Emma's birthday +1 week

24 October Monday

Labour day in NZ
Left site 9.30 going to Coromandel. Horrible drive today, twisty gravelly

and tiring for Colin, didn'teven stop for lunch. Arrived at (DOCsite) Fantail Bay aprrox 4 ish, it is a lovely spot with a pebble beach across the road, we are one of three on the site, there are even showers (cold). Walked down to the beach and had a paddle then sat in sunshine before dinner.
A damsel in distress pulled in with a flat tyre which Colin changed for her . after dinner sat on beach watching the sun go down,

lovely end to a difficult day.

25 October Tuesday

It is a beautiful start to the day opening the curtains and to see the sea through the trees,

 Colin said the 2 men and lads went out fishing at 6, on return they showed us their catch of 2 snappers, one was huge.
the sun has come out well and we put 2 mattresses outside and just laid in the sun, one of the lads came to borrow a large saucepan to boil a fish head and later they brought over the smaller fish to us for lunch, they had smoked it (Colin took the head off before eating), it was delicous.

went for a walk in afternoon and persuaded colin to go for a swim, it was chilly but not too bad, after wading up to our waists we bit the bullet and got our shoulders under and had a short swim, I went and had a cold shower to wash off the salt, which wasn't too bad.

A couple turned up in a small bus towing a trailer with a boat on top, inside the trailer was a quad bike which they used to tow boat trailer to the water. went down to the beach for a bit after dinner before sorting more photos for blog.

The most relaxing time.

26 October Wednesday

The last 2 tea bags - oh no !!

Tried to get away at 8.30 but got talking to camping neighbours, they are on a 3 week holiday, they went out fishing last night and caught enough for dinner , as a consequence left site just before 9.30 on our way to Thames. Coast is as scenic as usual, caught up on facebook then went into Emails to find Jason at Cargo Online needing Colin to fill in a Customs Clearance form urgently, printed form off in library and Colin completed it after getting all our documents from van ,then got library staff to fax it to Oz.($12) Colin rang Jason to ask him to confirm by Email that form was ok. He let us know we needed an adress in Oz, so put in hotel in Sydney, hopefully everthing now ok.(Colin checked phone,still got $14 on it, only put $20 on to start with), left library after 2 pm, eventually found somewhere to stop on way to Miranda for a bite of lunch. We decided to find campsite south of Auckland for the night. The first one we stopped at had no hot water due to a ruptured gas pipe on the North Island . As nobody in office we decide to go get some T bags and tobacco and made a decision to go to Clarks Beach Holiday Park instead. Lovely site (most expesive $36) but he gave us $1.50 for 3 showers plus half hour free internet card ,after making us promise not to feed the dog.Parked up and you can see the sea,

wonderfull.Went through photos for blog and just started dinner when Mark the site owner came over and asked if we wanted to go for a trip on his boat for half an hour Colin went with him(he needed to give his boat a test run after beeing parked up for the winter).Rose ate dinner, by the time Colin got back it was getting dark but he had a big grin on his face.Cooked his food then went off to put phots onto blog and check Emails, Jason now wants a copy of Rose's passport.(sort it out tomorrow).Late to bed tonight, been an evetfull day.

27 October Thursday.

Got talking to a lady in the kitchen this morning and she was telling us she had never been off the North Island but was going with husband to South Island in December, we told herof a couple good camp sites and some places of interest they might like to see.
THEY DO NOT PUT AWNINGS ON SIDE OF THEIR CARAVANS THEY PUT EXTENSIONS

Off to Papakura for library. Sent off fax of passport and sent Email attachment of photo of passport as well, asked Jason to ring us if anything else needed.

Decided to head for DOC site at Waipu, on coast. It made a nice change to drive on a motorway through Auckland. Avoided toll road going north and dropped onto coast road . Stopped at a town called Leigh, the beach is lovely.

 Got to site at 3.45 pmand booked in for 2 nights ($34) Uretiti Recreation Reserve - Bream Bay.They have a warden on site now over the summer (so had to pay)

NOW SEEN 28 REAL LAND ROVERS.

