Placeholder Content Image

World’s longest treasure hunt ends as Golden Owl finally unearthed in France

<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">After more than three decades of mystery and intrigue, the world’s longest-running treasure hunt has come to a thrilling conclusion with the discovery of the elusive Golden Owl. Valued at approximately $240,000, the treasure had captivated the imaginations of thousands since it was first buried in France in the early 1990s.</span></p> <p>The hunt began with the publication of the now-famous book, <em>On the Trail of the Golden Owl</em>, written by communications expert Régis Hauser under the pseudonym “Max Valentin” and illustrated by artist Michel Becker. The 1993 book challenged readers to solve a series of intricate riddles and clues, which, when deciphered, would reveal the owl’s secret location.</p> <p>Despite years of painstaking attempts to crack the mystery, the Golden Owl remained hidden for decades, surviving even its creator. Hauser passed away in 2009, leaving the prize still buried. Michel Becker, who took over the management of the hunt, delivered the long-awaited news on October 3 via an online announcement that sparked a frenzy among treasure hunters: “A potential winning solution is currently being verified.”</p> <p>Two hours later, he confirmed: “Don’t go digging! We confirm that the Golden Owl countermark was unearthed last night.”</p> <p>The treasure hunt’s <a href="https://goldenowlhunt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official website was also updated with the announcement</a>, bringing an end to a search that has been both thrilling and, for some, overwhelming.</p> <p><strong>The obsession and madness behind the search</strong></p> <p>For over 30 years, the Golden Owl hunt transcended being just a hobby for many treasure hunters and became an all-consuming obsession. While some enjoyed it as a leisurely pursuit, others were driven to extreme lengths – financially, emotionally and mentally. The search for the owl has been linked to personal crises, including financial ruin and broken marriages. At least one individual reportedly ended up in an asylum due to their fixation on solving the hunt’s riddles.</p> <p>The toll wasn’t limited to individuals. Searchers caused considerable disruption across France, digging unauthorised holes in public and private lands. In one eastern French village, the local mayor was forced to plead with hunters to stop digging around its chapel, while in other cases, searchers brought power tools to banks and even considered destroying structures in the hopes of unearthing the treasure.</p> <p><strong>The Golden Owl’s elusive clues</strong></p> <p><em>On the Trail of the Golden Owl</em> contained a complex series of 11 riddles, each paired with a painting by Becker. The riddles, combined with maps, colours and hidden details, challenged readers to work out the owl’s hidden location.</p> <p>Before his death, Hauser revealed three crucial elements to solving the puzzle:</p> <p>The use of maps: Hunters needed to work with maps to narrow down the search area and use a specific map to pinpoint the final zone.</p> <p>A “mega trick”: This was the key to using the sequence of riddles to locate the final area where the owl was hidden.</p> <p>A final hidden riddle: Once in the final zone, hunters had to uncover one last riddle to lead them to the exact spot of the treasure.</p> <p><strong>Joyous celebration among treasure hunters</strong></p> <p>The treasure-hunting community was overjoyed when the news broke, with many expressing their disbelief and excitement. “Finally – liberated!” exclaimed one fan on the hunt’s Discord forum. Another added, “I didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”</p> <p>As of now, the exact location of the owl’s discovery and the identity of the finder remain undisclosed. However, Becker hinted at the complexity involved in concluding this monumental hunt. “Tons of emotions to manage for all those who are responsible for managing the end of this episode and complex logistics to put in place,” he said in a statement on October 6.</p> <p>For now, the Golden Owl, a treasure that has held a generation of sleuths in its grasp, has been unearthed. Yet, the fascination with its story will undoubtedly linger for years to come.</p> <p><em>Images/Illustrations: Michel Becker</em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Take an art-filled tour of Auckland from anywhere in the world

<p dir="ltr">There’s a new way to explore Auckland that combines public art and marine conservation - and you don’t even have to be in the country to experience it.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9bc5803e-7fff-c053-b0e9-9ed71fd560de">The <a href="https://whaletales2022.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Whale Tales</a> project, launched by WWF-New Zealand, consists of 80 Brig Broos (large) and 80 Pēpi (mini) whale tail sculptures located throughout Auckland’s public spaces which can be explored in-person and via a virtual trail.</span></p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaydQJQlp-x/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaydQJQlp-x/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by WWF Whale Tales 2022 (@whaletales2022)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Each sculpture has been designed by artists from across New Zealand and comes with a story, accessed via the Whale Tales app, about the artist and what each artwork represents.</p> <p dir="ltr">The trail stretches from Pukekohe across to the Great Barrier and Waiheke Islands.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-687994df-7fff-e16f-29ec-cee433a51603">It was conceptualised to “capture the hearts of kiwis, near and far,” and catalyse “positive action to protect Bryde’s whales and restore our ocean’s health”, according to a <a href="https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2202/S00427/wwf-whale-tales-goes-global-with-a-one-of-a-kind-virtual-trail.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement </a>from WWF-NZ.</span></p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZycvJyJTNd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZycvJyJTNd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kate Hursthouse | NZ Artist (@katehursthouse)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">WWF-NZ chief executive Livia Esterhazy said Bryde’s whales are vulnerable to plastic pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, climate change, and other human activities.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Bryde’s whales are an indicator of ocean health. If our whale populations are healthy and thriving, it is a sign our ocean is also healthy and thriving,” Ms Esterhazy <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/300500961/whale-tales-auckland-art-project-sheds-light-on-plight-of-brydes-whales" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The tales will be on display for 12 weeks, during which time there will also be light shows on the harbour bridge, seminars, and the launch of Hauraki Broo, a children’s book about the importance of conserving marine life.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the end of the display, the Big Broos sculptures will then be auctioned off to raise funds for WWF-NZ, while the Pēpi sculptures will be returned to the schools that made them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So not only can you own an incredible piece of art, but the funds raised will go to support WWF’s vital work to protect our ocean and marine species, like the Hauraki Gulf’s national critically-endangered resident Bryde’s whale,” Ms Esterhazy said.</p> <p dir="ltr">To view the virtual tour, head <a href="http://trail.whaletales2022.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-179b23e3-7fff-09ab-7300-07d901b945a0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @whaletales2022 (Instagram)</em></p>

Domestic Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Invasive species may travel trade routes

