Author Archives: dipidydoo
Easter Day 1 – Putting on the Training Wheels
It was my first foray into the forest for at least 6 months, and my first Easter competition for 2 years. So it was with a little trepidation that I headed to the start, feeling very much like I needed my training wheels on. I was one of the last starters, and it was blazingly […]
Bound for South Australia (Again)
Once again, most of the Dipidydoo crew are back on the road; no planes this time, as we’re just across the border in South Australia. We left Captain K at home so he could keep an eye on Ian (though there seems to be some partying going on amongst my bear collection, and the Captain […]
Sprint Finish
After 10 orienteering events in 12 days, the fun had to end. We finished in style, with a final sprint race around the Auckland harbour precinct, known as Wynyard Quarter. On a perfect day it was very picturesque, with the city skyline, Sky Tower, boats of all sizes, and the Wynyard Viaduct opening bridge, making […]
Out and About in Auckland
Yesterday’s second race was at Auckland Girls Grammar School, in the very hilly Ponsonby area. The arena was in a lovely grassy park with gorgeous spreading trees; the one whose shade we sat in must have been ancient, judging by its size. As I had another late start, I had plenty of time to spectate, […]
Auckland Triple Crown Race 1
There was plenty of overnight and morning rain as we farewelled Karangahake, and headed to Auckland. Pam and Peter were already in the new lodgings in the southeast suburbs, and we were soon settled in. My room has a workspace, and a walk in wardrobe, so I’m happy. We whiled away the morning and early […]
The Sticky-Outy Bit
After our morning exploring the Karangahake Gorge, we retreated to the house, to plan our tour of the Coromandel Peninsula – aka “the sticky-outy bit” of the North Island, east of Auckland. But first, we had more orienteering to do. Hobbsy invited us to a local Maprun event organised by his club, in Hamilton. It […]
Indiana Jones and the Tunnel of Doom – A How-To Guide
Just across the road, there is a river. Across the river, there is a bridge. Across the bridge, there is another bridge. Step onto that bridge if you dare, and enter a world of adventure … Admire the ancient Iron Age relics, including a strange rusted Relay Map Graveyard, perched above the river and positioned […]
The Park After Dark
After dinner, we headed back into Pukekura Park, in search of glow worms. It was still light when we arrived, so we took a leisurely stroll around the flatter parts beside the lake, reminiscing fondly about which way we went to which controls (it was all of a day and a half ago). At a […]
Lonely Mountain Sprints Day 3
The Taranaki-based competition concluded with a Sprint Relay, held at Pukeiti Botanical Gardens. The organisers of this weekend have done a great job finding unusual venues for us. Although we had to keep out of the formal gardens and other vegetated areas, there were plenty of paths and trails; they also used a lizard sculpture, […]
Lonely Mountain Sprints Day 2
Well the rain reappeared with a vengeance, but fortunately it held off during our morning race. While yesterday’s events were both at local schools, today’s venues offered something different. Pukekura Park is something of a showpiece garden, with ornamental lakes and fountains, waterfalls, bridges, fern gullies, and lots of paths leading in all directions. The […]
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