Newsletter – Second Half 2024

Welcome to our fourth Newsletter

Find out what we’ve been up to during the 2d half of 2024 and what our plans are for the rest of the year

July – Aug. Rest of Summer in Europe

July started and Stephen headed back to Norway to walk the Saga trail with two good friends, Tim and Elise. This walk lasted 12 days, and it rained a little most days. We had a great time. Last year I completed the MassIV Route as a solo walker, and so nice to return to this amazing part of the world and sharing it with friends. Also tested out a new tent which will be used in Iceland 2025.

Caroline stayed in Belgium and enjoyed Gent and her favourite festival Gent Jazz. Stephen was able to attend some of the later concerts. We also got everything we wanted from Caroline’s mum house; pot of gold were the old photos that were stashed away for safety.

At the end of July Stephen returned to Norway for 17 days to walk part of the Nordlandsruta with Shirley. The route is located in the far North of Norway, just above the Arctic Circle and along the border between Norway and Sweden. We started in the Narvik mountains and finished in Laponia World Heritage Area near the Padjelante National Park. Maybe one day Stephen will come back and finish the rest of the 340 kms that make up the Nordlandsruta?

In mid August we both went to see Raymond van het Groenewoud perform in Eeklo, which was super nice. Then it was back to Sioux Falls to get our drivers licenses and few days after that we flew to Phoenix to be re-united with Molly.

First we had to get to Canada and naturally we went via Darrin’s place in Edmonds, WA. Along the way we picked up a bike rack for Caroline’s e-bike.

First we had to get to Canada and naturally we went via Darrin’s place in Edmonds, WA. Along the way we picked up a bike rack for Caroline’s e-bike.

First we had to get to Canada and naturally we went via Darrin’s place in Edmonds, WA. Along the way we picked up a bike rack for Caroline’s e-bike.

It was rather late in the season to be heading so far north, so we didn’t dilly-dally and were soon making good progress North. The roads were not very busy at all. We did not get to see too much wildlife, so that was a bit of a pity.

Once we hit the Arctic Ocean Stephen went for the mandatory dip in the freezing waters; Caroline wisely decided to film the cold event. Then it was time to head South. Our destination was South Dakota and our new ‘home town’ of Sioux Falls. We took our time and enjoyed places like Dawson City (favourite place), Watson Lake, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Devil’s Tower National Monument. Once in Sioux Falls Molly got a car wash and a windscreen chip taken care of. We were on the road for a mere 7 weeks and managed to cram a lot of adventure in. One of the advantages of having a mission based adventure.

Oct – Dec. New Zealand and Belgium

Early October Caroline boarded a plane to Belgium and Stephen to New Zealand. Visa restrictions for Stephen in Belgium meant a quick trip back to Belgium was not possible. Stephen used the second half of October to return to Te Araroa Trail, walking from Hamilton to Ōwhango. Caroline spent time in Belgium for a few weeks before heading to New Zealand as well.

Earlier in May we had put a deposit down for a lovely green INEOS Grenadier. And our new adventure truck was almost out of production in Europe and on it’s way to New Zealand. But due a sales event and a last minute change in the engine fuel type, we ended up getting a brand new Grenadier off the lot. It was everything we wanted, except the color. It was a very dark grey, almost black. The colour is fine (or at least growing on Caroline), and we now have a brand new truck for more adventures. We call it ‘Q’.

Mid November we drove up to Auckland, via Hamilton, for a few days of sight seeing and to go to the Coldplay concert, which was super good.

A good friend from America arrived and we spent the last week of November and the first week of December with Tim around the Hawkes Bay and Wellington. Stephen and Tim also spent 5 days on the Abel Tasman National Park track. We had amazing weather, which was a bonus.

Our 3D printer arrived and it was not long before we were printing all manner of things. We are going to like this 3D printer. We also started the process to kit out our Q, with air compressor, traction boards, auxiliary battery and inverter, fridge, radios etc. Q is pretty much ready now.

The rest of December we relaxed and just enjoyed our lovely home. We finally got some good outdoor furniture and sun umbrellas to complete the back deck. It is so nice now. We also have a new soaking tub, so we made good use of that.

Stephen of course spent many hours in the garden making sure al of the weeds are kept under control. We got a Christmas tree and decorated our home. Although Christmas in the middle of summer is a little different. Christmas day was planned was planned with family. And before we knew it New Year’s Eve was upon us. The weather in the final week of 2024 was not the best, and New Years Eve was a bit of a bust; no Christmas markets or medieval Castles to go for the season’s ambiance.

Jan – Mar. What’s Next?

We plan to stay in New Zealand until mid March. Caroline will head back to Belgium for a few weeks. Stephen will probably do a little more walking and complete the second section of Te Araroa Trail. We will re-unite somewhere in America. Or maybe Stephen will also fly to Belgium.

Mar – Apr – May.

Molly needs some TLC including new starter batteries. If the weather is ok, we will head East in the US for spring.

Special note for all our ‘Overland Expo Friends’: as we want to go and explore the Eastern States we will not attend Overland Expo West in Flagstaff 2025. Hoping to return in 2026 though.

June, July and August.

These will likely be spent in Europe. Caroline has tickets already to some of the Gent Jazz concerts. Stephen wants to walk across Iceland, which will likely take 35 days.

Hoping to be on the East coast of North America for the autumn colours, before heading back to New Zealand for the southern summer.

Plans will likely change, but as of writing, these are the current thoughts.