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On our bikes

Loo art - Twin Coast
Loo art – Twin Coast
Heading towards Opua
Heading towards Opua
The long boardwalk to Horeke (and the pub)
The long boardwalk to Horeke (and the pub)
Unique bike stand
Unique bike stand
We rode along enbankments, through rice paddies, bush, along dusty roads
We rode along enbankments, through rice paddies, bush, along dusty roads
Cycling Angkor Wat
Cycling Angkor Wat
Getting back on a bike again - Otago Rail Trail
Getting back on a bike again – Otago Rail Trail
Thu Bon Delta ( Vietnam): We used multiple forms of transport to cross to the many islands in the delta. We cycled across bamboo bridges, through rice paddies and small villages. A great ride
Thu Bon Delta ( Vietnam): We used multiple forms of transport to cross to the many islands in the delta. We cycled across bamboo bridges, through rice paddies and small villages. A great ride
A paddle boarder breaks the reflection - Lake Hayes, NZ
A paddle boarder breaks the reflection – Lake Hayes, NZ
Cycling along in Holland - Captured on the GoPro
Cycling along in Holland – Captured on the GoPro
Cycling Burgundy
Cycling Burgundy
Cycling Burgundy
Cycling Burgundy
Roxburgh Gorge
Roxburgh Gorge
Roxburgh Gorge
Roxburgh Gorge
Riding to Gibbston Valley Queenstown
Riding to Gibbston Valley Queenstown
With the family
With the family
A cycle to Granity
A cycle to Granity
We biked both along the moats at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the latter is 12km. At least we were not the poor souls who had to dig them by hand.
We biked both along the moats at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the latter is 12km. At least we were not the poor souls who had to dig them by hand.
One of the better "red roads" we biked along, it was far too dangerous to attempt to photograph the others while under way.
One of the better “red roads” we biked along, it was far too dangerous to attempt to photograph the others while under way.
A more creative "statue" in Edinburgh
A more creative “statue” in Edinburgh
The muttering from further diwn the hill suggested that I was not her favourite person at that moment.
The muttering from further diwn the hill suggested that I was not her favourite person at that moment.
One of the many cycle paths in The Netherlands
One of the many cycle paths in The Netherlands
A man and his bike contemplating the next ride
A man and his bike contemplating the next ride
I would never be able to finf my bike
I would never be able to finf my bike
I had joked about the bridge being hidden in the fog, well not quite.
I had joked about the bridge being hidden in the fog, well not quite.
End of the road - Hawkes Bay trails
End of the road – Hawkes Bay trails
Another Chateau - Burgundy France
Another Chateau – Burgundy France
Ruth resting her dead legs on the Saar loop
Ruth resting her dead legs on the Saar loop
A nice long flat section across the Maniatoto Basin
A nice long flat section across the Maniatoto Basin

In the boots

Walking the Cotswolds, UK
Walking the Cotswolds, UK
Rural Devon
Rural Devon
Chinque Terre - the climb from Manarola
Chinque Terre – the climb from Manarola
Coming off Mt Tongariro
Coming off Mt Tongariro
The crossing - looking back to Mt Tongariro
The crossing – looking back to Mt Tongariro
Good sensible mountain attire
Good sensible mountain attire
Kepler track Fiordland
Kepler track Fiordland
South Western Fiordland
South Western Fiordland
Key Summit - Routeburn track
Key Summit – Routeburn track
DSCF0235
dscf9508
fullsizeoutput_51d2
Wandering the Port Hills - Canterbury
Wandering the Port Hills – Canterbury
Mt Taranaki wandering
Mt Taranaki wandering
More wandering around Taranaki
More wandering around Taranaki
The mountain obliged by showing itself
The mountain obliged by showing itself
Exploring the Mokau River inland from Mokau
Exploring the Mokau River inland from Mokau
Te Paki track near Cape Rienga
Te Paki track near Cape Rienga
Te Paki track east of Cape Rienga
Te Paki track east of Cape Rienga
Abel Tasman track
Abel Tasman track
River crossing near Awaroa on Abel Tasman track
River crossing near Awaroa on Abel Tasman track
Abel Tasman track
Abel Tasman track
Queen Charlotte Track
Queen Charlotte Track
Strolling across a farm on the Cotswold Way
Strolling across a farm on the Cotswold Way
The Priest who kindly offered us biscuits and Raki on our trip down the gorge. He put his hat on for the photo.
The Priest who kindly offered us biscuits and Raki on our trip down the gorge. He put his hat on for the photo.
Rutth opts for the track rather than giving a demo of her skills at scaling rock faces.
Rutth opts for the track rather than giving a demo of her skills at scaling rock faces.
The sun was just catching the tops of the White Mountains (Lefka Ora) when we arrived in Omalos for the begining of our walk.
The sun was just catching the tops of the White Mountains (Lefka Ora) when we arrived in Omalos for the begining of our walk.
While the wind blew at near gale force while on Skye this was a rare moment where it was not accompanied with cold rain
While the wind blew at near gale force while on Skye this was a rare moment where it was not accompanied with cold rain
Ruth got plenty of practice at jumping between wet rocks at Glen Brittle at the base of the Cuillin mountains on Skye
Ruth got plenty of practice at jumping between wet rocks at Glen Brittle at the base of the Cuillin mountains on Skye
Walking the Dunloe Gap in Killarney Ireland
Walking the Dunloe Gap in Killarney Ireland
The final descent to Bath (well so we thought)
The final descent to Bath (well so we thought)
A folly built for the owls to nest in, their natural habitat steadily reducing.
A folly built for the owls to nest in, their natural habitat steadily reducing.
Some forced smiles to show how much fun it can be in the rain.
Some forced smiles to show how much fun it can be in the rain.
One of the many sections through woods on the Cotswold Way
One of the many sections through woods on the Cotswold Way
Hiking on Great Barrier Island NZ
WTF the track has got lost
Some magnificent beech forest on the early part of the track
Some magnificent beech forest on the early part of the track
Spirits Bay Northland New zealand
The sand was beautiful to look at be hell to walk on.