Sat in sunshine (getting to be quite a habit) trying not to burn. Had another lovely stir fry with Brocolli (just for Colin), but rice not noodles - scrummy.Went for a walk on the beach - proper sand, it is a long gorgeous bay(swim tomorrw)

followed by a walk around camp site,it's such a nice warm evening. Noticed it got dark later.

28 October Friday

Warm night, looks a bit cloudy first thing. Left site about 9 to go to Whangarei to use library, it seems they charge like a wounded bull,so the lady sent to the Mall where we had coffee and logged on for free.Jason received passport photos ok.We updated blog and put some more photos on, then sent Emails to kids and friends with a link to the blog. Stopped at Ruakaka and bought some fish and chips and bought back to site(they were heavenly), the batter was really light and crispy, the fish (Hoki) was really meaty, our first hot bought meal. Laid in sun and read befor going down to beach, the tide was a long way out,had a paddle then sat on the sand for an hour before going back to van, started to cloud over a bit from 4.30.still full up from fish and chips so just had tea and biscuits for dinner. Backed up photos then went back down to beach for a walk, tide now in but very windy.

29 October Saturday

Sunny one side of the van and cloudy the other. Put bedding outside to air and went for strip wash in van rather than cold shower. Had a family of quail come to visit us.

decided to stay on site another night. Colin rang Sandra and everything ok at home.

Went to Waipu Museum in the morning, it tells the story of the Scots who left Scotland for Nova Scotia but as times were just at hard there they moved to New Zealand in the 1850s, the way they worked with the maori and the community they set up at Waipu, including at the beginning of January a Highland games, we watched a short video of a bi-ennial rugby match between Waipu and a town from south island called Colco, the team from Waipu play wearing kilts-you wouldn't want to laugh at them. whilst we were out the site manager Sandy charged the computer battery for us, what nice people. Had another walk on the beach, the sun didn't properly come out till 4.30 today but still warm, it is so nice.Cooked last stir fry with brocolli (Colin will be pleased). Walked around site again before going to bed - bit chillier now in the wind.

North Island travels

15 October Saturday

What a night-rain and freight trains all night. There is a railway line on a bridge running through the site (we thought it was disused) the trains are long and go through very slowly.Apart from that a lovely sunny morning, another good chat in kitchen then left camp around 9.30 ish

IMPORTANT WE HAVE LOST WEIGHT OUR BELTS HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED.

Went into Picton after it had stopped raining and found a library, took in laptop charged it and downloaded journal into the blog-we also figured out how to insert photos into the script, by then time to leave for lunch and queue up for ferry. Ferry is quite small compared to our cross channel ferries,didnt seem to have stabilisers going across Cook Strait,other than that lovelly trip with fantastic scenery.

 About an hour before arrival at Wellington a message came over tannoy "all cakes and sandwiches $1 each" - managed to get 6 cakes and a big ciabatta for lunch tomorrow. Off ferry quite quickly and at camp Elsdon, Porirua just after 6 pm,booked in for 2 nights, only $40. Lady in the office very helpfull she gave us a timetable for trains into Wellington and a streetmap to get us to the station in the morning. It is a small site and you can just see the sea from the van.Lovely chilling evening when just before 8o'clock a family of 4 kids and 2 adults arrived in a van like ours. how they all slept in it we dont know.

16 October Sunday

Bit of rain in the night but sunny this morning -hot showers yet again.Free parking at railway station and the ticket office was closed so had to buy tickets on the train, only $10 return each, it was approximately 30 mins on the train. Weater a bit wet and overcast on walk to the Te Papa museum on Cable st. Had a coffee on arrival before starting museum, at 11 37 we went to learn how to do the Haka, you stand in front of a screen on which is your personal tuitor,after learning each move you then do the whole thing in one go(bloody laff), when you get out after 6 mins you get to see a film of yourself doing it (what pratts). It is impossible to do justice to the place in one day, there are a lot of interactive displays and even the kids areas were fun.

 By 2 30 we were knackered and had a cup of tea before the walk back to the station along the scenic waterfront.

There are a lot more people out now and the weather is glorious.

Back at camp just before 5pm-long tiring day.cooked yet another stir fry-we are so healthy.Just as going to bed the family with the 4 kids turn up again and parked right next to us (the site is bloody empty) and they have another kid with them.