<div> <div class="copy"> <p>Invasive species could increase their global presence via China’s developing trade routes, researchers warn.</p> <p>A new study models the distribution and likelihood of invasion of terrestrial vertebrate species along China’s Belt and Road Initiative (<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/regional-integration/brief/belt-and-road-initiative" target="_blank">BRI</a>), a massive infrastructure development project involving six proposed economic corridors and 121 countries.</p> <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The largest project of its kind ever attempted, the BRI has an estimated cost of an unprecedented US$4 trillion for road development, shipping routes and ports. </span></p> <p>A research team led by Yiming Li from the Chinese Academy of Sciences used species distribution modelling to assess the introduction risks for a suite of 816 known invasive terrestrial vertebrate species, as well as habitat suitability across the BRI regions.</p> <p>Habitat suitability is an indicator of the likelihood a species will become established after introduction.</p> <p>The findings, reported in a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(18)31670-1" target="_blank">paper</a> published in the journal Current Biology, reveal that more than two thirds of BRI countries have a lethal combination of introduction risk and high habitat suitability.</p> <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Of particular concern, we find that the majority of both introduction hotspots and areas with high habitat suitability fall along the six proposed Economic Corridors,” says Li.</span></p> <p>The team identified 14 “invasion hotspots” where biosecurity efforts might best be directed. They are located across the BRI countries, from the Caribbean Islands, northern Africa and Eastern Europe to Southeast Asia and New Zealand. Australia is not a member country or signatory to the scheme.</p> <p>One of the 816 <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/100_worst.php" target="_blank">species of concern</a> is the large North American bullfrog, (Lithobates catesbeianus or Rana catesbeiana), which is originally from east of the Rocky Mountains. It is a voracious predator of local frogs and other reptiles, and a carrier of chytrid fungus, which decimates local frog populations. The bullfrog is now established in over 40 countries, and very <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2004/09/news-bullfrogs-invading-nearly-unstoppable/" target="_blank">difficult to eradicate</a> once established.</p> <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The findings have prompted the researchers to urgently recommend “the initiation of a project targeting early prevention, strict surveillance, rapid response and effective control of alien species in BRI countries to ensure that this development is sustainable.” This proposed biosecurity plan and its implementation could be funded by the establishment of a dedicated fund, they suggest.</span></p> <p>In separate <a rel="noopener" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0452-8" target="_blank">correspondence</a> to the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, Alex Lechner from the University of Nottingham Malaysia and two colleagues suggest that as the 50-year BRI is still only five years old, there is an opportunity to incorporate biodiversity conservation as one of its core values.</p> <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">For example, they suggest, the Chinese government could plan and implement a network of protected areas and wildlife corridors across Eurasia, as well as preventing and/or controlling alien species invasion effectively. </span></p> <p>China has embraced renewable energy and technology enthusiastically, and could potentially be a world leader in biodiversity conservation, they write.</p> <em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></div> <div id="contributors"> <p><em>This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/sustainability/invasive-species-may-travel-chinas-new-trade-routes/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Tanya Loos.</em></p> </div> </div>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

“Records are made to be broken”: Oldest person tackles Appalachian Trail

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An 83-year-old has become the oldest person to finish the 3,500 km Appalachian Trail in the US.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">MJ “Sunny” Eberhart, also known as Nimblewill Nomad, is a seasoned hiker who has been tackling trails since he retired in 1993.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The former veteran said the trail was still quite tough despite his experience.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve got a couple of marks on me, but I’m OK,” he </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-09/appalachian-trail-record-broken-by-83-year-old-us-hiker/100604392" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You’ve got to have an incredible resolve to do this.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845450/hiking1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f2a405a3358043b3bc3e83775440472f" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: nimblewillnomad.com</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Eberhart took on the trail in reverse order so that he could take advantage of the weather, and completed his final section in western Massachusetts.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dale “Greybeard” Sanders, the former record holder, joined Mr Eberhart at the finish line.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said he wasn’t sad that his record had been overtaken.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My dear friend Nimblewill is taking my record away from me, and I’m happy for him. Records are made to be broken,” Mr Sanders said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Appalachian Trail has formed the bulk of his final trek, which he has named “Odyssey 2021 ‘Bama to Baxter - Hike On”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After finishing the 3,500-kilometre trail, Mr Eberhart has just 1.2 kilometres left of the Pinhoti Trail according to his </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://nimblewillnomad.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845451/hiking2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4d85088e61f347d4be4e2af7c0f3009f" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: nimblewillnomad.com</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though his first hike was motivated by a search for peace, he said he has eventually found it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You can seek peace. That doesn’t mean that you’re going to find it,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I persevered to the point that the good Lord looked down on me and said, ‘you’re forgiven, you can be at peace’.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s a profound blessing. It’s as simple as that.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though Mr Eberthart has said it will be his last hike, his friend Mr Norman said that wasn’t too likely.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I don’t think it’s going to be his last hike. I just don’t think he knows what he’s going to hike next,” Mr Norman said.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: nimblewillnomad.com</span></em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Insider trading has become more subtle

<p>Insider trading comes in two main forms: arguably legal and clearly illegal.</p> <p>But, as with drugs in sport, it’s hard to tell when arguably legal ends and clearly illegal begins.</p> <p>It is generally accepted that it is wrong to buy shares in the company you run when you know something about it that the market does not.</p> <p>It’s especially wrong to buy shares when you are telling the market that things are much worse for the company than you know them to be.</p> <p><strong>Join 130,000 people who subscribe to free evidence-based news.</strong></p> <p>Get newsletter</p> <p>But what about suddenly sharing everything – an avalanche of information – in the lead-up to a share purchase in order to muddy the waters and create enough uncertainty to lower the price?</p> <p>Chief executives have enormous discretion over the tone and timing of the news they release, generally answering to no one.</p> <p>A linguistic analysis of twelve years worth of news releases by 6764 US chief executives just published by myself and two University of Queensland colleagues in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378426620300881">Journal of Banking and Finance</a> suggests they are using this discretion strategically.</p> <p>Not clearly illegal (how can oversharing be illegal?) their behaviour can have the same effect as talking down their share price while buying, something that is clearly illegal.</p> <p><strong>Spreads matter, as well as signs</strong></p> <p>Earlier analyses of insider trading have looked at only the “sign” of the information released to to the share market. On balance was the tone of one month’s news releases positive or negative?</p> <p>We have looked at the “spread”, the range from positive to negative as well as the net result.</p> <p>It doesn’t make sense to treat as identical a month’s worth of releases which are all neutral tone in tone (sending no message) and a month’s worth of releases of which half are strongly positive and half are strongly negative (stoking uncertainty).</p> <p>Our sample of discretionary (non-required) news releases is drawn from those lodged with <a href="https://web.stevens.edu/hfslwiki/index.php?title=Thomson_Reuters_News_Analytics">Thomson Reuters News Analytics</a> between January 2003 to December 2015. It includes firms listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the AMEX American Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ technology-heavy exchange.</p> <p>The archive scores the tone of each release as positive, negative or neutral.</p> <p>We used the <a href="https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/press-releases/2014/thomson-reuters-starmine-model-predicts-us-stock-performance.html">Thomson Reuters Insiders Filing Database</a> to obtain information on chief executive buying, limiting our inquiries to significant purchases of at least 100 shares.</p> <p><strong>Strategic uncertainty</strong></p> <p>About 70% of the chief executives proved to be opportunistic traders in the sense that they bought with no particular pattern, rather than at the same time every year.</p> <p>We found that news releases by these chief executives increased information uncertainty by 5.8% and 3.6% in the months before they bought and in the month they bought.</p> <p>In the months following their purchases, the positive to negative spread of their news releases returned to the average for non-purchase months.</p> <p>The unmistakable conclusion is that their behaviour is strategic.</p> <p> We obtained similar results when we used other measures of buying and the tone of news releases.</p> <p>Our results provide no evidence to support the contention that chief executives behave in this strategic way when selling shares. This is consistent with other findings suggesting that the timing of sales is often out of the hands of the sellers.</p> <p><a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Insider%20trading%20and%20voluntary%20disclosures&amp;publication_year=2006&amp;author=Q.%20Cheng&amp;author=K.%20Lo">Previous studies</a> have found only <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Voluntary%20disclosures%20and%20insider%20transactions&amp;publication_year=1999&amp;author=C.F.%20Noe">weak links</a> between executive share purchases and the news they release to the market. This might be because those studies have looked for more easily detected (and more clearly problematic) negative news releases.</p> <p>But that’s an old and (with the advent of linguistic analysis) increasingly risky approach.</p> <p>Our research suggests that by saying many things at once chief executives can achieve much the same thing.</p> <p><em>Written by Barry Oliver. Republished with permission <a href="https://theconversation.com/insider-trading-has-become-more-subtle-142981">of The Conversation.</a> </em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Riding on the kangaroo’s back: Animal skin fashion, exports and ethical trade

