NEWS 12 <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>February</strong> 25, <strong>2021</strong> Wayward wheeler to speak By SHELLEY TOPP Epic paraplegic traveller Eamon Wood, also known as The Wayward Wheeler, is aguest speaker at the Kaiapoi Library next month. The Christchurch author of A Backpack, aChair and aBeard will speak about his wheelchair travels backpacking around the South Island of New Zealand, Britain, the United States and the fjords and lakes of Europe. At 28, Eamon had afull life working as an engineer and in sport as an elite athlete who had represented New Zealand at wheelchair tennis and basketball. But he wanted to push himself further to achieve more from life. He travelled solo during his New Zealand and overseas adventures, often slept rough and at times his journey was mentally and physically exhausting, but for him that was the best part. Eamon has been aparaplegic since he was aged 4and has found exercise to be agreat antidote for depression. He loves to push himself mentally and physically. He has learnt that, with this positive mindset, his wheelchair is no hindrance to whatever he wants to do. Eamon will be at the library next Thursday, March 4, from 5pm to 6.30pm to give his talk and promote his book. Fun in the sun ... Pool parties proved popular across the Hurunui district. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Classic car gathering Aclassiccar gathering willbeheld on Sunday, <strong>February</strong> 28, at the Better Half Kitchen and Bar, on State Highway 1at the corner Ashworths Beach Road, from 10am.Food, coffee, tea, alcohol and toiletsare available on site. About 60 vehicles turnedout at the first outinglast month. It will be held again in March, and each monthfollowing. No dogs,smoking, or BYO alcohol. A bar willbeopen. Picnic lunches are welcome, but must be eaten outdoors. Several improvements will be made, and some classiccaravans, boats, cyclesetc, could be addedatalater date on the grassed area betweenthe cafe and highway. It is afree event thankstothe ownerofBetter Half Kitchen and Bar, aside from the money you may wish to spend there. Better Half opensat9am for thosewho may wish to have brunch. Bugs and biodiversity The Hurunui Biodiversity Trust will present Bugs and Biodiversity with Ruud Klenpaste at the WaikariHall on March 2, from 6pm to 8pm. Join the socalled“Bug Man” on his mission to ensurethat insects, spiders and other arthropodsget the loveand affection they deserve in the context of land stewardship. It is suretobe entertainingand informative for the whole family. Supper is provided. A$5 entry donation wouldbeappreciated. RSVP to Hurunuibiodiversity@ gmail.com, by <strong>February</strong> 25. Pool parties ahit It has been an endless summer for the community pools in Hurunui. It is the fourth summer that the Hurunui District Council has hosted a series of pool parties at school and community swimming pools around the district. Council community team leader Rhea Duffy said pool parties were all about hours of fun, music, games, and a sausage sizzle —all in the name of keeping the boredom at bay towards the end of the school holidays. “And it gives council staff the opportunity to connect with different members of our community in arelaxed environment –and not at ameeting around atable.” In total, 11 pool parties were held, with Waikari and Omihi hosting them for the first time. Pool parties are thirsty and hungry work, with more than 950 sausages consumed, more than 50 loaves of bread eaten, five litres of tomato sauce needed, and numerous fruit and vege sticks enjoyed. Amberley and Rotherham had the highest attendance rates, followed closely by Hawarden. Community feedback was hugely positive, with those in the district grateful for some extra summer fun for young people.
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