We’re Tiki Touring

CHRISTCHURCH. 16 NOVEMBER 2024.

The race director is from Manchester and a City supporter. The course is a trail one and has a cheeky hill at halfway. Afterward, a woman originally from Huddersfield came over to talk to Paul. She asks if we’re Tiki Touring. Obviously, he needs some explanation. It’s a NZ term for getting to a destination the long way round. A tiki is the Māori statue, and the term stems from an enterprising tour guide who sold tours to different statues to foreigners.

The Beach Bay cafe is the venue for post run coffee. We share a hot sausage roll which is delicious.

After a shower, we drive to Akaroa. The views are stunning as we drop down into the bay. It’s cold and windy so, disappointingly, there are no boats putting out on trips. So we settle for coffee and cake in the Crater Cafe.

On the way back, we attend mass at St Gregory’s church. Interestingly, the Prime Minister apologised for historical abuse in children’s homes run by the state and the church. So, there was a letter from the local bishops reiterating the message. Something, the bishops of England and Wales have continually avoided.