17 October Monday

Left site after 9 30 and went to Pirates of the Caribean mini golf, Colin won by 2 this time and we both got a hole in one on the last hole.

Decided to make our way to New Plymouth for tonight (highway 1 is not the most scenic road), more mountains

The weather has started to turn a bit wet after Levin ,

 it got really dificult to drive as the wind got up and rain got heavier, arrived at Fitzroy campsite 5ish, its right on the beach if we could see it through the cloud and rain ($32 for one night-ouch). The kitchen has to be seen to be believed, one hot plate with only one working ring, the other is straight out of the sixties and the wiring is appalling either taped or left bare, still managed to cook yet another stir fry then ate last cake from ferry. Weather forcast not very good over the next few days.

18 October Tuesday

Very rainy and windy night. Showers ok. Toasters do not work in kitchen, took photos of wiring and state of kitchen-should be condemned.

On our way to Waitomo caves today. Rose drove for about an hour and even managed twisty bits with bends of 25 kph (pat on back).

Arrived at caves just before noon and booked in for the Glow worm caves at 12 30 and Aruni caves 2 pm. Just had time to get to first cave to be met by our guide Evelin. The caves are very different to lime stone caves in the UK, they are so creamy white in colour, we arrived at a boat then the lights were turned off and the boat slowly floated into the Glow worm cave, site was amazing ,all those glow worms lighting up the roof of the cave was like the night sky.Just had time to get back to van to drive the 3k to Aruni cave, stuffed some food down our throats before the next tour, whilst waiting for the guide the heavens opened and poured with rain. As the guide arrived the rain stopped and she led us up a track to the cave entrance, which looked like a slit in the rock. Again amazing so white and creamy in colour which the guide said was due to the lack of minerals in the soil, we were told they think the caves continue for another 20k,took loads of photos hope they turn out.

went round discovery center at ticket office before deciding to go to a DOC site at Pureora. Torrential rain

                                           COME ON YOU BOYS

 then sunshine before arriving at 5pm.(Ngaherenga). We were the only ones on the site till 7 30 when an estate car turned up. Good site and loo looks new, only cost $10 in honesty box.

19 October Wednesday

It rained all night and this morning dosn't look much better. when left site continued on Link Road throught the forest to Kakapo-26km of mostly gravel and very twisty. Now heading towards Taupo then Napier. Just before Taupo there was silver pipework following the road?? stopped at edge of lake for coffee to see a Hole in One golf challenge taking place, visibility could be better, also saw some black swans on the lake further along.

 On the Thermal Highway to Napier weather became sunny but threateneing rain, which it did when we stopped for lunch-typical. Approx 30km from Napier at Te Pohue could see the sea and coastline. Found parking on Marine parade at Napier, on the parade was a SK8 park for kids where they could hire boards or scooters, they even had a skip filled with foam blocks for the kids to jump into. Had a walk round looking at the Art Deco building,

a bit disppointing, decided to go to Mcdonalds to catch up with internet but their internet access not working. Decided to go to another DOC site at Waikare river Mouth near Putorino, arrived at 5pm with already 2 other campers at site, it is at the end of a twisty gravelly road -FREE.

Forgot that early part of today got stopped by police as tracked vehicle had fallen on railway line at side of raod, whilst waiting a car pulled alongside the police car and had to jumpstart it-photo taken.

then main road north of Napier they found a woman's body in a ditch at the side of the road, we wondered why a tent was covering the ditch when we passed this morning-now we know.

Went for a short walk after dinner, part to the track is unusable due to coastal erosion (2km walk to beach)on way back went through a rather boggy bit- good job had on boots as Rose got covered up to ankles. funny evening, trying to put bed together whilst in the van and raining outside just mentioned how could 3 men live in the van, then Colin thought he could see balloons outside when it got dark.

20 October Thursday

Woke up and decided to stay at site today, leisurely breakfast-other campervan left site then another car arrived to camp with the exisiting family of campers. sunny but windy today after a bit of rain in the night. Spent the morning reading and after lunch walked the twisty path to the beach-it was not 10 minutes as per the sign. It was very windy on the beach, there were lots of tree trunks laying around and somebody had built a shelter, it was a nice walk.

when got back played cards and read, had another stirfry. Just before bed someone arrived in a 4x4 towing a caravan and pulled up beside us - we think he left it there so we didn't have to see him reverse a caravan in long grass- there was plenty of room elsewhere on the site.

