Introducing - Jamie Storie
From Punting on the Avon
Refined, relaxing and romantic...Punting on the Avon has been
one of Christchurch's iconic attractions since 1986, and offers
authentic Edwardian punt rides along the Avon River. Each
Punting tour is 30 minutes duration and there are three departure
points to choose from - Worcester Street Bridge, Antigua Boat
Sheds and Mona Vale.
1. What are your role and responsibilities at
Punting on the Avon?
At Punting on the Avon I am the Punting Manager,
which means that I am responsible for ensuring that our customers
have the most enjoyable and relaxing ride they can possibly get on
Christchurch City's famous river. The punter's that will guide
customers on their tour of Christchurch are the most entertaining
and well presented people you could hope for and I am proud to work
with them to maintain that highest of standard.
2. What's the first thing you do on a Saturday
morning?
I feed my cat as soon as possible. He's a really
loud talker and doesn't let me sleep in. He's used to being fed
early during the week and doesn't seem to have any compassion for
my lie in's at the weekend. Great cat Monday to Friday but could do
without him after a night out. After he's happy, it's time for a
strong coffee.
3. What are you reading at the moment?
Cormac McCarthy's 'Border' Trilogy. On a flight back
from the UK I listened to an audio book of his work 'No country for
old men' and started picking up his books from the library. Didn't
think I would get into westerns but he is a good
writer.
4. If you were to be stranded on an island, which three
things would you take with you?
Easy… Guitar, Internet and a chef.
5. If I invited myself over to your house for dinner,
using only the contents in your fridge right now, what would you
make me?
At the moment, drunk and hungry. Christmas has
cleaned out my fridge of most of the food but I have lots of left
over booze from New year's eve.
6. Where would you rather be right now?
Takaka in Golden Bay. I spent almost 3 months there
last year and it was beautiful. I lived in a house bus right on the
beach and would get up to the most gorgeous views. Sunny days and
Moonlit nights. I think about being back there a
lot.
7. What advice would you give to your 15 year old
self?
'Get out more'. I have always been quite shy and
retiring and would not have believed that I would end up living in
New Zealand or working as a tour guide. I never really paid much
attention to the rest of the world and it took me to have a really
boring job in the UK for me to realize that there was more to life
than living to work, and working for money. I wish I had got out of
the UK earlier and experienced more of what life and the world had
to offer.
8. If you could only ever go one place in the world on
holiday for the rest of your life - where would it be?
It would have to be London. Most of my family is over
there and, even though I have left, I still have all my memories
there. I wouldn't swap the option to travel back to England for any
tropical resort on earth.
9. If you acquire one new skill within the next 24
hours, what would it be?
It would be to learn to drive a car. I am almost 30
and have never learnt. In London you don't need to. There is public
transport that can take you from right outside your house to
practically anywhere. New Zealand is a little trickier and I always
feel bad having to get lifts off friends.
10. What's one thing most people do not know about
you?
I was born with six nipples. True.
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