Feb 18th
The glacier climb was fantastic, really enjoyable. Did not realize it was going to be so big. Its so big it moves 5m a day. Well we went to the shop and got fitted for our raincoats and clampons and boots and stuff and then we were off. We got to the bottom of the glacier and looked up and it did not seem too far away but it was in fact about a 3 mile walk and everytime we stopped to admire the scenery or waterfall or such it still looked the same distance away and it stayed that distance until we were upon it. It was really strange to climb on the ice, you could hear bits breaking off and falling and it was hard to trust the clampons, , especially in some areas where the ice looked a bit thin or there were lots of pools on top cause you imagine the crust being a bit thin and falling through but its actually miles thick and wide and although it does stress and break in places the guides know what areas are safe. Glad we did not do this one on our own, people do as in nz the parks are owned by the people and you can climb, swim, fish anywhere, which is great but can be a bit dangerous for idiots.
Well we walked a bit of the way along the glacier and got more and more confident and trusting of the clampons and it was great, we went under ice made arches and tunnels and we got our red lion flag out to take pictures, had a lovely, climb, walk and explore but it started to get a bit chilly so after a snack we started our decent. (See I am an explorer using correct words and all now) which was a bit hard on Jims knees, good job we have travelled now as I think his knees will not let him climb in future years, so at least we will have done a abit of climbing with robin.,.
Got back to the village and bought a cooked chicken and drove to picnic spot at Fox Glacier to eat it (car park) Had a quick walk and gander at the Fox Glacier Mint!!!! And then back into the car to drive as near to queenstown as we can get. There was no accommodation available at Haast so Jim had to keep driving then we reached Makarora and there was a pub and campsite. I went and asked if they had accommodation and the man said he had very basic accommodation but jim really wanted a beer so we took it. Well it was a tin shed and the communal toilets stank but it was late and we wwere tired so we went to the bar, I had 2 beers and had to leave jim there, it does not take long for me to get tipsy I am out of practice since xmas. Well just as robin aand I were nearly asleep guess who came home making loads of noise and very very happy.
Feb 19th
On the road again but nice and sunny got to Wanaka and stopped for breakfast in a lovely place, sat and chatted in the sun then took the windy road over the mountains which was quite stunning especially as the day was clear and you could see for miles, jim kept stopping to take pictures, from the top of the mountain you could see queenstown . Only stayed about an hour in queenstown had drive round, went in for a drink then wnet to frankton and bought jim a fishing rod. Had tried to get jim a fishing rod when we first arrived but he would not have one, said he would not see anything if he had a fishing rod as I would not be able to drag him away from the lakes!!! Well he has one now and I bet it does not stop raining now!!!!
Reached Kingston and we have got an allotment shed with roses round the door and two bunk beds!! Joy! There is not a lot to Kingston except the steam railway that is still operating. Jim wants to go on it tomorrow before we leave. Walked around the lake a bit then went for dinner and to buy jim a fishing licence. Went back to cabin to watch gone wit the wind on dvd on computer. Opened the box to put on and box empty. Had not checked when we bought it, how daft are we.
Feb 20th
On the Kingston Express first thing. Was actually a great experience though I am not into trains. The first class private cabins were like off the old Sherlock holmes films. Wished we had dressed in old fashioned clothes and made an occasion of it. It was great fun going in the different coaches and out into the fresh air between the coaches. They are all very different and seeing the smoke and hearing the very loud whistle was great. Enjoyed loads more than I thought I would, couldn’t believe robin when the conductor asked him if he would like to punch everyones ticket he turned down the job, I felt like offering but thought jim might get jealous so I held back, (that doesn’t happen often). All in all great fun that would recommend to anyone. In fact I think all the webs will have to have a day out on the old steam train in England all dressed up in old fashioned clothes, the flying Scotsman or orient express or maybe Hogwarts express. What fun!!
Back in car making for Te Anau. Got sorted, lovely room, luxury, fantastic as here for two nights!! Booked some excursions. Went to TeAnau glowworm caves, which were not as good as Waitamo but made for a pleasant boat ride and evening. Robin and I had a bit of a laugh as in the dark he kept holding my hand so I borrowed his finger and went to pick my nose, needless to say he did not find it funny but we both ended up in fits of giggles and got told to shushhhhh. Sort of makes up for all them licks and wet willys!