21 October Friday

Woke early today and left site by 8.30am. Stopped in Wairoa to use the library to find it shut (Hawkes Bay area having a 4 day weekend holiday). Went onto the hot springs at Morere (wellsignposted) only $8 each including towel hire, it was 39 degrees in the hot pool, heaven,actually sweating whilst swimming. Rose went into cold pool up to her knees, Colin was a wimp. What a nice interlude, after showers we were both hungry so stopped and had drink and cookies. Drove onto Gisborne to use their library, caught up with kids quickly before carrying on Highway 2 towards Wairata where we hope to camp tonight. Found the DOC site (Mangapuka) beside a river, lovely setting, we just got out the chairs and sat in the sunshine-it was hot. Had a walk down to the river which was cold,

 how the boys at the next pitch dived in I don't know.

We have had a condensation problem with the bottom of the mattresses getting wet, finally finished drying them in the sun, even remembered to put on insect repellant, nice evening.

22 October Saturday

Insect repellant didn't work , my legs and feet are so itchy with bites, Colin seems to have escaped.

left site at 8.30ish ($7 for the night), weather is brightening as we go, stopped just before 10 for coffee at a rest stop next to beach near Opotiki-lovely. Drove into Whakatane(they pronounce Wh as F) seems a nice place on the coast,before taking highway 30 to Kawera(the place where council Colin's father was exiled to after shooting a copper in Oz), not a lot there.

 Decided to stop in Rotorua for 2 nights at Redwood Holiday Park ($60),arrived early afternoon. Talking to the lady who owns the site , they have sold up and close the end of November (to a developer) she was also telling us that her and her husband are going to Bolton in April 2012 for 3 months staying with friends followed by a Mediterranean cruise.She was also telling us about going to see Te Puia which we will probably do tomorrow by ourselves. Had a walk, got as far as across the road to an Outdoorsman shop,bought some gas cans and some insect repellant patches,then went back to site to catch up with journal, and charge both phone and camera batteries. Had sausage and mash for dinner (no broccoli). Stuck insect repellant patches on curtains when went to bed.

23 October Sunday

sent text to Emma as it is her birthday.

Noisy last night with cars and doors slamming. My left foot was very itchy and sore in the night. Had egg on toast for breakfast, makes a change from cornflakes or toast.

Went to Te Puia today which is the NZ Maori Arts and crafts Institute, went for the combo of guided tour and authentic Maori concert (cost $57 each butcos paid by mastercard got 15% discount-result). we gathered at the gateof the Meeting House

 and were greeted by a gentleman who told us how to approach and behave inside the house. He then chose Colin to be our chief for the ceremony, a Maori came out of the house and did a Haka to Colin

 and laid a leaf on the ground that Colin had to pick up and then back away, he led us to the house where we had to leave our shoes outside. I was called to the front to walk in with Colin.

colin and the guide sat in the front row with me behind, as only men can sit in front seats, the performeres then gave us a son of greeting and Colin had to go up and touch noses twice with each male. the guide left and sat me in the seat next to Colin, we had to remain seated for the performance but were allowed to take photos.

I was called onto stage with other women and we were shown how to dance using a rope with a ball on the end-lost my coordination a bit but it was good fun. colin and other men were taken onto to the stage and had to do the Haka. Great show.

when we got outside an american lady asked Colin if she could take his photo-fame.

Just had to time to get to meeting area for guided tour-our guide had a good Maori name of Paul, he told us until the settlers arrived the Maori did not have a written language,and they have only 14 letters in their alphabet with no F which is why WH is the f sound, locally the site is known as Waka keeping the H silent otherwise it would be WHAKA, the real namen is Te whakarewarewa.

Paul took to the Carving School to see the work

-you can only enrol if you are male and have Maori blood with the training taking 3 years. the carving was amazing. the weaving school he showed us how flax is used to make rope and the traditional skirts.