Favourite Pics

Lavender in Taranaki, NZ
Lavender in Taranaki, NZ
A rare action shot - An endangered Hectors dolphin surfing - Curio Bay, NZ
A rare action shot – An endangered Hectors dolphin surfing – Curio Bay, NZ
Sea froth, Granity, NZ
Sea froth, Granity, NZ
I don't usually get up early enough to capture the shots - Fiordland, NZ
I don’t usually get up early enough to capture the shots – Fiordland, NZ
A fern in the back yard
A fern in the back yard
Going tropo - Rarotonga
Going tropo – Rarotonga
Another GoPro shot
Another GoPro shot
Hello World - Matauri Bay, NZ
Hello World – Matauri Bay, NZ
Angkor Wat - Ruth captured shot on iPhone
Angkor Wat – Ruth captured shot on iPhone
Those smiling faces, Angkor Wat
Those smiling faces, Angkor Wat
Motorcycle mayhem, Hanoi
Motorcycle mayhem, Hanoi
The Cat Man near our lodgings in Istanbul
The Cat Man near our lodgings in Istanbul
Graffiti, Islanbul
Graffiti, Islanbul
Eye candy at our lodgings - Bodrum, Turkey
Eye candy at our lodgings – Bodrum, Turkey
Storm clouds over Santorini
Storm clouds over Santorini
You never know what you will pass - Samaria Gorge, Crete
You never know what you will pass – Samaria Gorge, Crete
Entrance to the Harbour - Chania, Crete
Entrance to the Harbour – Chania, Crete
Bow Fiddle rock - Moray Coast Scotland
Bow Fiddle rock – Moray Coast Scotland
The Money Tree - Lake District UK
The Money Tree – Lake District UK
Oh I do love to be beside the seaside - Wales
Oh I do love to be beside the seaside – Wales
Training the hounds - Galway Ireland
Training the hounds – Galway Ireland
Studying the fine print - Versailles
Studying the fine print – Versailles
It must be Paris
It must be Paris
Boys at the beach, Hahei, NZ
Boys at the beach, Hahei, NZ
A photogenic horse East Coast, NZ
A photogenic horse East Coast, NZ
High flying kite surfer as Cyclone approaches. Orewa NZ
High flying kite surfer as Cyclone approaches. Orewa NZ
Fun in the bath
Fun in the bath
Old boatshed Rangitoto
Old boatshed Rangitoto
Hello waves - Matauri Bay
Hello waves – Matauri Bay
Montepulciano Italy
Montepulciano Italy
It must be Venice
It must be Venice
Night shot in Paris
Night shot in Paris
Autumn in Melbourne
Autumn in Melbourne
three generations
three generations
Sunset over Agnes - Coromandel
Sunset over Agnes – Coromandel
A boy and his dog
A boy and his dog
Spirits Bay NZ
Spirits Bay NZ
Dolphin lazing around - Kawau Island NZ
Dolphin lazing around – Kawau Island NZ
Heading to the Barrier
Heading to the Barrier
The launch we owned (Agnes) at Kawau Island
The launch we owned (Agnes) at Kawau Island
Sunflowers in the garden
Sunflowers in the garden

Search for specific detours

About Detours

When we reached 50 we decided it was time to put some adventure back into our lives befor the body told us that it was too late.

