I'm a writer based in Auckland, New Zealand. I spent 15 years in a sensible vocation as a town planner before taking pause to have my two children. I soon realised that I needed a change and am now following my passion and pursuing my dream of writing full time.
Dear Italy, We loved your lakes, particularly the majestic Lake Garda, with its surrounding mountains and old towns on the water’s edge. We loved your food. We may never recreate something so simple as the incredible pizza your served to us. Perhaps your secret is in the abundance of ingredients you draw from your soils? … More Postcard to Italy
I’ve enjoyed the Germanic culture. The efficiency of industry twinned with a seriousness about their environment. They’ve preserved beautiful architecture, leaving a legacy of everything from towering cathedrals to ornate hanging signs that dangle above your head as you pass through old cobbled lanes. Munich, Salzberg, Zurich, Interlaken and Grindelwald have featured on our journey. … More The Hills are Alive
We packed wetsuits and waterproof trousers. Never before have I worn so many layers or swum in such cold water with so few. Yet even when the water is a chilly 14 degrees, a quick dip in a bikini at an alluring white sand cove holds more appeal than donning a soggy wetsuit. Scotland’s Outer … More Scotland for Beginners: Visiting a Hebridean Paradise
Most New Zealanders feel closely connected with their heritage. Whether it’s tracing our whakapapa back to the first New Zealanders, or donning backpacks as we fly out to discover the origins of our grandparents from Britain. Unfortunately, I have no Polynesian ancestry to speak of, even though I like to channel my inner Moana with … More Origins and Roots
A famous Maori proverb asks: what is the most important thing in the world? The response is He Tangata: It is people, it is people, it is people. What has been the most important part of our first three weeks in the British Isles? He Tangata. We’ve just enjoyed a beautiful week in western Wales, … More E Tangata
When I tell people in New Zealand that my husband is from Lancashire I’m usually met with a polite but rather blank look. Most kiwis are familiar with London. Some have headed out of town to the Lake District to explore shops filled with Beautrix Potter souvenirs and great outdoor kit, and they’ve usually heard … More Postcode Lancashire
Sandcastles & Scribbles 