I love going places. Particularly the going part. Walking, driving, sailing, flying – however the going must happen, it’s often my favourite part of the journey. I enjoy the transition of being between places, because it often gives you a space away from the realities of life. Time to think about time.

For the same reason, I enjoy being away from cellphone service and internet, the constant siren call of the ‘real world’, and the fear of missing out on something. Life simplifies. It becomes about doing and being, living and seeing.

I really enjoyed the trip that Dad and I took down to Fiordland last year when I got back from Chatham Island in November. We spent a bit over a week out of cellphone range, with no internet, chasing birds. It was glorious. It snowed. It stormed. We had bluebird days, persistent rain, and everything in between. We had a few plans, but followed our noses and came away with some fantastic memories.

All to the soundtrack of Mark Knopfler’s latest album, which was released just as we headed out from Te Anau down the Milford road. The favourite? One Song At A Time. Give it a listen, and enjoy a few photos from our adventure below…