We don’t care about ‘box ticking’ but  travelling at a slower pace that lets us really experience the areas  that we happen to be visiting.

We started out by purchasing a launch in 2006 which allowed us to cruise to places we only dreamt about. We had no previous boating experience. Getting around many of the remote places we visited led us into hiking and our adventures started to grow in scale until we were biking and hiking in other countries.

It is soft adventure but anyone who has a basic level of fitness can do what we do.

We hope the blog may inspire others to travel in a similar way.

Cliff & Ruth Mail

Blog Topics

  • Bikes (42)
  • Boat (18)
  • Boots (57)
  • Bush (7)
  • By country (117)
    • Australia (5)
    • Belgium (4)
    • Cambodia (6)
    • England (12)
    • France (11)
    • Germany (4)
    • Greece (7)
    • Ireland (5)
    • Italy (2)
    • Netherlands (5)
    • New Zealand (74)
    • Scotland (5)
    • Singapore (1)
    • Switzerland (3)
    • Thailand (2)
    • Turkey (4)
    • Untied States (3)
    • Vietnam (8)
    • Wales (1)
  • Cook Islands (4)
  • Environment (10)
  • Laos (1)
  • photography (6)
  • Places (13)
  • Travel notes (25)
Bikes, New Zealand

Finishing the trail

Like the building of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail, my efforts at riding it in it’s entirety has taken a … Continue reading Finishing the trail

Is this the trains and toilet trail?
Bikes, New Zealand, photography

Is this the trains and toilet trail?

A pleasant 23km bike ride from Opua to Kawakawa and back – this is a very easy section of the Twin Coast trail in Northland. Continue reading Is this the trains and toilet trail?

Farewell to winter
Bush, Environment, New Zealand

Farewell to winter

We don’t exactly have long winters here in the North of New Zealand but even a few months can seem … Continue reading Farewell to winter

Cycling to Horeke – a great ride!
Bikes, New Zealand

Cycling to Horeke – a great ride!

Over winter I have been trying to get out for a bike ride each week but confess that the thought … Continue reading Cycling to Horeke – a great ride!

Travel & the carbon dilemma
Environment, Travel notes

Travel & the carbon dilemma

I do a little work for a local group whose objective is to improve or at least maintain the liveability … Continue reading Travel & the carbon dilemma

Seven years of cycling
Belgium, Bikes, Cambodia, Cook Islands, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Untied States, Vietnam

Seven years of cycling

Staring 60 in the face we decided to get back on the bicycles and found it to be a great way to experience a country. Continue reading Seven years of cycling

Our digital adventure – Part 3
New Zealand, photography

Our digital adventure – Part 3

The FX 10 surrenders and is replaced by an FX 30, the Sony Alpha keeps going and a GoPro is acquired at my retirement. Continue reading Our digital adventure – Part 3

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On our bikes

Loo art - Twin Coast
Loo art – Twin Coast
Heading towards Opua
Heading towards Opua
The long boardwalk to Horeke (and the pub)
The long boardwalk to Horeke (and the pub)
Unique bike stand
Unique bike stand
We rode along enbankments, through rice paddies, bush, along dusty roads
We rode along enbankments, through rice paddies, bush, along dusty roads
Cycling Angkor Wat
Cycling Angkor Wat
Getting back on a bike again - Otago Rail Trail
Getting back on a bike again – Otago Rail Trail
Thu Bon Delta ( Vietnam): We used multiple forms of transport to cross to the many islands in the delta. We cycled across bamboo bridges, through rice paddies and small villages. A great ride
Thu Bon Delta ( Vietnam): We used multiple forms of transport to cross to the many islands in the delta. We cycled across bamboo bridges, through rice paddies and small villages. A great ride
A paddle boarder breaks the reflection - Lake Hayes, NZ
A paddle boarder breaks the reflection – Lake Hayes, NZ
Cycling along in Holland - Captured on the GoPro
Cycling along in Holland – Captured on the GoPro
Cycling Burgundy
Cycling Burgundy
Cycling Burgundy
Cycling Burgundy
Roxburgh Gorge
Roxburgh Gorge
Roxburgh Gorge
Roxburgh Gorge
Riding to Gibbston Valley Queenstown
Riding to Gibbston Valley Queenstown
With the family
With the family
A cycle to Granity
A cycle to Granity
We biked both along the moats at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the latter is 12km. At least we were not the poor souls who had to dig them by hand.
We biked both along the moats at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the latter is 12km. At least we were not the poor souls who had to dig them by hand.
One of the better "red roads" we biked along, it was far too dangerous to attempt to photograph the others while under way.
One of the better “red roads” we biked along, it was far too dangerous to attempt to photograph the others while under way.
A more creative "statue" in Edinburgh
A more creative “statue” in Edinburgh
The muttering from further diwn the hill suggested that I was not her favourite person at that moment.
The muttering from further diwn the hill suggested that I was not her favourite person at that moment.
One of the many cycle paths in The Netherlands
One of the many cycle paths in The Netherlands
A man and his bike contemplating the next ride
A man and his bike contemplating the next ride
I would never be able to finf my bike
I would never be able to finf my bike
I had joked about the bridge being hidden in the fog, well not quite.
I had joked about the bridge being hidden in the fog, well not quite.
End of the road - Hawkes Bay trails
End of the road – Hawkes Bay trails
Another Chateau - Burgundy France
Another Chateau – Burgundy France
Ruth resting her dead legs on the Saar loop
Ruth resting her dead legs on the Saar loop
A nice long flat section across the Maniatoto Basin
A nice long flat section across the Maniatoto Basin

