Jill is on the Changing Worlds trail in New Zealand

We have sent Jill Baughen to New Zealand and Australia this year as part of the Changing Worlds team.

This is the first time Jill has been to this part of the World.

Whilst doing some work for Changing Worlds Jill, and her husband Jeff, are clearly enjoying their four week trip. This is the first of their despatches:
Our first observation has to be that NZ is a long way away; the second is it's worth it! Our first stop was Auckland, where NZ's America's Cup success is clearly in evidence as is all things sailing. It is a lively, modern city with a steady, enjoyable pace.

We moved on up to Paihia on the first C part of the trip where we met the CW representatives, Roger and Carol. We chatted about the NZ side of the CW operation and some wider issues, including beef farming and NZ politics. It was a pleasure to meet Roger and Carol, having heard so much about them.

Next part of the process was meeting up with Lyndsey, who is working at the horse trekking placement, together with Claire, the owner. Claire was most welcoming and her explanationof the nZ Quality Mark Award, which the trekking centre has been awarded, was really useful and very relevant to the CW operation.

The really fun part was going out riding with Lyndsey; I don't know who ached the most by the end of the 2 hours - me because I haven't ridden in a long time or Lyndsey who had taken a fall the day before. Lyndsey is thoroughly enjoying her placement - she is staying in accommodation in a beautiful location very close to where the horses are kept and riding every day.

She has also had 2 parachute jumps since being in Paihia. Lyndsey loves flying (and obviously the thrills of parachute jumping too!)

Paihia is a delightful place but since moving on, we have seen more stunning scenery visiting Tauranga, Rotorua and Lake Taupo. I am now in the library in Masterton and will be visiting Marise, Emily and Hayley at the stud this afternoon.

More to follow probably from the next library on our route!'

More to follow.