Ponsonby is so much like Glebe, where we lived in Sydney… every second storefront is a bustling bar or restaurant, there’s a woman’s bookshop, a tattoo parlour, a herbarium, a sustainable veggie burger joint, endless coffee bars, and an evening view to CBD down across the valley towards the Pacific Ocean. Hipster heaven.
This trip will be so different to last. I probably won’t be able to get all high and righteous about their politics, environmental welfare or their relationship with indigenous people. This time I have bought my own cheap guitar with me. I don’t think I’ll be able to complain about the heat. In my landlady’s store cupboard though I’ve found three cans of Raid and two spray bottles for spiders. Hmmm…
The single biggest difference is that I have no Travelling Companion this time. TC has stayed at home, and I’ve no one to share this all with… except you perhaps. And you’ll pardon me, I hope, for saying that a white sheet of paper shared with a remote reader is not quite the same as together feeling the warm sticky heat of a remote island on your neck as the sun goes down, sharing the awe of vivid raucous birds, tasting the local wine (grown this year don’t ya know), being in places you’ve never been and won’t ever be again. Part of me is already counting the days back home.
But then the much larger part of me is so excited. I know this is an exploration of an entirely different character from that we planned. I’ve lived alone abroad many a time, when working… jogging between plane and office, conference and hotel, often with people I knew well, but still quite by myself. Also these last 4 years I’ve walked 10,000 miles with thoughts profound and vacuous. So I’m used to making sense of the world by myself, and I enjoy that challenge. I expect to be lonely and exhilarated at once. I have an itinerary, but now I’m my own person, I might change it. I will certainly make up stories, create my own myths and legends, and maybe occasionally, if forced, tell the truth! Am I really an ‘unreliable narrator’ – or is that a double bluff?
I’m so looking forward to the long empty ocean walks under azure skies where I’m the only person on earth, the people (who of course are just Lesser Australians), the endless supply of lamb chops, Anchor butter and cheap Sauvignon blanc, the unpronounceable Maori place names, the roaring of war songs wherever I go. And being disabused of all these prejudices.
I’ve had more Reads for the 2016 blog than I’ve ever had Listens to my songs. That tickles my fancy. If you enjoyed that, or keep enjoying this, stay with me. I could do with the company, we can try to understand this random splodge of two islands, on the edge of nowhere, set on the sparkling sea.
Come with me then if you like, across New Zealand. This time, you be my Travelling Companion…..
LAZ GOEZ 2 OZ & NZ 
Laz my intrepid friend. I’m with you, by your side even. Tell me what you are up to and I will try and supply any knowledge that is relevant. Never heard of Ponsonby. So that is not a good start. I wonder if you should not change the title of you blog from OZ to NZ. Just a thought. Why Catherine no go? How long are you there for. Mode of transport. Where are you staying – camping? Backpackers? etc etc etc
Si xx
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I did change it Si! Now Oz & NZ! I’m here for 6 weeks then back to my fave city Sydney for 2 weeks visiting haunts old and new…. I’m mixing and matching transport types, but mostly they have four wheels and an engine. Camping? Moi? I’m from Hampstead, bro! Did it once, up a mountain in Peru. Lovely. I prefer having staff. Well, BnB owners anyway…. And thanks for the offer of info, but honestly I’ve had such a huge amount. Touching where you stayed for a few days next week, though I’m not lingering there. Tho I might be malingering….
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Oh and whoops… Ponsonby is the trendy / hipster suburb of Auckland where I’m starting…
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Well if you are going to Russell, Bay of Islands, do not miss the Swordfish Club. I have Friend in Wahekki Isand if you are going that way and you don’t mind a bit of nudist bathing too xxx
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Dunno yet if I’m going to Russell… I do remember you telling me about your hippie life there… and I’m sort of guessing the Swordfish Club is another of your louche hangouts where only people who resemble Bill Nighy or Bryan Ferry are allowed in. I’m not sure I fall into that category: more Demis Roussos. By the same token, I would inflict my blog on anyone, but my nudist bathing? Even I have some standards… admittedly low ones…
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If you don’t go to Bay of Islands what on earth will you be doing for six whole weeks….. apart from writing your blog. Don’t forget as Henry Blitherstone once said good blogs follow great adventures. And, if I might add, great blogs follow great disasters. So watch it xx
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Wait and see!
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Enigmatical……As we are stuck building here, there are no travel adventures for us this year so you, dear Lazzaroo, are our virtual escape from the British winter (nor to mention effing Brexit) Oh god I have just dropped myself into a dark place. Will contact your other half for mutual support xxxx
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PS if you go to Wahekki, nudist bathing is not compulsory peace and love probably is/are. I have never been there myself mind ! xx
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I just love it when people recommend things / people they havenât done / themselves! Recently someone insisted I went to an art show in London that I would âsimply loveâ. Turned out afterwards they hadnât been themselves… Nope, I will not be your Naked Research Student! Good stuff planned donât worry. Off to remote bird island now…
Sent from my iPhonic device
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Larry, I’m looking forward to reading about your adventures. By a strange coincidence the running machine in the Lab showed a film ofa run through Auckland this week. By the harbour, through the city centre and up a big hill with a view over the whole scene.
Bruce
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Ha! You didn’t spot me then?!
I’m just leaving Auckland right now and I’m sure the first post will be up in the next few days!
Auckland is like a mini Sydney (to my tourist eyes). Great walking, great food (wow factor 8), and I’ve been out of town quite a bit. All in the first post methinks…
L
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