<p>The Versace fashion house recently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/15/versace-bans-kangaroo-skin-after-pressure-from-animal-activists">announced</a> it had stopped using kangaroo skins in its fashion collections after coming under pressure from animal rights group <a href="https://www.lav.it/en">LAV</a>.</p> <p>Kangaroo meat and skin has an annual production <a href="http://www.kangarooindustry.com/industry/economic/">value</a> of around A$174 million, with skins used in the fashion and shoe manufacturing industries.</p> <p>There are legitimate questions regarding the ethical manner in which kangaroos are killed. But Indigenous people have long utilised the skins of kangaroos and possums. Versace’s concerns may have been allayed by understanding more about our traditions and practices.</p> <p><strong>Reviving skills</strong></p> <p>There has always been concern around how native animals are treated while alive and how they are killed to cause as little distress, pain and suffering as possible. Campaigners say <a href="https://www.lav.it/en/news/australia-versace-kangaroos">2.3 million</a> kangaroos in Australia are hunted each year. Official <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/wildlife-trade/natives/wild-harvest/kangaroo-wallaby-statistics/kangaroo-2000">sources</a> cite this figure as the national quota, but put the number actually killed at around 1.7 million.</p> <p>Australian Aboriginal people have for many thousands of years utilised native animals, predominantly kangaroos and possums. Consciously and sustainably, every part of the animal was used. The kangaroo meat was eaten, the skins used to make cloaks for wearing, teeth used to make needles, sinew from the tail used as thread.</p> <p>The cloaks were incised with designs on the skin side significant to the wearer representing their totems, status and kinship. Cloaks were made for babies and added to as the child grew into adulthood, and people were buried in their <a href="https://www.nationalquiltregister.org.au/aboriginal-skin-cloaks/">cloaks</a>when they died.</p> <p>Aboriginal women from New South Wales and Victoria have begun <a href="https://sydney.edu.au/museums/images/content/exhibitions-events/where-we-all-meet/djon-mundine-essay-sectioned.pdf">reviving</a> the tradition of kangaroo and possum skin cloak-making to pass down knowledge of this important practice to future generations. Interestingly, possum skins can only be purchased from New Zealand for these crafts. As an introduced species, they have wreaked havoc on NZ animal populations and the environment, but are a protected species in Australia.</p> <p><strong>Culls and trade</strong></p> <p>In Australia, kangaroos are not farmed but are harvested for meat and fur in the wild under a voluntary <a href="https://www.viva.org.uk/under-fire/cruelty-kangaroos">code of conduct</a>. The code is difficult to monitor and enforcement is <a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/thinkk_production/resources/29/Kangaroo_Court_Enforcement_of_the_law_governing_commercial_kangaroo_killing_.pdf">complicated</a> by federal and state sharing of responsibility. This code is currently under <a href="https://www.agrifutures.com.au/kangaroo-commercial-code-review/">review</a>.</p> <p>The export and import of wildlife is <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/wildlife-trade/natives">regulated</a> under Australia’s national environmental law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Act.</p> <p>In practice, kangaroos are shot in the wild by professional licensed shooters with an intended single shot to the head to kill them quickly.</p> <p>There are <a href="http://thinkkangaroos.uts.edu.au/issues/welfare-and-enforcement.html">concerns</a> over whether shooters should be trained better and whether nighttime shoots with poor visibility result in the killing of alpha males or mothers with joeys in their pouches.</p> <p>If mothers are accidentally shot, the code dictates the joey should be shot too. Sometimes the shot does not kill them instantly and they are then clubbed over the head. Traditionally, Aboriginal people speared kangaroos. This was unlikely to kill them instantly, so they were swiftly killed with a blow to the head by a <em>boondi</em>(wooden club).</p> <p><strong>Why kangaroo?</strong></p> <p>Kangaroo skin is extremely strong and more flexible than other leathers, including cow hide.</p> <p>It is routinely used in the production of soccer boots as they mould to the feet extremely well and don’t need to be worn in like harder leathers. This has led to an <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-07-12/kangaroo-skin-hits-fashion-capitals/1799602">increase</a> in the use of kangaroo.</p> <p>LAV <a href="https://www.lav.it/en/news/australian-fire-our-actions-to-save-animals">reports</a> Italy is the biggest importer of kangaroo leather in Europe, where it is used to produce soccer shoes and motorbike suits. They are <a href="https://www.lav.it/en/news/australian-fire-our-actions-to-save-animals">lobbying</a> brands Lotto and Dainese to stop using kangaroo, arguing that shooting animals is not sustainable given the estimated <a href="https://theconversation.com/bushfires-left-millions-of-animals-dead-we-should-use-them-not-just-bury-them-129787">1 billion</a> creatures killed in bushfires this season.</p> <p>In terms of environmental sustainability, kangaroos cause less damage to the environment than cattle. Cows contribute methane gas, their hard hooves destroy the earth, they eat the grass to a point that it does not regenerate. Kangaroos eat the grass leaving a small portion to re-flourish, they bounce across the land without causing damage to it, and don’t produce methane gases.</p> <p>The use of kangaroo skins in fashion can be done ethically if the code is reviewed in consultation with Aboriginal people and enforced properly. The industry has the <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/an/EA03248">potential</a> to produce and support sustainable business opportunities for Aboriginal communities.</p> <p>While celebrities are <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/wild-animals-and-habitats/fur/latest-news/kardashians-shamed-among-10-worst-celebrities-fur-animals/">shamed</a> for wearing fur fashion, this relates to the unregulated and inhumane treatment of coyotes, chinchillas, foxes, mink, rabbits, and other fur-bearing animals. In contrast, scientists <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/an/EA03248">consider</a> kangaroo harvest as “one of the few rural industry development options with potential to provide economic return with minimal environmental impact”.</p> <p><strong>Only natural</strong></p> <p>Versace, along with most fashion retailers across the high-end to ready-to-wear spectrum, use synthetic fibres in their fashion products. Such materials eventually <a href="https://theconversation.com/time-to-make-fast-fashion-a-problem-for-its-makers-not-charities-117977">cause more damage</a> to the environment than natural fibres and skins. They don’t biodegrade and many of these fibres end up in landfill, our oceans or in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749119348808">stomachs of fish</a>.</p> <p>Animal skins will always be used in fashion and other products because of the unique properties the skins bring to design and function.</p> <p>While the bushfires have killed millions of Australian native animals, kangaroo culls are managed to have limited impact on the population.</p> <p>We should focus our energy on saving Australian native animals that are <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-bushfires-could-drive-more-than-700-animal-species-to-extinction-check-the-numbers-for-yourself-129773">close to extinction</a> and lobbying for a stricter ethical code for shooters that can be legally enforced to ensure kangaroos are killed humanely.</p> <p><em>Written by Dr Fabri Blacklock. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/riding-on-the-kangaroos-back-animal-skin-fashion-exports-and-ethical-trade-130207">The Conversation.</a> </em></p>