Feb 21st
Up early and woke robin, had a bit of a shock as he was covered in a quite severe rash. Calmed down and went to chemist to get some calamine lotion before drive to Milford Sound.. Absolutely wonderful, stunning scenery. Was raining so there were many quite gushing waterfalls, the mountains, lakes and waterfalls were lovely on the drive there which took two and half hours. At Milford Sound we boarded our boat and and started our cruise out to the Tasman sea. Just as we past the first waterfall we saw bottlenose dolphins, fantastic they had young and it was lovely to see the wild dolphins with their babies. The scenery was magical and the rainclouds made it seem other worldly. It was scenery that you couldn’t take pictures of, it wouldn’t show the size and grandure of the mountains and waterfalls. On the way back you could see how the early explorers missed the milford sound as you can see just mountains, they look joined, there does not seem to be a way through and then you go closer and find the water does go through to a great big expanse of water, fantastic. We saw fur seals lazing about on the rocks and loads of seabirds, we also saw more dolphins and then we went to the underwater observatory which is awesome. The observatory is built under the water in the sound, you have to climb down and look through the glass and you can see into the sound. We saw that the mussels had just spawned turning the water cloudy, and we saw loads of fish, starfish, black coral, sea cucumber, snake starfish and horse mussels, well I cannot remember the names of everything we saw but it was fab and I will never forget. Came back to our apartment and I cooked! Then chilled out. Looking forward to doubtful sound tomorrow.
Feb 22nd
Robin woke up covered in spots all over again but we packed and drove to Manapouri so that we could join our tour of the doubtful sound. Got there with a bit of time to spare so booked in a motel as didn’t think jim would feel like driving at 9pm and everywhere here shuts including the receptions at motels at 9 or 10pm. Boarded our boat for a trip across Manapouri Lake which was very beautiful. Stopped for a trip to the power station which was quite interesting mainly for jim but robin now understands electricity quite well now to. The boys were hungry so I pulled out the picnic I had prepared earlier and these two boys who do not really like sandwiches must have been starving as robin asked for more and ate his crust too!! While on the coach over the Wilmot Pass we met some people from Bishop Stortford who know Elaine, Abi and Robin from Steeple Bumpstead and we also met a family from Aberdeen where libs is, what a small world eh!! Anyway we drove through the rainforest and beautiful waterfalls to Deep Cove where we boarded another boat to cruise up the sound. Well I still haven’t got the words to describe the views, wonder, vastness and beauty of it all and I doubt our photos will do it justice but it is other worldly beautiful with the clouds. Whilst we cruised along we saw seals, dolphins and penguins, awesome, and I looked up some of the dolphins, they keep a book on board of the tagged ones and one of them is called Webb so a webb lives in doubtful sound (my god, they get everywhere!!)
I would not have wanted to be an explorer in the early days, would never have found my way back, the entrances are only entrances when you get up right close from a few feet it just looks like one mountain after another. We saw where there had been a tree avalanche which is quite spectacular. Would have liked to do this sound in a canoe over a couple of days but we have no time left and it is really wet, damp and rainy, well I suppose it would be being a rainforest and we did have a good run of bright sunshine in the middle of the day. We were al worn out when we got home at 9pm, so it was dinner and a bit of tv, (being as we are in motel!).
Feb 23rd
Robin still got a rash so went to the doctors in Ae Anau, well the population here is 3000 and I think every one of them must have been to the doctors that morning, so we had to wait ages and ages. I wanted to leave after an hour but jim said it wouldn’t be much longer. (I am paying to wait, I get upset!!) Never mind. The good news is that it is an allergy rash (like I said) and as long as we do not sleep with ticks or fleas or whatever he should soon clear up.Spent most of the day travelling and reached Oamaru quite late but hope to go and see the blue penguins in a mo.

Feb 13th cont….
Well we ate robins salmon last night, cooked on the bbq. I started a bottle of wine and ended up phoning Libs at 6.30am there. Sorry Libs. Boys watched a dvd on computer in tent and I cut off my cast, very liberating!
