A provocative question perhaps but one that many people in Wanaka and, I suspect around the region, are discussing. That Wanaka and Queenstown are growing at a rapid rate is undeniable. The speed of growth and the lack of a coherent plan to manage that growth and ensure that it doesn’t overwhelm or destroy the … Continue reading Growth v. Community?
“Overtourism”
“Overtourism” is an issue that confronts the present and future towns of Wanaka and Queenstown. We (those who live here and travel) are part of the problem in so far as we are happy to fly out of Queenstown and use it as a departure point for our overseas trips. We also benefit one way … Continue reading “Overtourism”
Atlas Mountains to the Arctic 2018, Part 4 – Spitsbergen, Norway, Germany and Singapore
Spitsbergen Day Seventy-two … Thursday, 31st May Scotland to Spitsbergen We were up bright and early and after breakfast it was time to pack up the car and head to Edinburgh airport. Rob kindly drew a mudmap of how to get to the nearest petrol station to the airport. We bade our fond farewells, thanking … Continue reading Atlas Mountains to the Arctic 2018, Part 4 – Spitsbergen, Norway, Germany and Singapore
Atlas Mountains to the Arctic 2018, Part 3 – UK: England, Scotland, the Orkney Islands and the Isle of Skye
England Day Forty-three … Wednesday 2nd May Barcelona to Gatwick After a fantastic buffet breakfast with an international spread and lots of healthy options, we decided to set off from the Tryp Airport Hotel and head to the airport early, as Hertz’s reputation online (and directly) was clearly unreliable at best. We could find no … Continue reading Atlas Mountains to the Arctic 2018, Part 3 – UK: England, Scotland, the Orkney Islands and the Isle of Skye
Atlas Mountains to the Arctic 2018, Part 2 – Portugal, the Azores and Northern Spain
Portugal Day Twenty Four…Friday 13th April Tavira – the Algarve We woke at Quinta do Caracol, our quirky but delightful B&B to much improved weather. The "Quinta do Caracol", Portuguese for farm of the snail, or Snail Farm had been in the family for generations and dated back to 1680. Originally the farm produced olives … Continue reading Atlas Mountains to the Arctic 2018, Part 2 – Portugal, the Azores and Northern Spain
Rainwater capture and recycling system in Germany.
On a recent overseas trip, I visited my cousin who lives in Germany. They live in a pretty village, part of a group of villages that come under the same local authority east of Frankfurt. I asked what they do about storm water. They explained that under local authority regulations, every house has to have … Continue reading Rainwater capture and recycling system in Germany.
Atlas Mountains to the Arctic 2018, Part 1- Seville, Morocco, southern Spain
Worldwide there are more people travelling than ever before – many of them seemingly to Wanaka. So, we decided to reverse the flow and ride the great tourist tsunami in Europe and Morocco for another awfully big adventure, this one a mere 92 days. Day One….Wednesday, 21 March Wanaka to Queenstown Packed, prepped and eager … Continue reading Atlas Mountains to the Arctic 2018, Part 1- Seville, Morocco, southern Spain
Why we should look to Scandinavia for the future of humanity.
Whenever there are surveys of human happiness and social well-being, or we look for examples of how to deal successfully with social issues, how best to educate our children, look after our elderly, address mental health and child poverty – almost inevitably we find ourselves being told about what the Scandinavian countries are doing. Why … Continue reading Why we should look to Scandinavia for the future of humanity.
Who am I? Life and Self after work
One of the toughest things to deal with after you stop full-time work is how you define yourself and how you describe yourself to people you meet. Previously, your profession or occupation worked as a kind of passport that helped you across the “borders” of human interaction, particularly with new people. Rightly or wrongly, people … Continue reading Who am I? Life and Self after work
Wanaka and Upper Clutha stormwater management
WANAKA AND UPPER CLUTHA STORMWATER MANAGEMENT – PLANNING FOR FUTURE GROWTH, SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 5/2/18 State of play: Water New Zealand is holding a conference on Stormwater in Queenstown in May 2018: http://stormwaterconference.org.nz/ “The conference theme of Wai Ora – Rising to the Challenge provides the platform to introduce, explore, address and challenge … Continue reading Wanaka and Upper Clutha stormwater management