Beauty & Style

Placeholder Content Image

Explore the southern spice trail of India

<p>The southern spice trail of India offers aromatic plants and scents – temples, history, fragrant curries, plenty of cows and the odd elephant. Bev Malzard explores.</p> <p>‘India is a land of contrasts.’ These are the words I read when I first heard about India in primary school. I missed the hippie trail through India in the late 70s and somehow it missed my ‘trip list’ for the next 30 years. It’s a long time since the 70s and I am no longer young and fearless – I don’t have the time to meander on a spiritual journey, nor can I laze around a beach for weeks.</p> <p>Playing it safe, but not too safe, I opted for a guided tour through the southern part of India, with companions from the UK – all aged from late 50s to 70s. These were tough, hardened travellers, who had been everywhere and adapted to India as soon as the first cow strolled in front of our coach and nearly sent us off the road. My kind of people.</p> <p>We were on the Cosmos Tours Kerala &amp; Spice Route trip. This extraordinary trip has left me with a montage of memories, all compartmentalised as it wasn’t a seamless 15 days; there were stops, starts and surprises along the way. For two days we drove through small towns and villages that were so crowded that I wondered how the human spirit could breathe, then open, brilliant green paddy fields appeared with workers dotted on the shivery landscape; a multi-storied steel and glass building branded with the IT neon success story flashed itself on the side of a highway, and beside it stood broken houses, businesses of broken dreams and rubbish piled high against the near and present future of India.</p> <p>Following are my memory chip postcards of India, and if my brain doesn’t go into the daily details of life here – all I see is colour.</p> <p><strong>Temples, temples, temples</strong><br />The southern spice trail in India offers more than arom<br />atic plants and scents – temples, history, fragrant curries, cows and more cows plus the odd elephant village. It is the site of the first British settlement in 1639. There are buildings here that smack of the British Raj; Portuguese churches; and more Hindu temples than you can poke an incense stick at.</p> <p>Temples and precious sites visited, with the amazing ancient carvings and script include: Mahabalipuram, UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing some of India’s finest rock art and architecture. See the Five Rathas, Sarjuna’s Penance and Shore temple; Kanchipuram, one of the 11 sacred sites of India; the Dakshinachitra heritage centre; the 16th century Church of Our Lady of Expectations; the basilica of San Thome and the gardens of the Theosophical Society, a vast campus of rambling pathways and countless trees.</p> <p>After a long day’s drive on highways to hell with roadside rubbish gobbling up all strips of nature and seeing crumbling half-finished buildings, we arrived in the immaculate seaside town of Pondicherry.</p> <p>Two thousand years ago the Romans traded on the shores; the Portuguese arrived in 1521 and by the 17th century the French had purchased the town, only relinquishing it in 1954. I wandered along one of the avenues with shade trees and neat houses, only to watch an elephant and its mahout cross the street in front of me – another day in the life of!</p> <p>As we made our way up to the Cardamom Hills we could see the exquisite beauty of the mountains and enjoy fragrant, clear air, redolent with the scents of spices and sweet breezes. A walk into the small town of Thekkady included lots of stops to look at boutiques selling saris, good fashion items, jewellery and some well-made souvenirs.</p> <p>From the foot of the beautiful Nilgiri Hills we began the steep and winding road looking down over the rolling plantations of tea. The entire town of Ooty was built by the British, and there’s a good legacy of guesthouses and hotels for the 21st century visitor.</p> <p>For fun take a ride on the Ooty ‘toy train’. This little wooden train runs most days but is subject to weather, elephants on the track, the odd landslide and rain. You choof through green hills to Coonoor, the old ‘summer capital’ of Madras. At 2240m above sea level, the air is clean, the monkeys are plentiful and the jacaranda trees and colourful lantana a sight for shining eyes.</p> <p>And for something completely different hop onboard a houseboat to ply the backwaters – Cochin in Kerala. The houseboats took about eight people and we each separated to our own vessels. <br />We were served fine curries particular to this region with fresh fruit following. A heavy sleep and back on shore saw most people a little sad at leaving the houseboats.</p> <p>And it’s like that leaving India. I was a little sad, as I didn’t think I had understood it well enough – I didn’t have enough time. But hey, as the distance between us grows, my memories are growing fonder and I’m getting a bit more of a handle on things – but maybe I’m not. It doesn’t matter really. India goes from the sublime to the incredulous – and long may it stay that way.</p> <p>Remember India is not for the fainthearted, best to be under the guidance of a reliable company.</p> <p><strong>Useful links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.thaiairways.com/en/index.page">www.thaiairways.com</a></p> <p><em>Written by Bev Malzard. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/explore-the-southern-spice-trail-of-india.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a> </em></p>

Cruising

Placeholder Content Image

5 things you need to see at the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail

<p>The third annual<span> </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.bathurstregion.com.au/bathurstheritagetradestrail" target="_blank">Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail</a><span> </span>will be back bigger than ever this weekend with 100 artisans coming together to pay homage to the trades and traditions that have helped shape the region from the 18<sup>th</sup>-19<sup>th</sup> May.</p> <p>Artisans will showcase rare trades and crafts including blacksmithing, whip cracking, glass artistry, embroidery, carpentry, cigar box guitar making, violin making and more, across four of Bathurst’s most historic venues.</p> <p>Here are five things you can’t miss at the Bathurst Heritage Trail this weekend:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Rediscover craftsmanship: </strong>step back in time to find out about the trades of 200 years ago from carpentry, lacemaking, musical instrument building, blacksmithing and more.</li> <li><strong>Get hands-on at a workshop:</strong><span> </span>have you ever wanted to learn how to upholster your own furniture, or try your hand at vintage printmaking techniques? There is a selection of great workshops available all weekend.</li> <li><strong>Sip on a local wine: </strong>at one of the wine appreciation sessions held by local award-winning winemaker, Mark Renzaglia.</li> <li><strong>Snack on a yummy local treat: </strong>try a yummy scone from the Country Women’s Association, a hearty locally made soup, or grab a coffee from Bathurst locals, Long Point Coffee.</li> <li><strong>Explore Bathurst: </strong>Australia’s oldest inland settlement is also home to the Australian Fossil &amp; Mineral Museum, Chifley Home and Abercrombie House, or simply take a stroll through the historic Town Square while listening to the<span> </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/bathurst-step-beyond/id1436831330?mt=8" target="_blank">Bathurst audio tour</a> narrated by Grant Denyer.</li> </ol> <p class="p1"><em>Written by Alison Godfrey.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/bathurst-regional-trades-trail/">MyDiscoveries</a>.</em></p>

Domestic Travel

Placeholder Content Image

5 things you need to see at the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail

<p>The third annual <a href="http://www.bathurstregion.com.au/bathurstheritagetradestrail">Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail</a> will be back bigger than ever this weekend with 100 artisans coming together to pay homage to the trades and traditions that have helped shape the region from the 18th-19th May.</p> <p>Artisans will showcase rare trades and crafts including blacksmithing, whip cracking, glass artistry, embroidery, carpentry, cigar box guitar making, violin making and more, across four of Bathurst’s most historic venues.</p> <p>Here are five things you can’t miss at the Bathurst Heritage Trail this weekend:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Rediscover craftsmanship:</strong>step back in time to find out about the trades of 200 years ago from carpentry, lacemaking, musical instrument building, blacksmithing and more.</li> <li><strong>Get hands-on at a workshop:</strong>have you ever wanted to learn how to upholster your own furniture, or try your hand at vintage printmaking techniques? There is a selection of great workshops available all weekend.</li> <li><strong>Sip on a local wine:</strong>at one of the wine appreciation sessions held by local award-winning winemaker, Mark Renzaglia.</li> <li><strong>Snack on a yummy local treat:</strong>try a yummy scone from the Country Women’s Association, a hearty locally made soup, or grab a coffee from Bathurst locals, Long Point Coffee.</li> <li><strong>Explore Bathurst:</strong>Australia’s oldest inland settlement is also home to the Australian Fossil &amp; Mineral Museum, Chifley Home and Abercrombie House, or simply take a stroll through the historic Town Square while listening to the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/bathurst-step-beyond/id1436831330?mt=8">Bathurst audio tour</a> narrated by Grant Denyer.</li> </ol> <p>Tickets can be purchased here:<a href="http://www.bathurstregion.com.au/bathurstheritagetradestrail">www.bathurstregion.com.au/bathurstheritagetradestrail</a>.</p> <p><em>Written by Alison Godfrey. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/bathurst-regional-trades-trail/"><em>MyDiscoveries</em></a><em>. </em></p>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