Feb 14th
Jim told me Happy Valentines Day at 730am this morning and then went back to sleep. Amazing considering we are on the noisiest campsite ever and it was hard to sleep in the night how he did it this morning I just do not know. There is a wine festival here in Marlborough County today but we are going to motor on as time is getting a bit short and there is still so much to see and do. Feel a bit sad we do not have time to stay and go to festival as everyone is very excited about it, everyone is very chatty as we queued up for showers and walked about campsite this morning.
We motored through more country/mountainside, scenery stunning but too windy for me, why are mountains curved? The sea here is wild and rocky and rough, very beautiful and it takes my mind off the carsickness, thank god. There is miles and miles of coastline all rugged and awesome. We arrived in Kaikoura and got a cabin at the campsite, settled in and went and booked whalewatching boat for tomorrow and seal swimming on Monday, had a walk through town and then got the car as killer whales, orcas had been spotted by the white rock \Barney, so we drove 15mins and settled down to wait for the orcas; It was freezing, and we saw quite a few seals but no orcas came up to eat them. Never mind, we will see whales tomorrow. We then went to the place Seal Point but we did not see any seals there, looked in rock pools and saw loads of different things, had a competition to see who could get the limpet off the rocks first but no one won as we could not get the limpets off. We also did a few local senic points but it was freezing so we did not do too many. We then went to an Irish bar for dinner, our valentine treat and had a lovely evening.

Feb 15th
Went whale watching, oh how emotional, we did see loads but everytime I think I must have just stood there gobsmacked, I couldn’t help but cry its not something I ever dreamed I would ever see in a million years. Fortunately Jim took some photos and video. I still feel emotional now, how can we allow fishing of these magnificent beasts when they are already endangered. I have realized a dream of mine seeing these great creatures in the wild and I feel very lucky to have witnessed them, I just hope future generations get to see them. As impressive as pelicans, seals, sea otters and everything else we have gotton close to is, these whales just hold such power and somehow promise and hope. I hope they survive.
Jim had told me I would be disappointed and that we would only see the whales from a distance and then we would only see 1, how wrong. The first whale I saw I was up on deck first and it was the biggest of the day, I will never forget and unfortunately all jim and robin saw was when it was diving down and jim never got the camera out. Well imagine just a few seconds later we saw a plume and the boat rushed over and we saw more. All told we see 8 whales today and I had a fantastic, if emotional time. Jim and Robin also had a great time, everything was absolutely perfect, weather was sunny and sea not too bumpy, I suppose we could have seen one breach but I do not mind I saw the whales wild and relaxed, they were not all all phased by the boats and us.
On the way back to campsite I wanted to buy a keepsake just to remember this day, then I thought I will never forget this day anyway so bought a present for the future generation instead.
The weather has turned very warm again, thank goodness!!
Feb 16th
Woke up to rain and wind, so phoned the seal swimming guides to make sure we would still be going and all seal swimming had been cancelled due to the bad weather. (do not think robin and I are destined for seal swimming) Packed up and got in the car so that we could do a few miles. Left Kaikoura and made our way to Waiau where we stopped for a drink. There had been a murder in the village the night before, so the landlord of the pub was telling us, some bloke had had a drink in the pub and gone home murdered his wife put her in the bath and then woke up in the morning and went to work. The kids raised the alarm by going out into the street. The landlord was a bit of a character and we took it all with a pinch of salt and then we were back in the car again. It came over the radio exactly as the landlord said except they were looking for a mr jones in connection to the murder. (the landlord had not told us the name) Well we do bump into them. The murderer was a sheep shearer, well takes all sorts, but I am sure some jokes could be made about that.
Well once again we drove and drove round windy mountains and over beautiful streams and valleys and still we drove until we reached Reefton where we stopped as I had seen a post office and wanted to post some home. Reefton was a ghost town, used to be a mining town and was one of the first places in nz in 1888 to have electricity cause it was so rich from the quartz. It definitely is a ghost town now though, In the car again till we reached Greymouth which was our target today. Tried to get booked for fishing trips and stuff and unable so I went for a walk along the long long rugged stony beach which was beautiful then out for dinner and then read up on the glaciers as we are going to go glacier walking tomorrow or next day if we can get a guide.