 He asked who liked reading and I was the only one who put a hand up, he gave me what he had been making to me as a bookmark.

colin has a leaf and I have a bookmark.

Paul then took us to see the Pohutu Geyser as it was preparing to erupt (which it does 20 times a day), it was amzing watching it get bigger reaching up to 30 metres,

we then walked onto the big mudpool where the temperature is 90degrees.

Went and had a bit of lunch before the crowds and got talking to an australian couple from Victoria. John gave Colin information about maps by Hema which show the all the tracks in Oz and the CB channels to use, he also gave him his home address should we be passing-nice couple.

went back into park and had a wander by ourselves returning to the Kiwi house-they are nocturnal so no lights or camereas allowed, strange birds. Scooted round gift shop and bought another sticker before finding a supermarket and a pharmacy for anthhistamine tablets (pharmacist was telling me that studies have shown blood groups A and AB are sweeter tasting to the biting insects, great I'm A)

Back to camp to cook steak and jacket spuds, the steaks were enormous then in tv loounge sorting photos to go into blog, decided not to watch Rugby final.

From Singapore to end of South Island travel

26 September 2011

Colin didn't have the bullfrog in the end, it put him off seeing them moving around before you chose your meal.

Heard the grand prix last night and the fireworks at the end of the race, I slept badly and woke up about 8ish, there was a thunder storm in the night, so not quite do humid, very slow morning went out for breakfast to local cafe, we had something that looked like a pancake with egg and cheese in it, different, went back to Hotel, felt really tired.

Decided to visit the Changi Museum before going to airport, checked out of hotel who ordered a taxi for us, $12.

the museum was worth the trip we hired the audio equipment to go round the exhibits, it was very moving and so sad when you find out the japanese invasion was a bluff which we fell for, but then ingenuity of the internees and how got through such awful times. stopped for a bite of lunch before gettign taxi to airport, well early, then the flight was delayed by over an hour after a gate change. Jetstar is an airline that is not held in high regard, you have to pay for everything unless , like us we were booked from another carrier, so we got dinner and very strange breakfast of vegetable dumplings and noodles, loads of legroom on the plane.

27 september 2011

Plane landed in auckland over an hour late 11.05am, couldn't believe how quickly we got through customs, immigration and biosecurity-they did have to wash our boots-we were out an on our way to Domestic terminal within an hour. we couldn't book in till 14.25 so went outside and got talking to a girl by the name of Lou who was on a 12 month work exchange with Virgin Atlantic in Oz, she lives just round corner from sandie in cippenham.

Flight with Jetstar was on time and early landing in Christchurch, caught taxi to Designer Cottage in Sydenham (south Christchurch), it is lovely and Chet the iwner was very welcoming-he had upgraded out room to an ensuite. What a great bed brilliant night's sleep,bit chilly this morning, left bags at B&Bwhilst we picked up campervan, only 10-15 minute walk to Escape rentals, as we were the first customers of the day we had first pick and chose Juice a Toyota Hiace with more headroom, took about an hour to go through the paperwork etc. The bloke dealing with us was originally from the UK and was very helpful telling us where to find the nearest supermarket and petrol station, we started with 265360kms on the clock. Found way to campsite settling in for 3 night stay.

30 September

Campsite 219 on Johns, settled in and sorted van loads of storage. Campsite is great with TV lounge, fully fitted kitchen and laundry.

Thursday

After a slow start decided to visit Canterbury Museum-just outside earthquake zone-with parking at Hagley Park just a short walk away. It was fascinating, telling the story of the Maori and the early settlers, to a pictoreal display of the All Blacks, display of the first Antarctic expeditions, and a display of photographs of a well known NZ photographer (can't remember name think Barker). We left just after 4pm and still hadn't seen everything-RECOMMENDED.

Friday

Lovely hot showers this morning, we have been told about free wifi use at local libraries by a cyclist from Essex called Colin, he has been round Oz and is now cycling NZ. Found local Redwood library on Main Road North and caught up with blog, emails and facebook, it seems we can use our own computer in the libraries, will remember for next time. Tried to watch rugby on TV but only on Sky or Maori TV.