Hikers rejoice! New trails in North and South Korea are opening

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hardcore hikers are rejoicing as they now have the option to explore the hiking trails that are alongside the Korean Peninsula’s Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The trails just so happen to be near the world’s most heavily armed border that divide North and South Korea, but as a part of South Korea’s Peace Trail project, there are three new trails being built.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Local government has approved three trails within the DMZ buffer, which stretches 4 kilometres wide and 240 kilometres long.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The area where the trails are looking to be built has divided the nations since 1953.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first trail, which is inside Gangwon province on the east side of the Korean Peninsula, opened on the 28</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">th</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of April.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"United Nations Command (UNC) and the ROK [South Korea] government have demonstrated superb teamwork, collaboration and coordination throughout the entire 'peace trail' process and will continue to do so," said General Robert Abrams, leader of the UNC, in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The ROK military has worked extremely long hours to ensure the success of this very important initiative, while assuring visitors their safety remains paramount."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the DMZ has been closed off to the public for more than six decades, it’s given the wildlife a chance to flourish. The area is home to endangered species, such as rare types of cranes, ducks, deer and mountain goats.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to reports from </span><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/korea-dmz-wildlife-hiking-trails/index.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">CNN</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, there are more than 6,000 different species of flora and fauna living inside the DMZ.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, hikers will be accompanied by military personnel and be required to wear bullet-proof vests and helmets during the walks.</span></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Man offers to trade truck for liver to save his dying wife

<p>A California man has taken to Facebook to make a desperate plea to help save his dying wife.</p> <p>Verlon Robinson, 55, offered to give away his pick-up truck and trailer to anyone who could donate a healthy section of liver that would save his wife. He even offered to throw in one of his kidneys to the deal.</p> <p>Verlon’s wife, Marie, suffers from cirrhosis of the liver. She is on an organ transplant waiting list but Verlon says he is worried she won’t get a liver in time.</p> <p>“To all that don’t know I have a very sick wife, with a non-reversible liver disease,” Verlon wrote in a post last week.</p> <p>“I do have an 04 Dodge pick-up that I would gladly trade anyone,” he said. “Plus I could throw in a nice tent trailer.</p> <p>“I would do anything to trade places with her but as you know that’s impossible. So please if you are O-positive or negative blood type and would consider giving her some of your liver we have insurance that would cover all surgeries.</p> <p>“PS I have good kidneys and I would throw in one.”</p> <p><img width="439" height="585" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/989513d7a833c363a2f55297ca6176ee?width=650" alt="Man offers to trade truck for liver to save dying wife. Picture: Verlon Robinson/Facebook" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Verlon had to later change his proposal after being told it was “against the rules to offer my material stuff”.</p> <p>“Since most of you do not want my truck or trailer, it’s probably OK,” he quipped. “However they did say I could still offer my kidney. So kidney is still out there.”</p> <p> </p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Cycling Queenstown's stunning Paradise Trail

<p><em><strong>Justine Tyerman, 61, is a New Zealand journalist, travel writer and sub-editor. Married for 36 years, she lives in rural surroundings near Gisborne on the East Coast of New Zealand with her husband Chris.</strong></em></p> <p>They were whimpering in their box – my trusty tramping boots – not able to comprehend why they had been passed over for a pair of leather lightweights.</p> <p>“We’ve served you well for 10 years and now you’ve decided you would rather cycle than tramp,” they grizzled. “We always go with you to the Great Outdoors – how could you leave us behind in favour of those… flimsy sneaky things with no tread?”</p> <p>I tried to explain that cycling was vastly different from tramping and the pedalling movement would make them horribly dizzy… but they were soles-up and sulking.</p> <p>I promised them a lovely muddy tramp as soon as I returned but they had pulled the box lid shut, muttering “traitor”.</p> <p>The sneakers were not the only new item of clothing I donned on day one of my first-ever cycling expedition. I also pulled on a pair of padded pants which felt like nappies.</p> <p>Setting off on a late summer cycle trip instead of a tramp was a radical departure from the norm for me – but the Paradise Trail near Queenstown was irresistible. For someone whose spiritual home is the mountains, lakes and rivers of the South Island, this four-day guided trip had it all.</p> <p>I confess I was so mesmerised by the breath-taking photos on the <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.paradisetrail.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Revolution Tours website</span></strong></a>, I developed convenient amnesia about the fact I had not been on a bicycle since school days, and just kept chanting the words I had read on the home page of owner-guides Matt and Kate Belcher: “If you can ride a bike then you can do this trip.”</p> <p>Midway up the first gentle incline, I realised why the machine I was riding is commonly referred to as a push bike… because when the puffing set in, I became a pusher.</p> <p>But the panorama of jagged peaks and gleaming glaciers unfolding with each turn of the pedals was so spectacular, my soaring spirits drowned out the protestations of my thigh muscles… and every day the cycling became easier.</p> <p>I quickly bonded with my ‘hybrid bike’, perfectly pre-set for my height, with its superbly comfortable padded seat, step-through frame, easy-to-manage handgrip gears and ‘upright geometry’ to allow riders to appreciate the views. I even grew to like my nappies.</p> <p>And I never once felt tempted to get in the support vehicle which trundles along with the cyclists, loaded to the gunwales with enough food and drinks for an army, emergency medical equipment including a defibrillator, a portaloo and tent, rain shelter, spare wet weather gear and the personal belongings of the cyclists. But the presence of the van and the hugely-capable Matt and Kate were so reassuring, half way through day one I felt confident that even in my state of extreme cycle-unfitness I would manage the trip. The van driver was also in constant radio contact with the guide about road conditions and hazards so all risk factors were well under control.</p> <p>After coffee at Pier 19 in Queenstown on a crisp late summer morning, we steamed across the satin waters of Lake Wakatipu on the iconic TSS Earnslaw, the ‘Lady of the Lake’, watching the muscly young stoker feed a tonne of coal an hour into the hot jaws of the four hungry furnaces that power the 102-year-old vintage steamer.</p> <p>We had morning tea in bright sunshine at historic Walter Peak Station, founded in 1860, and wandered around the stunning gardens and homestead before cycling along the lake on gently undulating deserted farm tracks, through ancient beech forests to Kinloch at the head of the lake.</p> <p>We cheated en route with a brief but thrilling water taxi ride where the track was unbikeable from Mt Nicholas Station to the Greenstone Valley. Wakatipu was like a mirror and Matt and the skipper joked about skiing barefoot behind the boat.</p> <p>The lovely, restored Kinloch Lodge, a tourist destination since 1868, was our luxurious accommodation for the first night. A delightful hot tub on the hill overlooking the lake eased complaining muscles in all sorts of places I never knew I had.</p> <p>Next day, we meandered up the beautiful braided river valleys of the Dart and Rees which cut deep into the backbone of the Southern Alps. We watched jet boats hoon up the Dart while we ate our picnic lunch in a sunny spot beside the river, gazing spellbound at towering snow-covered peaks named after Greek gods.</p> <p>Talking of lunch, the Paradise Trail comes with a serious warning. Don't for a moment imagine you will lose weight with all the hearty exercise you are doing, à bicyclette, because delicious gourmet food lurks around every corner. After hearty country breakfasts, yummy lunches and morning and afternoon teas appear on tartan rugs by gorgeous streams and rivers as if by magic… not to mention the veritable feasts we were treated to at the end of every day.</p> <p>After lunch, we rode through the famous Lord of the Rings’ Forest of Lothlorian, posing for silly photos in Gollum's hollow tree trunk, skirted the shores of glistening Diamond Lake, and by mid-afternoon on day two, found ourselves literally in Paradise, so named for the eponymous duck not the staggering scenery.</p> <p>The historic Paradise Homestead, built in the 1880s in the most heavenly location, was our home for day two and three.  </p> <p>The deeply-weathered Mt Earnslaw, 2189m, with a crown of silver schist was right on our doorstep and a short walk beyond the trees, a necklace of startling peaks as improbable as a child's scribble of the horizon.</p> <p>Sadly the kitchen, lounge and dining room of the homestead are no longer there. The building was struck by lightning and burnt down a few months after our visit but the facilities have since been rebuilt to a high standard by the Paradise Trust who own the property.</p> <p>On the third day we left our bikes behind and hiked up the Routeburn Track alongside an alpine river with colours so intense our Aussie bike mates believed me when I said DoC rangers poured turquoise food colouring into the pools to ‘wow’ the trampers.</p> <p>A light frost still lingered in the shade as we cycled towards Chinaman’s Bluff on our final day, surrounded by the giants we had seen in the distance as we steamed up the lake four days earlier. The air was so crisp and bright and clear, it made my eyes water. At road’s end, we walked up the grassy valley on the Rees-Dart tramping track and ate our last picnic on a log by the Dart River in the hallowed company of Pluto, Cosmos, Chaos, Minos, Nox and Amphion.</p> <p>We dawdled as long as we could, reluctant to leave Paradise and return to civilisation, but the drive back to Queenstown along the edge of Lake Wakatipu was as stunning as the trip itself. Matt pointed out the track we had ridden a few days earlier on the far side of the lake and stopped at a lookout for us to take last photos of the lake and mountains, bathed in sunshine on another glorious cloudless day. We had obviously pleased those mighty Greek gods because the weather was near-perfect for the whole four days.</p> <p>Remote it may be but Paradise is not undiscovered. The secret of its astonishing beauty was out 130 years ago when adventurous travellers in their hundreds came up Lake Wakatipu by steamer and on by dray to stay at Paradise Homestead. For nearly 50 years, an early owner ‘Granny’ Aitken fed up to 120 for lunch and often looked after 28 overnight guests . . . well before electricity.</p> <p>Sir Peter Jackson also ‘discovered’ Paradise 15 years ago and the area became one of his favourite settings for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Years later, Tolkien fans are still clamouring for tours of the iconic sites by 4WD, jet boat, foot and even horseback.</p> <p>I had an epiphany on the Paradise Trail which may well see my faithful tramping boots side-lined more often. For every short burst of exertion, there was the heady reward of effortless freewheeling downhill through dappled beech forests with the shafts of sunlight flickering like frames in an old movie, whizzing fast down country lanes ringing my bell and yelling ‘wheee’ to the merino sheep, horses and Angus cattle along the way,  charging through clear mountain streams with feet in the air to avoid the splash… and doing it again just for the thrill of it and to capture the scene on video to brag to doubting family members. Such pedal-powered delights cannot happen on foot – short of fitting wheels to one's feet. I also discovered you can cover great distances on bikes and not miss out on the views. I’m just not sure how to break the news to my old tramping mates…</p> <p><em>*The four-day, three-night, fully-guided Paradise Trail with Revolution Tours covers 70 kilometres by bike over three days and includes a one-day hike up the Routeburn Track.</em></p> <p><em>*Justine Tyerman was a guest of Revolution Tours.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/07/guide-to-queenstown-new-zealand/">Travel guide: Queenstown</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/07/hidden-gems-uncovered-at-palliser-bay/">Hidden gems uncovered at Palliser Bay</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/06/10-lesser-known-new-zealand-holiday-spots/">10 lesser-known New Zealand holiday spots</a></strong></em></span></p>