In the boots

Walking the Cotswolds, UK
Walking the Cotswolds, UK
Rural Devon
Rural Devon
Chinque Terre - the climb from Manarola
Chinque Terre – the climb from Manarola
Coming off Mt Tongariro
Coming off Mt Tongariro
The crossing - looking back to Mt Tongariro
The crossing – looking back to Mt Tongariro
Good sensible mountain attire
Good sensible mountain attire
Kepler track Fiordland
Kepler track Fiordland
South Western Fiordland
South Western Fiordland
Key Summit - Routeburn track
Key Summit – Routeburn track
DSCF0235
dscf9508
fullsizeoutput_51d2
Wandering the Port Hills - Canterbury
Wandering the Port Hills – Canterbury
Mt Taranaki wandering
Mt Taranaki wandering
More wandering around Taranaki
More wandering around Taranaki
The mountain obliged by showing itself
The mountain obliged by showing itself
Exploring the Mokau River inland from Mokau
Exploring the Mokau River inland from Mokau
Te Paki track near Cape Rienga
Te Paki track near Cape Rienga
Te Paki track east of Cape Rienga
Te Paki track east of Cape Rienga
Abel Tasman track
Abel Tasman track
River crossing near Awaroa on Abel Tasman track
River crossing near Awaroa on Abel Tasman track
Abel Tasman track
Abel Tasman track
Queen Charlotte Track
Queen Charlotte Track
Strolling across a farm on the Cotswold Way
Strolling across a farm on the Cotswold Way
The Priest who kindly offered us biscuits and Raki on our trip down the gorge. He put his hat on for the photo.
The Priest who kindly offered us biscuits and Raki on our trip down the gorge. He put his hat on for the photo.
Rutth opts for the track rather than giving a demo of her skills at scaling rock faces.
Rutth opts for the track rather than giving a demo of her skills at scaling rock faces.
The sun was just catching the tops of the White Mountains (Lefka Ora) when we arrived in Omalos for the begining of our walk.
The sun was just catching the tops of the White Mountains (Lefka Ora) when we arrived in Omalos for the begining of our walk.
While the wind blew at near gale force while on Skye this was a rare moment where it was not accompanied with cold rain
While the wind blew at near gale force while on Skye this was a rare moment where it was not accompanied with cold rain
Ruth got plenty of practice at jumping between wet rocks at Glen Brittle at the base of the Cuillin mountains on Skye
Ruth got plenty of practice at jumping between wet rocks at Glen Brittle at the base of the Cuillin mountains on Skye
Walking the Dunloe Gap in Killarney Ireland
Walking the Dunloe Gap in Killarney Ireland
The final descent to Bath (well so we thought)
The final descent to Bath (well so we thought)
A folly built for the owls to nest in, their natural habitat steadily reducing.
A folly built for the owls to nest in, their natural habitat steadily reducing.
Some forced smiles to show how much fun it can be in the rain.
Some forced smiles to show how much fun it can be in the rain.
One of the many sections through woods on the Cotswold Way
One of the many sections through woods on the Cotswold Way
Hiking on Great Barrier Island NZ
WTF the track has got lost
Some magnificent beech forest on the early part of the track
Some magnificent beech forest on the early part of the track
Spirits Bay Northland New zealand
The sand was beautiful to look at be hell to walk on.

