Reporter's Diary

Press, 28 March 1981, Page 2

Reporter's Diary

Long. . . A HONEYMOON trip which started almost two years and 19,000 km ago has brought Anne and Michel Knockaert (pictured) to Christchurch. Anne, a secretary, and Michel, a food engineer, from Paris, had been married a month when they decided, to travel round the world. They chose bicycles as the best way to meet people in their own countries. The cycles, made and given by Motobecane, were specially built for the journey with reinforced frames and wheels and double braking systems, ideal for the rough roads they met through Asia. Their honeymoon trip has so far taken them through Europe, the Middle East, India, Asia, and Australia, and they plan to spend two months in New Zealand before flying either to the United States or back to Australia. They do not expect to arrive home for another year at least.

Fascist party (he was sporting a Zappa moustache then, which is something of a badge for Turkish Fascists). After what Will probably be three years in the saddle, they have no idea how they will settle down to ordinary life in Paris when the'trip is over. Unauthorised

version AMONG the many Latin inscriptions in Christchurch Cathedral is one from the Royal New Zealand Air Force: “Per ardua ad astra.” Loosely translated, this usually reads, “Through hard work to the heavens.” A visiting preacher reports that Pacific Islanders have a snappier version of the motto: “No climb, no coconuts.” Reminder

Burnham evening

MALAYSIAN soldiers, who have been training in New Zealand for the last few weeks, will treat their hosts to a “Malaysian night” at Burnham Camp on Sunday evening. Members of the public are also invited to the evening’s activities, which will consist of a cultural show, including singing, drama, traditional Malaysian food, and music. The evening is being put on by the 13th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, and will be held outdoors or in the camp’s community hall if wet, from 7 p.m. Further information can be obtained from Captain Maznan, telephone 721-855.. Junior efforts PRE-SCHOOLERS at the Avonhead Playcentre will be the “stars” of a big fund raising effort for the centre this morning. The Ministry of Transport’s special training park in Avonhead will be taken over by energetic youngsters from aged 21 to five years using a collection of prams, tricycles • and bicycles In a sponsored trike-a-thon / ride-a-thon / push-a-thon. The sight of a team of young hopefuls practising in a quiet suburban street earlier this week is evidence' of the firm interest of the pre-schoolers.

. . .ride THE KNOCKAERTS look forward to 'seeing mountains and snow again after 18 months in the tropics: Michel is a ski instructor and is keen to traverse the slopes again. They have been very impressed with the hospitality of people they 7 have met on their trip, in spite of one or two nasty incidents in the Middle East and Asia. In Turkey they were attacked by border guards who apparently mistook Michel for a member of a

THE COLLECTION of census forms is proceeding according to schedule, according to Mr Barney Thorne, the Christchurch area census officer. Mr Thorne said his office is still receiving calls, mainly from elderly people, who want advice on how to fill their forms. He has had to remind them that the forms should have been filled in on Tuesday, and should be ready for collection now by the subenumerators.