Domestic Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Exploring Australia’s history on the Cobb & Co Heritage Trail

<p><strong><em><img width="258" height="127" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/25301/elizabeth-and-gary_258x127.jpg" alt="Elizabeth And Gary" style="float: left;"/>In 2010 Elizabeth Gray and her husband, Gary, set off on what turned out to be a five year journey by motorhome which took them to 47 countries on five continents. They returned to explore Australia late last year and are now caravanning on the Cobb &amp; Co Heritage Trail.</em></strong></p> <p>After doing quite a few “trips with a purpose” (other than just going from point A to point B) during our four and a half years motorhoming overseas we looked for possibilities here in Australia.</p> <p>It was while we were in Toowoomba for a short time after we arrived back from the US waiting for our new caravan to arrive, that we visited the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au/" target="_blank">Cobb &amp; Co Museum</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>We were immediately captivated by the number and extent of the routes that the stage coaches travelled within Australia. Maybe it would be possible to join routes together in the eastern states at least to make our travelling interesting as well as historically meaningful. By doing this it also included touching on the Murray-Darling River systems as well which is another interest of ours.</p> <p>The aim of Cobb &amp; Co from the outset in January 1854 was to provide reliable transportation for goods and passengers to and from the Victorian goldfields. Four enterprising young Americans, one of them named Freeman Cobb, were the founders of the company.</p> <p>Cobb &amp; Co stage coaches, plus it's many other endeavours, was to spread throughout NSW and southern central and far north Queensland. The company was to change hands and be reincarnated many, many, times until its last coach journey in southern Queensland in 1924. At its peak the company travelled 44,800 km each week and 6,000 of its 30,000 horses were harnessed every day.</p> <p>In its long, fascinating and often times turbulent history fortunes were made and lost. The Cobb &amp; Co company invested in coach and buggy building, horses, donkey breeding, general stores, a newspaper, real estate, gold, iron and copper mining, railway building, cattle and sheep farming and homesteads and finally in the 1920's, newfangled trucks and cars!</p> <p>We will drive and walk on as many of the coach routes as we can, identify staging posts where possible and immerse ourselves in a little slice of Australia's transportation history including the railroad, agricultural history, conditions and rights for workers and the list continues... a time that spanned from 1854 to 1924.</p> <p>Coaches carried the Royal Mail on almost all of their routes so their appearance in townships was always eagerly awaited. Sometimes other precious cargo was carried, for instance gold nuggets, and that as well as passengers personal affects became the target of bushrangers.</p> <p>We started with the Cobb &amp; Co Royal Mail routes in South East Queensland. Dating from 1827, Ipswich was originally a convict outstation for farming and quarrying limestone. It is Queensland’s oldest provincial city and the beginning of the Cobb &amp; Co route to Toowoomba on the Darling Downs. Sadly no monument or plaque exists in Ipswich to commemorate the fact.</p> <p>So we commenced retracing the Cobb &amp; Co coach route with no actual reference point other than it was here in Ipswich… somewhere!</p> <p>Have you travelled on the Cobb &amp; Co Heritage Trail? Share your experience with us in the comments below.</p> <p><em>To read more about Elizabeth and her husband’s moterhoming adventures, please visit <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://globalrvtravellers.com/" target="_blank">their website here.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><strong><em>If you have a story to share please get in touch with <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au" target="_blank">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></span>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2016/07/exploring-australias-forgotten-tourist-capital/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Exploring Australia’s forgotten tourist capital</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2016/07/10-free-things-to-do-in-perth/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 free things to do in Perth</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2016/06/8-outback-destinations-every-aussie-should-visit/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 outback destinations every Aussie should visit</span></em></strong></a></p>

