Yep , tricky old year . My job went packing so I assumed the role of superannuitant , but have maintained doing some freelance scribbling . I am also adept at mowing laws , painting window frames and worming cats . Then last week , out of the shallow depths of a swirling river , I had another taste of adrenalin which I last tasted ( years ago ) taking a tweakedup Suzuki around the Taupo race track . I love late braking , and the chap who steered me and the missus and a terrified young couple up and down the Shotover River down Arrowtown way clearly enjoyed it too . Except that he steered in at rocky precipices at about 75km / h before skilfully steering away ... in the direction of the next one . In between he did water-showering 360 spins . All so very casually , but absolutely expertly . It was as good as barreling into the great sweeper at the end of the back straight at
Manfield at a fine speed , and preparing for the turns to come . This was a fleeting , budget conscious visit south for us , just to see places we ’ d otherwise unlikely see ... and the only advice I have for anyone dropping in for an ale in Arrowtown ( or the delightful Cardrona pub ) is book a lap up and down the Shotover on the superb jet boat . As I remarked to the smiling pilot when he slowed up to ask how we all were at one stage ... ” I think I ’ ve shit myself .” He laughed ... and off we went , and all I heard myself thinking was “ Come on ... boot it more ”. Most memorable . Not quite up there with track testing a Kawasaki 750 F1 bike at Pukekohe back in the ‘ 90s but not far off it . Get out and thrill out while you can ... and if there ’ s a track day coming up and you ’ ve got a spare MV Agusta on the trailer by all means give me a yell . I ’ ll bring my own life vest .