Favourite Pics

Lavender in Taranaki, NZ
Lavender in Taranaki, NZ
A rare action shot - An endangered Hectors dolphin surfing - Curio Bay, NZ
A rare action shot – An endangered Hectors dolphin surfing – Curio Bay, NZ
Sea froth, Granity, NZ
Sea froth, Granity, NZ
I don't usually get up early enough to capture the shots - Fiordland, NZ
I don’t usually get up early enough to capture the shots – Fiordland, NZ
A fern in the back yard
A fern in the back yard
Going tropo - Rarotonga
Going tropo – Rarotonga
Another GoPro shot
Another GoPro shot
Hello World - Matauri Bay, NZ
Hello World – Matauri Bay, NZ
Angkor Wat - Ruth captured shot on iPhone
Angkor Wat – Ruth captured shot on iPhone
Those smiling faces, Angkor Wat
Those smiling faces, Angkor Wat
Motorcycle mayhem, Hanoi
Motorcycle mayhem, Hanoi
The Cat Man near our lodgings in Istanbul
The Cat Man near our lodgings in Istanbul
Graffiti, Islanbul
Graffiti, Islanbul
Eye candy at our lodgings - Bodrum, Turkey
Eye candy at our lodgings – Bodrum, Turkey
Storm clouds over Santorini
Storm clouds over Santorini
You never know what you will pass - Samaria Gorge, Crete
You never know what you will pass – Samaria Gorge, Crete
Entrance to the Harbour - Chania, Crete
Entrance to the Harbour – Chania, Crete
Bow Fiddle rock - Moray Coast Scotland
Bow Fiddle rock – Moray Coast Scotland
The Money Tree - Lake District UK
The Money Tree – Lake District UK
Oh I do love to be beside the seaside - Wales
Oh I do love to be beside the seaside – Wales
Training the hounds - Galway Ireland
Training the hounds – Galway Ireland
Studying the fine print - Versailles
Studying the fine print – Versailles
It must be Paris
It must be Paris
Boys at the beach, Hahei, NZ
Boys at the beach, Hahei, NZ
A photogenic horse East Coast, NZ
A photogenic horse East Coast, NZ
High flying kite surfer as Cyclone approaches. Orewa NZ
High flying kite surfer as Cyclone approaches. Orewa NZ
Fun in the bath
Fun in the bath
Old boatshed Rangitoto
Old boatshed Rangitoto
Hello waves - Matauri Bay
Hello waves – Matauri Bay
Montepulciano Italy
Montepulciano Italy
It must be Venice
It must be Venice
Night shot in Paris
Night shot in Paris
Autumn in Melbourne
Autumn in Melbourne
three generations
three generations
Sunset over Agnes - Coromandel
Sunset over Agnes – Coromandel
A boy and his dog
A boy and his dog
Spirits Bay NZ
Spirits Bay NZ
Dolphin lazing around - Kawau Island NZ
Dolphin lazing around – Kawau Island NZ
Heading to the Barrier
Heading to the Barrier
The launch we owned (Agnes) at Kawau Island
The launch we owned (Agnes) at Kawau Island
Sunflowers in the garden
Sunflowers in the garden

Search for specific detours

About Detours

When we reached 50 we decided it was time to put some adventure back into our lives befor the body told us that it was too late.

We don’t care about ‘box ticking’ but  travelling at a slower pace that lets us really experience the areas  that we happen to be visiting.

We started out by purchasing a launch in 2006 which allowed us to cruise to places we only dreamt about. We had no previous boating experience. Getting around many of the remote places we visited led us into hiking and our adventures started to grow in scale until we were biking and hiking in other countries.

It is soft adventure but anyone who has a basic level of fitness can do what we do.

We hope the blog may inspire others to travel in a similar way.

Cliff & Ruth Mail

Blog Topics

  • Bikes (42)
  • Boat (18)
  • Boots (57)
  • Bush (7)
  • By country (117)
    • Australia (5)
    • Belgium (4)
    • Cambodia (6)
    • England (12)
    • France (11)
    • Germany (4)
    • Greece (7)
    • Ireland (5)
    • Italy (2)
    • Netherlands (5)
    • New Zealand (74)
    • Scotland (5)
    • Singapore (1)
    • Switzerland (3)
    • Thailand (2)
    • Turkey (4)
    • Untied States (3)
    • Vietnam (8)
    • Wales (1)
  • Cook Islands (4)
  • Environment (10)
  • Laos (1)
  • photography (6)
  • Places (13)
  • Travel notes (25)
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