Domestic Travel

Placeholder Content Image

High-speed rail link from Sydney to Melbourne revealed

<p>Exciting new plans to construct a high-speed rail link between Sydney and Melbourne have just been unveiled, and if the reports are to be believed, taxpayers won’t have to foot the bill.</p> <p>The proposed link would see travellers able to travel from Melbourne to Sydney in less than two hours (or two hours and 45 minutes for an all-stops service). The eight-stop link would also connect Canberra as well as regional areas like the Southern Highlands, Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga and Shepparton.</p> <p>Nick Cleary, chairman of the company proposing the new link (Consolidated Land and Rail Australia, or CLARA) says the $200 billion project, conceived with the help of companies such as GE, Aecom, RMIT and the CSIRO, would not rely on funding from state or federal governments.</p> <p>After 12 months of negotiations with land owners, CLARA has secured rights to almost half of the land required for the train route.</p> <p>“Not only is CLARA seeking to build the world's largest high-speed rail infrastructure to date, the rail network is just part of a wider plan providing a quantum leap forward for the development of inland Australia,” Cleary said. “Our plan is about decentralisation. It’s actually a cities plan.”</p> <p>What do you think about the proposed rail link? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/07/aussies-households-feel-the-pinch-in-power-price-hike/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Aussie households feel the pinch in power price hike</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/07/molly-meldrum-hospitalised/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Molly Meldrum admitted to hospital</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/07/seals-put-on-show-at-sydney-opera-house/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Seals put on show at Sydney Opera House</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Why you need to visit the spectacular Otago Central Rail Trail

<p><em><strong>Geoff Gabites, a young 64-year-old, discovered cycling in his 40s and quickly turned the sport into an occupation. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.adventuresouth.co.nz/" target="_blank">Adventure South</a></span> was established in 1992 and is now the leading cycle tour company in New Zealand. </strong></em></p> <p>Named after the old railway line, built back at the turn of the 20th century, the Otago Central Rail Trail is a must ride. That’s because the initial draw card still remains – stunning vast natural landscapes, beautiful skies, friendly locals and 150 kilometres of flat riding. The trip isn’t just about cycling, there are a number of small historic towns to explore along the way, a legacy of the railway heritage. There are also a number of new accommodation, coffee and dining options that have emerged to cater to the increasing number of tourist visiting. The support structure is now sophisticated with cycle hire of all shapes and forms, luggage transfers, accommodation booking websites and support shuttle options available, as well as guided options for the ultimate carefree experience.</p> <p><strong>The history </strong></p> <p>After government help to develop a walkway and cycleway on the line, the trail was finally opened in 2000. The core market at that time was young backpackers and independent riders. Accommodation, where it existed, was largely dormitory based, with many riders opting to camp along the route, often down by quiet flowing rivers and shady willows. The trail surface was rough as some of the ballast surface still remained and the food offerings along the trail usually consisted of the local pub fare. The coffee was Gregs or Nescafe – instant! Dining out options were extremely limited!</p> <p>Despite this, numbers gradually grew as the Otago Central Railway Trust. The backpacker network spread the news of the quiet locations, the huge skies and the landscapes made famous by Graeme Sydney paintings. By around 2004 there was a steady trickle of riders and the businesses set up to deal with the market were feeling happy with the niche market. But word soon spread northwards as well as outward, about the stunning landscapes and the shoulder to shoulder local interaction down at the pub. This was the genuine New Zealand and the backpacker market loved it!</p> <p>Enter the middle-aged Kiwi female and her friends. Around 2006, I visited a few of our accommodation locations we infrequently used on various tours in the area. Of these locations, all of them were keen to talk about their plans for next season to cater for the growing demand of these “middle aged baby boomers who were starting to turn up with their friends and having a hellava great time”. The word had spread northwards and the floodgates were about to open.</p> <p>By 2008, Adventure South were running guided trips on the Otago Central Rail Trail and by 2010, these had become weekly departures. My insight into this market came when I talked to one group of organiser and the conversation went something like this:</p> <p>“Hi Margaret, it’s great to finally meet you after our various emails.  Your group of 6six are already for their trip?  How is your cycle fitness – and where are your partners?”</p> <p>Margaret’s response was enlightening: “Hell, we’re not big cyclists, but we do get together every Saturday and ride about 20 kilometres – just as a social thing. Mary’s neighbour rode the Otago Central Rail Trail last summer and we saw her photos and she loved it, so here we are!”</p> <p>“And what about your husbands and partners…?”</p> <p>“Huh, they were always too busy to join us, had rugby to watch, work to do, and all sorts of excuses, so bugger them, we’re here to have a good time!”</p> <p>The guide’s code of ethics ensures what went on tour, stayed on tour.</p> <p>Interestingly enough, within two years, the trickle became a flood, and sure enough, the males were there believing it was all their idea. The casual Saturday cycle ride had now swelled to become a social phenomenon with lycra to the fore, training regimes the norm, and wide gel seats the norm.  The age bracket continued to grow and is now well into the 70s.</p> <p>It has become a favourite of the over60 set and I recommend everyone give it a go.</p> <p>Have you ridden the Otago Central Rail before? Share your experience with us in the comments below.</p> <p><em>To find more information about cycling in New Zealand, visit <a href="http://www.cyclejourneys.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cycle Journeys site here.</span></strong></a> </em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Adventure South NZ  </em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/a-look-inside-first-class-cabins/">Inside 8 first class cabins that will amaze you</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/most-photographed-locations-in-london/">London’s 8 most photographed locations</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/holiday-ideas-for-animal-lovers/">8 holiday ideas every animal lover needs to experience</a></em></strong></span></p>

Domestic Travel

Placeholder Content Image

This 93-year-old man traded in his skateboard to get $4000 off a car

<p>When a 93-year-old man approaches a used car dealership, it’s not often you’d expect him to be carrying a skateboard.</p> <p>Enock Ernest Edwards had a chat to the salesmen at Fordthorne Motors about their advertised deal that promised “anything with four wheels can be part-exchanged”.  He joked with the salesman that he should bring his old skateboard into the shop in order to grab a deal, as he didn’t use it anymore.</p> <p>Only, he wasn’t really joking.</p> <p>Salesman Jack Dunn was greeted again by Encok when he returned to the car yard later, holding a skateboard. Jack said “He was such a lovely man, and it was a very clever idea, so we went with it. He had so much energy that everyone loved talking to him, he showed no sign of letting his age stop him doing what he wanted.”</p> <p>The part-exchange deal made Enock eligible for a £2,000 discount, which converts to $4137.60 NZD. He bought an MG for £8,499, originally priced at £10,499.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/03/98-year-old-skier-shares-his-secret/">98-year-old skier is king of the slopes</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/granny-scares-off-burglar-with-martial-arts-sword/">Granny scares off burglar with martial arts sword</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/03/royal-family-vacations/">60 years of royal family vacations in pictures</a></em></strong></span></p>

Retirement Life

Placeholder Content Image

8 more great Aussie hiking trails

<p>When it comes to great hiking trails Australia is spoilt for choice. We showed you <em><strong><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2016/02/best-hiking-trails-in-australia/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">some of our favourite hiking trails</span></a></strong></em> last month.</p> <p>Here are eight more hiking trails to try in our own backyard for hikers of all levels.</p> <p>To see the trails, scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p>Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland</p> <p>Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Tasmania</p> <p>The Arkaba Walk, South Australia</p> <p>The Maria Island Walk, Tasmania</p> <p>Six Foot Track, New South Wales</p> <p>Kosciuszko Walk, New South Wales</p> <p>Dove Lake Circuit, Cradle Mountain National Park</p> <p>Manly to the Spit Bridge</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/a-look-inside-first-class-cabins/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Inside 8 first class cabins that will amaze you</span></a></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/most-photographed-locations-in-london/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">London’s 8 most photographed locations</span></a></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/holiday-ideas-for-animal-lovers/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 holiday ideas every animal lover needs to experience</span></a></strong></em></p>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

