old ' hood, Motueka, and more time in our favourite coffee shop, Toad Hall. We shuttled the van as far up the hill as possible and set off.
    First challenge was Spooners Tunnel- the longest tunnel of some sort in the southern hemisphere. All very pleasant, following an old railway line. It pops out into the upper Motueka valley which is delightful. A wee detour over the Baton Saddle dropped us into the Baton Valley and the most amazing honesty cafe/ shed. Amongst local historical artefacts, you could help yourself to hot drinks, ice creams, sweets, WiFi, charge your phone or bike battery, use the extensive bike tools, if need use the first aid kit or the PLB. There was even a chilly bin with pre ordered lunches. Everything you could possibly want.
    Just as well as there was nothing at all for the rest of the baton- Motueka valley. Even Noel Edmond's lifestyle farm was closed due to land slips. So we were pretty broken by the time we and our barely adequate bikes made it back to Motueka.
    We found energy later to have a dip in the salt water baths and visit our old house to find Allan and Lois still going strong.
    Day 2 of the ride meandered northwards, following the coast in places, popping out in Mapua and the ferry across to Rabbit Island. This is very much Dorren and Mikes stomping ground and we found ourselves in their local cafe for lunch.
    20k of purgatory was left to complete the loop, slowly uphill into a headwind, alongside a busy road. Job done.
    Desperate for a rest day , but the weather served up another corker of a day so we had no choice but to cram in another adventure. This time sea kayaking up the Abel Tasman- dropping the kayaks off at Anchorage after a picnic on a n isolated sandbar and a quick swim. Then a walk back along the track that was just so runnable that we ran it...
    Properly pooped by the end of the day, not sure how to rehydrate , but a swim and hot tub followed by dinner at Dorren and Mikes aided recovery. Ready now to head back south-to get rid of the stinky van and fly north....    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    1Bye bye Dora

    Sunny end to the South Island

    January 31 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Dragged ourselves away from Dorren and Mikes and headed eastwards . First stop, Pelorus Bridge. A nice swimming spot about half way between Nelson and Blenheim, it was made all the more special- and Kiwi- when we could hire inner tubes to float down the gorge for $5. What a bargain! And what fun! Initially bobbling down some rapids then serenely floating the latter part. Lots of kiwi families enjoying the cool water on a baking hot day.
    Onwards for lunch at Allan Scott vineyard with some lovely wine for the non driver.
    Through Blenheim and found a beautiful wild kiwi beach campsite near cape Campbell, and fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing on a brisk northerly wind.
    A calm morning as the wind had dropped and the tide receded. Then back in Dora the Explorer, through Kaikora, squeezed between mountain and sea, and on to Hanmer Springs. Our initial disappointment that many mtb tracks were closed due to Novembers storm damage was alleviated by the reality that there were still plenty to keep us busy on a hot afternoon- (-and the signage was so poor that Helen seemed to just repeat the one line anyhow🙃)
    Real fruit gelato then we paid the tourist dollar and went to the hot pools that Hanmer is famed for. There's a mixture of slides/ rides and oversized naturally heated jacuzzis. A very pleasant way to while away a few hours and contemplate life.
    We parked up in a free permitted overnight space in the middle of town , with toilet facilities and a park area with benches and communal gas bbqs. Why would none of this ever work in the uk?
    Early start for a beautiful run in the forest, cool at this altitude in the morning shade, then a drive back to Christchurch, via a brief stop at the Balmoral fire lookout at Hurunui .
    The main event today was dropping Dora the Explorer off.
    We might have had somewhat rocky start with our relationship with Dora, but she's kept us on the road for more than 5000k !And with the generosity of friends we've only had to sleep in her for 15 nights of 6 weeks. So there was a mixture of relief and sadness when we waved her goodbye.
    One last treat was catching up with Jane Milner, a nurse friend and housemate of Judes from our time in Christchurch 35 years ago. We stayed with her and -ably supported by Jan ( aged 70) and Ben( aged 19) -we gave the local pub quiz a go and didnt come last!!!    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    Reaching the end of the tracks
    Ian & Rachel12Chris & Nicola

