June 2014, Issue 121                                                                       
  
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Welcome to the latest issue of Tuatara Tours' monthly newsletter, where we offer a brief summary of what's going on in New Zealand - and what's coming up.

The Mesopotamia High Country Walk

Come and experience what the pioneers of our famous high country found so alluring

The Mesopotamia High Country Walk is an awe-inspiring, four day fully guided walking tour, which includes the Mesopotamia High Country Station and the spectacular Peel Forest Scenic Reserve in the South Island of New Zealand. You will experience soaring landscapes, snow capped mountain ranges and wide open tussock covered tundras.

 

High country stations have a unique part in the history of New Zealand and early pioneering characters have been immortalised in print in numerous books covering this era.

 
"Very relaxing, beautiful scenery-really away from it all. Excellent guide and hostess. Felt like a longer holiday"
 

Mandy and Rob, Auckland , February 2013

 

"A great trip for anyone with a good fitness level who wants to get out in the high country for a good look, hear the history, see the geology, botany and enjoy being with like-minded folk. I was sorry when it was over-thank you Tuatara Tours for organising it"

 

Jill, Whangarei, March 2013

 
 

For more information on this tour please call 

NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633

or email: info@tuataratours.co.nz

 

Nicky is also available during office hours for "live web chat", click the red box at the bottom of any page on our website to get Nicky's instant response to your questions. 

 

Sirocco - The Kakapo

  

This charismatic kakapo is not only a national treasure, a living legend and a rockstar, but he's also New Zealand's official Spokesbird for conservation.

  

   

  

  

 

  

 

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Tuatara Tours is a major concessionaire to the Department of Conservation and contributes to the funding of conservation.

 From The Mountains To The Sea - We Go All The Way

  

  

Ensure you ride the whole trail - ride with Tuatara Tours

 

Explore the new Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, which makes some of the South Island's most dramatic scenery accessible to cyclists. There's nearly 300 km of cycling from the tussocky alpine Mackenzie Country with its turquoise lakes, through rural towns to the Pacific Ocean at historic Oamaru.

  

Your fully guided tour starts and ends in the South Island's largest city: Christchurch, with all accommodation, meals, and support vehicles provided.

  

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail was created as part of a government-led initiative: Nga Harenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trail, developing New Zealand's best cycle tracks. Tuatara Tours is an official partner of The New Zealand Cycle Trail.

 

 

 

 

For more information on this or other tours please call 

NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633

or email:info@tuataratours.co.nz

 

Nicky is also available during office hours for "live web chat", click the red box

at the bottom of any page on our website to get Nicky's instant response to your questions. 

 

Fitting Your Pack Correctly

 

First, loosen all of the pack's straps and hip belt. Start by putting about 5 to 10 kilos of weight into the pack to simulate a loaded pack. 

 

Step 1: Hip belt

  • Put the pack on your back so that the hip belt is resting over your hip bones.
  • Close the hip belt buckle and tighten it.
  • Check the padded sections of the hip belt to make sure they wrap around your hips comfortably. Keep at least 2 to 3 cm of clearance on either side of the centre buckle.
  • If the hip belt is too loose or tight, try repositioning the hip belt buckle. If this doesn't solve the problem, you may need a different pack (or hip belt).

Step 2: Shoulder Straps

  • Pull down and back on the ends of the shoulder straps to tighten them.
  • Shoulder straps should fit closely to hold the pack body against your back and thus keeping the load forward. They should NOT be carrying the weight.
  • Make sure the shoulder strap anchor points are 3 to 5 cm below the top of your shoulders.

Step 3: Load Lifters

  • Load-lifter straps are located just below the tops of your shoulders (near your collarbones) and should angle back toward the pack body at a 45� angle.
  • Gently snug the load-lifter straps to pull weight off your shoulders. (Over tightening the load lifters will cause a gap to form between your shoulders and the shoulder straps.)

Step 4: Sternum Strap

  • Adjust the sternum strap as needed to a comfortable height across your chest.
  • Buckle the sternum strap and tighten until the shoulder straps are pulled inwards comfortably from your shoulders, allowing your arms to move freely.
  • Pull the stabiliser straps located on either side of the hip belt to snug the pack body toward the hip belt and stabilise the load.

Final Tweaks

Go back to the shoulder straps and carefully take a bit of tension off them. This ensures the majority of the weight is carried by your hips.  

 

Now you're ready to go!

Mistletoe Bay Trust named Supreme Winner at Trustpower National Community Awards

 

 

Mistletoe Bay Trust was named Supreme Winner at this year's Trustpower National Community Awards for its Mistletoe Bay Eco Village and Campground in the Marlborough Sounds.

 

Mistletoe Bay Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organisation formed in 2003 when DOC was looking at options for the ongoing management of Mistletoe Bay Reserve and 

Campground.

 

The volunteer organisation makes the most of its native bush 

setting to give visitors, particularly children a hands on experience of living sustainably, with energy-efficient cabins, recycling, water collection and on-site sewage treatment.

 

At the National Community Awards, each organisation gives an eight minute presentation on their group or activity along with a 1,000 word summary.

 

The groups are judged by their peers, with peer judging making up 50% of the final score and the other 50% coming from an independent judging panel.

 

The efforts of the Trust over the last 10 years were judged as "outstanding", "inspirational", "mind blowing", "a model of sustainability and environmental education to be duplicated around the country".

 

Mistletoe Bay is located on the final day of the Queen Charlotte Walk in the idyllic Marlborough Sounds.

 

Come and join us on a four day lodge to lodge walking experience in this truly tranquil setting on the Queen Charlotte Walk.

