Somme and Le Quesnoy visit.

A visit to various WW1 gravesites and memorials is a sobering reminder of the futility and wanton waste of war.

 At least the beautifully kept sites have some enlightening features.

 Every intersection in this area seems to have multiple signs to gravesites.

The present beauty of the countryside is such a contrast with the photos of the trenches!

We visited new friends in Le Quesnoy and coincidentally discovered a strong connection to NZ due to action by soldiers during WW1. They liberated the town with great bravery and minimal damage to it.

Marie-line and Bruno live in the countryside just outside Le Quesnoy. 

A few days in Paris

Arrived 19 May - a little jetlagged of course!  Aparthotel Adagio Tour Eiffel well situated  - 10 min walk from Eiffel Tower  and easy walking distance to other key areas of central Paris.

Traffic and parking  in Paris is a challenge of course but the locals seem to manage.

A day at Roland Garros for the tennis was a new experience  (the first day of qualifying).

Also the Formula E race was on. It may be the way of the future BUT not the sound appeal of 'real' racing!!

Sorry that video not available. 

NZ Cycleways: Pou Horenga Tai.

I had the pleasure of riding a section of a new cycleway in the top part of the North Island in February.

The two sections I did were Kaikohe to Okaihau and Okaihau to Horeke - approx 25 km. The first leg was a gentle uphill out of Kaikohe (including an old railway tunnel) and then mostly level into Okaihau (past Lake Omapere).

The second section started sedately on a new track through paddocks, then a dramatic downhill road, through a beautiful stream/ valley and finishing along a boardwalk through mangroves.