    North island finale

    February 4 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Getting on a plane and your body feels like you're going home. So it was a nice treat to have a little holiday ( a week!) back in the North island principally based at Ewen and Toni's in Auckland.
    First was to get Helen a hair cut then out for drinks and dinner with E &A and Toni's mum, Geraldine, also staying. Great night out finishing at the kiwi curfew of maybe 8.30? Perfect for us oldies.
    Next, up to Whangarei to catch up with Ian and Rachel, who we worked with in Russell. Great fun running, walking and reminiscing to the constant of Ian's infectious giggling! Waterfalls, mountains, Kauris, Maori history, flat whites and a bit of Hundertswasser. Mix that with being chased by the tide on a classic coastal walk (Manguwhai Heads) a cool little glow worm cave at the most Scottish town in Northland ( Waipu) and a Super Rugby preseason, Blues vs Crusaders in the roasting sun.
    Back in Auckland we squeezed in a catch up with Nicola and Chris before a fantastic Auckland day starting with a park run, one or two flat whites and almond croissants at THE most bijou cafe, then ferry to Waiheke for fantastic food and wonderful wine in the sun with E&A and Geraldine. How many cities of the world could offer such a top notch day out?
    The second half of the weekend was slightly more sedate with a more relaxed start, some 6 nations rugby ( less said the better) and a lovely ridgeline walk on the west coast with E&A and Geraldine. So nice to spend time with the Peckhams ( tho both can trot along at a fair old pace...)
    Sad farewells then we broke camp and headed to The Coromandel- a wild hilly peninsula just an hour and a half from Auckland. This set us up nicely for an early start Monday morning for a tramp up to The Pinnacles - ancient logging tracks leading us to wildly precipitous volcanic tors with 360deg views over an untamed wilderness.
    A half day before we flew out of Auckland allowed time to explore the old mining tunnels, and tracks of Karangahake.
    And that , my friends, wraps things up for New Zealand. We have reached the end of the tracks indeed. But not before planning a further trip later this year😊🇳🇿    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    12

    Colorado-Fort Collins

    February 11 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    The final stage of our trip and to complete our global circumnavigation we dropped into Colorado to catch up with family and do some skiing, something that's been on the "to do" list for years.
    First stop, Cath and Joe in Fort Collins. With the mad Robbie-dog and Jim-cat what wonderful hosts and what a great place they live! Original plans might have been to ski/ ski tour but the worst ( driest) winter in 60 yrs but we adapted and in 5 days we explored their locale like FoCo locals. We biked around their uber bike friendly city, and climbed local peaks- Horsetooth and Grey Mountain. We ran some local trails , checked out the gear shops and explored fave coffee spots - me oh my indeed! We celebrated Helen's birthday with the brilliant mid winter 🥶 bike to work day and then had a sneaky after work trip ( and therefore Trump-national-park-fee dodging 🤪) to find snow high up in the impressive Rocky Mountain National Park.
    Come the weekend we were presented with a bluebird day and after a drive higher up the mountains we found plenty white stuff at Cameron Pass. We had a brilliant tree ski tour -in places we were floundering in metre deep powder -and although the ski down verged more on the "tree" than the "ski" we had a great adventure led ably and safely by Joe and friend Jace. If this a poor snow season , we need more like this in Scotland. !    Read more

  • Simon RandfieldWinter 2025-26Traveler
    2Oxygen or cannabis?Aaron on harmonicaYes, very coldBruce on spruce; a piste- side porcupineYes, very high

    Colorado- Breckenridge: The finale

    February 19 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ -14 °C

    We headed up to Breckenridge to meet up with Andy and Claire. Breck town is at 9000ft so a bit of huffing and puffing to start with and bizzare sleep. Whether that was the altitude or the copious alcohol we were forced to imbibe , we might never know....
    We hit the ground running with lots of Andy and Claire's mates, mostly Exon -Mobil , and mostly just retired or just about to retire. So lots of celebrations to be had over the first 3 days, centred around Aaron and Franzie's. Fortunately their house was only a short , baltic but lethally frozen walk home .
    Andy, Claire, Joe and Cath were our indefatigable guides around the pistes - although had to be reminded not to mention how much snow would normally be expected, etc etc. Basically, poor Breck season= average alpine season= excellent Scottish conditions!
    We still found lots of cruisy pistes, lots of moguls, lots of trees-and a few rocks. A fine geology lesson made for rental skis. And lots of fun.
    We found time for a couple of ski tours up Mt Baldy and were able to shred some untouched snow, so we were happy. We also had a day trip to Vail, lower but with marginally better snow cover , which was pretty cool.
    But most of all we had some lovely relaxed time with the fam.
    We are so privileged to be able to do all this stuff . 'Spose we better go home and do some work now......    Read more

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