1 October

We left campsite 9.30ish to go towards Geraldine, took scenic route 72, very straight road and lots of sheep and cows. Could still see snow on the mountain tops, day has started sunny.

Stopped at Rakaia gorge and had a walk along an overgrown scenic path and dropped down into gorge-not much water-had to climb out using a ladder.

Stopped for lunch beside another little river before continuing down to our campsite for 2 nights called Grumpy's Retreat, it was a very quiet site, Grumpy was saying bookings were down due to Rugby World Cup as people staying near cup game sites.

Fantastic kitchen facilities, they have fully fitted kitchens at all campsites in NZ for use of campers. tried to watch England match but Sky not working.

2 October

Up and away early just after 9am to go to farmers market at Timaru, bit of a let down, had a walk through the park next to beach went to visit the Maori Rock Art Centre. We had a Maori guide by the name of Carl Russell. The centre had been open less than a year. Carl could trace his ancestry back to the beginning of the known history, and had been raised in the heritage. The tour should have been an hour but lasted 3 hours, it was fascinating, Carl told us about the different shapes/depictions and how over time they were fading in the limestone. The art on display had been dug out illegally many years before and had been rescued before they left the country. He also told us of his children, his daughter was working and living in Christchurch at the time of the earthquake 22 February 2011, and has remained to do what she can, his son used to play Rugby for NZ under 19s and had played professional rugby in several countries in Europe. Carl told us of the similarities between the Maori and American Indians-he is off to California in2012 to learn of their festivals-his first time outside NZ. Carl also took part in filming with Ray Mears when he did a programme on the Maori a few years ago. The time went so quickly.

3/4 October

Found the library in Geraldine and updated facebook and checked emails, Karen has sent a weekly update -Emma has been round with the kids for Craig to sort out Skype for her then they went to see Natalie and Robyn.

Headed south -very straight roads again -and stopped for lunch at Waitaki river bridge,

got talking to a couple on their honeymoon from Northern Ireland for the Rugby, they were telling us they took their campervan off road and when they checked in back they had broken all the crockery -oops. It explained all the campervans travelling north the qualifying matches were finished.

Decided to visit the Vanished World Centre at Duntroon,

 there we met 2 lovely gentlemen Burns Pollock and John Hore, it cost only $5 each and is a community funded project which started approx 10 years ago when fossils and bones were discovered on land owned by John and others.



Depending who was free, they told us about the local finds some of which predate finds in other parts of the world, whilst we were chatting we were offered a cup of coffee and Burns asked if he could draw me whilst Colin was talking to John. Whislt in conversation John told us how part of his land at Antani and Elephant Rocks

was used in the filming of Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, as Aslan's camp, he then asked us to stay overnight at his farmhouse. We went off to get a bottle of wine from the Kerrow winery nearby-Pinot Grisot and to stop at the elephant rocks on the way, I could only see 3 elephants.

Arrived at John's to find his wife Margaret was out for the night, so John cooked suauges and roasted veg for dinner with homemade gooseberry sauce, the wine was lovely.

He told us about the filming and preparation prior to the cast arriving, new road and access had to be built for catering units and toilets (600 people). He showed us a scrapbook he kept of that time with photos , he said Tilda Swinton was great with the grandchildren.

He told us he sold most of the farmland a few years ago but had kept 100 acres to potter around along with his commitments to the Vanishing world centre and trails.

When Margaret arrived home they were telling us about their 3 month trip to Europe last year, travelling uk by hire car, bus tour of europe and then by rail independantly in Europe.

Over breakfast Margaret asked if we were staying (last visitor stayed 6 weeks), but we had to move on, lovely warm welcoming couple.

Drove down to Moeraki boulders, and had first walk along a NZ beach, weather could have been a bit warmer, the boulders are so strange really round.

 Travelled on to Otago Peninsula near Dunedin to campsite for 2 nights, found very windy roads on way to site.

5 October

Leisurely morning downloading photos onto computer, drove to Penguin Place but tour too expensive so went onto Albatross colony centre, didn't do the tour but they had a small history gallery, able to walk to cliff edge and see the Shags nesting-sunny but cold wind-views were stunning.

6 October

Bit cold last night, early start, heading to Invercargill. Followed scenic coastal road, very windy, to Slope Point-southern most point of south island-5140 kms to equator 4830 kms to south pole, amazing cliffs.