How I walked the 1,200km Heysen Trail

<p><em><strong>Over60 community contributor, Rosie Kennett, shares the tale of how she walked the Heysen Trail, a 1,200-kilometre trek in South Australia.</strong></em></p> <p>In 2005 after retiring, I started a walking group with a few women friends, all of whom were over 60. The idea was to take country walks rather than city walks, ideally within an hour’s drive from Adelaide for convenience. We were very quickly amazed at the sheer number of walks available to us in beautiful, varied locations including quiet country lanes past local farms, recreational parks and national parks with expansive views over rolling hills, cityscapes and beachside fronts.</p> <p><img width="409" height="230" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11941/heysen-trail-photo-one_409x230.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo One"/></p> <p>We met once a fortnight and on an average day we would walk for four hours, over 12 to 18kms. We each took a light backpack with water and lunch. After a few months our numbers grew to 20 and included friends of friends and it was a lovely way to make new acquaintances. We shared humorous stories, sad stories, local news and we shared problems and gave opinions and advice to each other.</p> <p><img width="419" height="236" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11942/heysen-trail-photo-two_419x236.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Two"/></p> <p>All of our walks were found in local guidebooks written by experienced bush walkers. However, many of the directions were less than thorough such as “turn left at the narrow path next to the big gum tree” so on most of our walks we took wrong turns, but with enough strong opinions and a phone GPS we always made our way back to the cars amid laughter and relief! After a few years, the core of dedicated walkers decided on a bigger project – to hike the Heysen Trail.</p> <p><img width="417" height="235" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11943/heysen-trail-photo-three_417x235.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Three"/></p> <p>The Heysen Trail is a long distance walking trail stretching 1,200 kilometres from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide, through the Adelaide foothills then up north through the Barossa wine district before finally ending in Parachilna in the Flinders Ranges.</p> <p><img width="407" height="229" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11946/heysen-trail-photo-four_407x229.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Four (2)"/></p> <p>The trail was developed primarily in the 1970s and 80s by the late Terry Lavender OAM. Warren Bonython AO originally proposed a long distance walking trail connecting the Mount Lofty Ranges. Between 1979 and 1992 the greater part of the trail was constructed, traversing public and private land with the help of local government, councils, volunteers, schools and individual landowners.</p> <p><img width="428" height="241" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11947/heysen-trail-photo-five_428x241.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Five"/></p> <p>Our group of 10, calling ourselves “Get Out Group” started the trail in 2011. The trail is closed during the summer months. Starting at Cape Jervis and signing the register, we found the first half of the trail relatively easy to organise as day hikes, generally around 16kms over 4 to 5 hours.</p> <p><img width="405" height="228" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11948/heysen-trail-photo-six_405x228.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Six"/></p> <p>After reaching Burra, some 145kms north of Adelaide, we have to organise accommodation for 2 to 3 nights hiking each day, and as we ventured further north we had longer stays and longer hikes – up to 28kms a day. In Burra, we were joined by one husband, a keen walker, who had just retired. Most people thought he was our guide and with his Heysen trail GPS, careful planning and attention to detail we came to rely on his navigational skills (but still managed to get lost on a few occasions!).</p> <p><img width="417" height="235" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11949/heysen-trail-photo-seven_417x235.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Seven"/></p> <p>Staying overnight gave us the opportunity to have drinks around the campfire at sunset and exchange stories into the dark. Most nights we’d crawl into bed early exhausted by the day’s hike. There is a range of accommodation along the way from local hotels that are generally fairly basic, bed and breakfasts, miner’s cottages, country town houses, shearer’s quarters and camp cabins.</p> <p><img width="414" height="233" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11950/heysen-trail-photo-eight_414x233.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Eight"/></p> <p>The hardest thing to plan is the car drop offs as the access to the trail can be quite difficult in some sections. Car drop offs requires dropping cars to the end of the days walk, driving back to the start of the walk, picking up the cars at the end of the walk and driving back to the start to collect the other cars. At times we had to walk 4 kilometres from the car to the start of the trail!</p> <p><img width="407" height="229" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11951/heysen-trail-photo-nine_407x229.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo Nine"/></p> <p>The Heysen Trail showcases some of the best country SA has to offer. From spectacular cliff tops overlooking the ocean, panoramic views over Adelaide, lush green hills and vineyards, through sheep and cattle stations and quiet country towns and deserted ruins. You crossing babbling brooks and dry creek beds, ridge tops with expansive views to Spencer Gulf and Wilpena Pound, and deep gorges with amazing rock formations of Brachina and Parachilna Gorges in the Flinders Ranges.</p> <p><img width="400" height="225" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11952/heysen-trail-photo-10_400x225.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo 10"/></p> <p>Our journey ended at the wonderful Prairie Hotel where we were joined by our husbands to celebrate our amazing 1,200 kilometre achievement and shared wonderful memories with a few glasses of bubbly around a huge campfire under a clear star-lit night sky.</p> <p><img width="396" height="223" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11954/heysen-trail-photo-11_396x223.jpg" alt="Heysen Trail Photo 11 (1)"/></p> <p>Walking the Heysen Trail was an unforgettable experience. Apart from the obvious health and friendship benefits, this type of hiking allows you to contemplate life and immerse yourself in country far from the noise and traffic of the city. However, it is not for the fainthearted!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/16-countries-to-visit-in-2016/"><strong>16 best countries for travel in 2016</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/10-cities-with-the-least-traffic/"><strong>10 cities where you won’t get stuck in traffic!</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/largest-flower-garden-in-the-world/"><strong>14 images from the world’s largest flower garden</strong></a></em></span></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Meet the grandma who hiked a 3,500km trail in tennis shoes

<p>We’ve heard of people going for long walks, but this is something else altogether!</p> <p>American grandmother Emma Rowena Gatewood was 67 when she became the first woman to successfully hike the Appalachian Trail solo and in one season. This 3,500 kilometre trail, extending from Mount Oglethorpe in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, is no mean feat!</p> <p><img width="348" height="444" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11384/grandma-hike-body-three.jpg" alt="Grandma Hike Body Three" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Emma was a farmer’s wife from Ohio, mother to 11 children and grandmother to 24. She became enamoured with the hike when she read about it in a copy of National Geographic.</p> <p>In 1955, barely prepared, she decided to embark on her stroll with a blanket, raincoat and plastic shower curtain and wearing tennis shoes, a testament to her fortitude.</p> <p><img width="497" height="345" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11385/grandma-hike-body-five_497x345.jpg" alt="Grandma Hike Body Five" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Hikers spotted her on the trail, she picked up the nickname “Grandma Gatewood” and when Sports Illustrated ran a story on her hiking she became something of a local celebrity.</p> <p>By age 75, Emma had hiked the Appalachian Trail three times, and also walked the 3,200 kilometres Oregon Trail. Her advice to hikers was, “Make a rain cape, and an over the shoulder sling bag, and buy a sturdy pair of Keds tennis shoes. Stop at local groceries and pick up Vienna sausages… most everything else to eat you can find beside the trail”.</p> <p><img width="497" height="290" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/11386/grandma-hike-body-four_497x290.jpg" alt="Grandma Hike Body Four" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p>

International Travel

Our Partners