 

For more information on the Queen Charlotte walk or other tours please call 

NZ: 0800 377 378 or Australia: 1800 044 633

or email:info@tuataratours.co.nz

  

Nicky is also available during office hours for "live web chat", click the red box at the bottom of any page on our website to get Nicky's instant response to your questions. 

 

Flat Tyre on Your Bike: How to Fix It!

  

Step 1: Remove the Wheel

  • It's much easier to fix a flat if you first remove the wheel from your bike. 
  • Release Your Brakes. Most brake assemblies sit very close to your wheel rims and use a quick-release system to disconnect and reconnect them. The exact location and design of these release systems will depend on your style of brakes.
  • Front wheel: To remove a front wheel, simply open the quick-release lever and unscrew the securing nut slightly on the opposite side as needed to release the tension holding the wheel in place.
  • Rear wheel: Removing the rear wheel is almost as easy as removing the front wheel, but the chain presents an added complication. Before removing your rear wheel, shift your chain onto the smallest rear cog. Turn the bike upside down, then turn the rear axle quick-release lever until it's fully open. Pull back on your rear derailleur to give yourself some slack, then lift out the wheel with your other hand.

Step 2: Check for Damage

  • First, release all of the remaining air from your flat tyre. Next, unseat your tyre bead using the following procedure:
  • Using tyre levers, start on the section of your tyre opposite the valve (to avoid damage to the valve stem). Use the longer end of one tyre levers to pry the bead of the tyre up and over the edge of the rim.
  • Once a section of the tyre bead is free, you should be able to unseat the rest of the bead with your fingers. Remove the inflatable tube from beneath the tyre by pulling the valve stem out through the rim first.

Finding the Cause of Your Flat Tyre

  • Tube damage can be difficult to spot. If you don't see any obvious punctures or blowouts, try inflating the tube so you can check for escaping air. To find very small leaks, pass the tube close to your eye or submerge it in water and look for bubbles.
  • If you can't find any tube damage, check the valve. 

Step 3: Repair/Replace the Tube

  • If your tyre has sustained little or no permanent damage (as is often the case), your decision will be whether to repair your tube or replace it.

Step 4: Reinstall the Wheel

  • Simply reverse the procedure you used to remove it. 
  • Finally, flip the bike right-side-up. Be sure to reattach your brakes before riding!

Be Prepared

  1. Carry a spare tube: Just make sure you have the right size. 
  2. Carry a patch kit: This is a compact and economical alternative to a new tube. The downsides? They are more hassle and offer a somewhat less durable solution.
  3. Carry tyre levers: These easily fit into even a small under seat bike bag.
  4. Carry a pump: Some flats can be avoided by simply riding on tyres that are properly inflated. Check your air pressure before every ride.

You Know You are Addicted To The Internet

When...

  1. The first thing you do in the morning is turn on the computer
  2. You won't go on holiday to anywhere that doesn't have internet, power or phone lines
  3. You are still on the computer at 2am from 2pm the day before
  4. You check your email. It says "no new messages." So you check it again
  5. You wake up at 3 a.m. to go to the bathroom and stop and check your e-mail on the way back to bed.
  6. You know your online friends better than your real ones
  7. You don't have a diary, you have a blog
  8. You are surprised when you go to the library and can't find Wikipedia
  9. If a coffee shop doesn't have free wifi, you don't go there
  10. If your computer crashes, you go to bed because there's nothing else to do

Quote of the month

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If you are visiting our website and need some help or questions answered please use our Live Help Button and Nicky will chat with you.

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life.
 And that is why I succeed.
 
  
Michael Jordan 

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Up and Coming Events Around New Zealand

 

June 2014  

July 2014  

August 2014 

Christchurch Airport Marathon,

Sun 1 Jun, Christchurch International Airport, Christchurch City

 

Feilding Saleyards Tours, 

Fri 6 Jun , Feilding Saleyards, Feilding

 

Winter Showhunter Series, Sun 15 Jun, Tielcey Park Equestrian Centre, Palmerston North

 

Antique & Collectables Fair, Sun 22 Jun, Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, Auckland

 

Science Roadshow, Mon 30 Jun, St Dominic's Catholic College, Auckland

 

 

The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera, Tue 1 July, The PumpHouse Theatre, Auckland

 

Children's Discovery Trail, Fri 4 July, Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton

 

Cat vs. Dog, Sat 12 July, Fortune Theatre, Dunedin

 

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Thu 17 July, NBS Theatre, Westport

 

Bee Gees Tribute Show, Sun 20 July, Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club, Upper Hutt

 

NZSO 2014: Shakespeare in Music, Wed 30 July, Air Force Museum, Christchurch

Dairy Flat Blues Club Presents "Los Diablos", Fri 1 Aug, 

Dairy Flat Community Hall, Auckland

 

Devilskin We Rise NZ Tour, Sat 9 Aug, The Mayfair, New Plymouth

 

Jam Night, Thu 14 Aug, 

Plimmmerton Boating Club, Porirua - Mana

 

Abbey Road NZ Beatles Tribute Show, Sat 23 Aug

Hornby Workingmen's Club, Christchurch City

  

European Romance, Tue 26 Aug, Regent Theatre, Greymouth

  

Mark Hobson and Friends, Sat 30 Aug, Nut Point Centre, West Melton

Safe Travelling
Tuatara Tours | info@tuataratours.co.nz | www.tuataratours.co.nz
Level 1, 35 Mandeville Street
Riccarton
PO Box 13544
Christchurch, 8141
New Zealand

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