 Drove further on to a small bay for lunch where the worst shipwreck in NZ history happened in 1881, tide not out far enough for us to see it. Met a lady who was fishing for whitebait (nothing like the whitebait at home), she came from Gore and currently has her son serving in Afghanistan in NZ airforce. Drove onto Bluff and found signpost showing over 18000kms to London,

 Colin got talking to a German couple on motorbikes, which they containered to OZ and travelled around country for 10 months before coming to NZ and then onto south america, they were on a 3 year trip. they had stayed on some good DOC sites but the weather had been very cold at times-ice on tent in the morning. Then got talking to an Irish couple who were in middle of 7 weeks in NZ before going onto Oz. arrived at Beach Tourist Pk Ivercargill about 4.30ish for the night, another good site.

7 October Friday

Loosing track of days of the week.

Good sleep, great showers again, before leaving site to go towards Queenstown, found supermarket on way out of town to resupply. I took over driving to give Colin a chance to sightsee, unfortunately long straight roads again

 till past Lumsden, when we started climbing and found the windy roads following the Lake Wakatipu,absolutely stunning as were the views,

 but Rose bottled out driving as the traffic queues behind were growing so Colin took over .As the day went on the weather improved and getting out of the wind it got very hot.Stopped in Queenstown to use library had to pay $2 for 30mins,had a walk down to lakeside and bought a couple of souvenirs before making towards Makarora to find a DOC site for the night ,found Kidds Bush by luck as satnav only recognised part of the road the rest was down 6km of dirt track to the site ,its absolutely fantastic by the lakeside

.Lake Hawea. There were only a couple of other campers on site then 3 German lads turned up with a tent followed by a homemade campervan towing a 4x4 with a rubber boat on the top .After dinner we had a walk to the lake and played skimming stones across the water ,we both scored a 6 ,lovely evening.

8 October Saturday

Had rain in the night, but lovely morning getting sunnier all the time, left site about 9ish making for Haast-windy roads again- visited Haast beach

 where the waves were amazing looking out towards Tasman Basin. Colin still driving as roads to Fox glacier still windy and also very hilly, some bends have to slow down to 25km-very challenging (I am scared of windy roads with big drops. why do we always find them!!!). On the road into the site there were signposts to show how much the glacier had shrunk back in the last century,

 we also had to go over speed humps the first of which Colin took a bit fast and we could hear a load of clattering coming from the back of the van, when we stopped we discovered one of the mugs had been thrown from the sink to the other side of the van and was still in one piece .Left car and walked 500m up to Fox Glacier , to get to within 400m of base.

The scenery has been stunning today but very blowy in places which has made the driving tiring.

We carried onto Hokitika for the night with me driving for the last 50-60km as roads not so challenging,Hokitika Holiday Park for the night again good site. watched end of Ireland/Wales game with Wales winning 22-10, started to watch England/France but after French try went to bed.

9 October Sunday

Slow start, got talking to older couple in kitchen who are on 5 week tour from Hamilton, he originally came from Brakcley. After filliin up with water on road at 10.15. Made ourway to Arthurs pass weather improving as we go -sunny

Met a friend (Kea) on the way the only parrot in NZ and it likes rubber!

-stopped at Devils Punchbowl waterfall at the Arthurs Pass village but didn't fancy the 1 hour walk to base of waterfall.

as usual on very windy roads with lovely drops!!!!!

Stopped at Lake Pearson for lunch, Colin spoke to Colin T and we are getting to them tomorrow night for a few days.

Made our way to DOC site (Grey River, Ashley Forest) 20 km west of Amberley, Crampton BushR road not on satnav, but we just followed our noses, gravel road very windy again and hilly-logging roads-when we arrived lots of kids already campe. It is in the middle of the forest. Downloaded photos onto computer only taken just over 300 so far. after dinner took some wood over to the kids for the fire and joined them for a while, they range in age from 14-19 and are camping for 2 nights, nice bunch made us feel welcome, we left them to it before dark.

10 October Monday

thought felt tremor soon after went to bed. Cold night the windows were frosted when we woke up, glad not camping and in the van with 2 duvets. The loo is a hole in the ground in a shed and the door doesn't shut -oh well. the sun is coming up nicely, left camp 9ish heading to Hanmer springs. Yet again windy hilly roads,

 nice resort town but didn't go to pool as cost $18 each , worth it if going to spend day, had a coffe and yummy cholcolate cake in Log cabin cafe.

Onto Kaikoura, dropped down across country via Waiu and Rotherham to Hawkswood, to join the coast road, the sea looks amazing due to the strong easterly winds,

 Colin spotted a seal but couldn't get photo quick enough. Kaikoura was a nice little town where we picked up a postcard for littluns. Stopped at Ohau Point Lookout to see the fur seals, most of them were laying in the sun on the rocks but a few were play fighting or pups suckling with mum, great sight.

travelled onto Blenheim and arrived just after 6pm at Jan's (colin t's new partner, she is a lovely lady and it was good to catch up with CT. the 2 Colin's just talked all night before CT took us to his house for the next 2 nights.

11/12 October

Had an easy day after good sleep, had to go shopping as Colin had volunteered us to cook dinner tonight, then went to MacDonalds to use free wifi. caught up with emails sending messages to Natalie, Robyn and Natalie, Colin downloaded campermate.co.nz onto his ipod. another nice evening, Jan had a Pavlova for dessert, it was scrumptious.

woken up by Phoenix Personnel at 6am ringing the wrong Colin!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 how stupid.

Now my phone is suddenly calling out?

Filled up with fuel and dropped key at Jan's, she had left us a lovely note and a kiwi pin.

Drove to Nelson and then onto Takaka, the roads were challeging from Upper Takaka, had to slow to 15km for some bends, scenery different again with vineyards and orchards before climbing into the forests.

THE THINGS SOME PEOPLE DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND IT WAS FOR SALE??

weather good to start but soon after arriving at Takaka it started raining. strange man at campsite.

13 October thursday

Sunny skies after a warm night, showers hot and powerful. As we were packing up got talking to a young couple who had pulled into campsite to use the showers, they have been in the North Island for 4 months aftern buying an ex campervan from escape rentals for $2000. they have been camping free a lot and use swimming pools and campsites for showers costing about $5, we gave them details of DOC sites we had used and campermate. The camp owner came over and told us about happnz and happycampers, he also gave us a local map and suggest we visit Pupu springs just outside Takaka, well worth a visit.

 we then headed back to Motueka (the road back not as bad as yesterday) still scary for Rose

. Took road to Kohatu then onto Kawatiri Junction our free stop for the night. It used to be a railway station and we had a walk over the river and along the disused railway tunnel (1923). Another van turned up with 6 young people but they were very quiet-lots of flies.

14 October Friday

Had rain in the night but not cold,left camp abut 8.30 towards St Arnaud, blink and you miss it, up to Renwick and Havelock before joining the Queen Charlotte Drive to Picton, colin had to take over driving due to the roads again-hairpin bends. the views were amazing across the sounds, wepassed a couple of good campsites at the waters edge

  arrived in Picton 12.30 ish so booked ferry for tomorrow at 2pm with Bluebridge ($193 dollars cheaper than expected). Parked in nearby park near the harbour and museums, after lunch we had a game of mini golf and I got 2 holes in 1 and beat Colin by 4 strokes (Iususally lose),the weather looked a bit grim so we went into the Picton Museum, whilst in there we had a thunderstorm and torrential rain and it got noticeably colder.
Found Alexanders campsite Canterbury st ,just before 4pm,looks ok.Popped to local shop for baccy and chocolate before visiting the first ever bar on our travels,for a couple of pints and a go on their meat raffle. Its not like a pub at home, it had a massive gambling area within the pub which included slots,horses dogs harness racing electronically.Prices for drinks on par with home.There was also another torrential whilst in the pub (so i hwd to have another pint).

Met a couple in the kitchen whilst cooking dinner , he is an Oz and she is Canadian. They are travelling round NZ before going on to Oz they've just finished working as teachers, they seem to be a well travelled couple both separately and together,he knew of Kettering as he supported the Saints whilst in the UK.nice evening. Wish we were told about the trains.