Feb 17th
Went for a walk along the beach this morning. How come boys can skim stones and find great pleasure in doing so. It is one thing about them I cannot understand, probably because stones do not skim across the water when I throw them, they just sink. However, my boys had such fun choosing stones and skimming them this morning that we stayed longer on the beach than we meant to. The beach was from horizon to horizon and I could see not one other person on it, just us, it was lovely.By the time we drove to Franz Josef it was too late and too overcast to climb to the glacier today so we have booked a guide for tomorrow. They also would not let us do the full day walk saying that robin would only manage the half a day, I was going to insist they take us on the full day but then remembered jims knees and thought perhaps it would be best if we just did the half day as he has been suffering a bit . We are in a cabin again and its in the middle of nowhere, there is a lot of driving on the South Island

we have tickets for billy connolly!!!

and it was a great show!

Feb 8th
Woke up this morning with an awful pounding head, cannot think why!! My head was so bad there was no way I wanted to get moving before checkout at 10am and the boys were looking very soundly asleep so I phoned reception and booked another night. Glad I did as we had a lovely relaxing day. Bought an internet connection and looked up all the info I needed and emailed and read email and uploaded blog etc, it was lovely and peaceful till the boys awoke! We chilled and then went for a walk down in Wellington harbor where they were celebrating Chinese New Year. I was a lovely sunny day and we enjoyed the atmosphere and then had lunch and then visited the Wellington Museum. The museum was a nice surprise with loads of info but it shut before we were finished, how inconsiderate of them!! Hope to get back tomorrow. Spent night chatting, doing some homework and watching tv.
Feb 9th
Up and out, went on the tram up the hill and visited the tram museum, walked down through the botanical gardens which were sooo beautiful and relaxing (not that it takes a lot nowadays!) if you visit you must go and see their giant begonias, used to think mine got quite big! Went for a wander through the rest of town looking at old buildings shops and the harbor area again, went to Hutt for lunch and tried to get of ferry to south island early but were not allowed. Went back to Wellington (well its all within five mins drive, Wellington itself is only about 10 streets stscrap but I thought it was sad then again I would never rush to see a will smith film again as his last few have not been that great whereas before you could count on will smith for entertainment. We then tucked ourselves up in the car, our first night spent in the car, in a car park on the waterfront in Wellington!!
10th Feb
Am sitting on the ferry after having spent the night in the car with jims very smelly feet and farts and very very loud snoring, how comes he does not snore too much in bed but in the car its loud, very loud, had to wake him up once or twice! We were up early of course and one of the first cars on the ferry and we have seats upstairs now and I am starting to feel nearly human having had a wash in the toilet (how hygienic) and obviously feel better than jim who is looking only semi conscious in the seat but one from me. Am still disappointed that they did not take my cast off at the hospital yesterday (forgot to mention hospital in blog yesterday) but they took xray and said it can come off next week, yeh. I am sitting here now though smelling it and the cast definitely needs a shower. Its nearly 8.15 and I want to get up on deck to get some photos. Well, we had a lovely trip on the ferry, I had to play cards with robin cause he looked a bit green and felt sick but playing with him took his mind off it and by the end of the 3 hour journey he was up on deck watching land come closer and quite enjoying it. The weather today has been the worst since we have been in nz warm but cloudy with a bit of rain. Good job it happened while we were on the ferry!! Sunny again when we got off in Picton. Drove straight to Nelson and got cabin on campsite, jim was tired so he had a nap while robin and I went swimming. It was lovely, wonderful to stretch after being in car all night then on ferry then in car again. Went into nelson and got some money and stuff for brekkie then went to find stadium where billy Connolly is entertaining. Well, it was like a big village hall really quite small and it seems strange that he would perform for such a small audience. Managed to buy tickets straight away, jim was relieved and went for a beer. Robin really enjoyed the show and not a lot went above his head as billy is quite down to earth but there was some quite explicit stuff thati wish I had nt been sitting next to him for. Never mind, I will get him to ask his dad!!!!it was a great very very very funny night. Everything here reminds me of Scotland and I am missing libs and paulina loads, only a month to go and they will be here.
Feb 11
Just finished yesterdays as I write this in the car while travelling now that we have computer and I just saw a very romantic thing. In a rock pool (big, not like in England) someone had written in quite big stones ,marry me, how sweet, see men can be romantic, just thought I would share before I put computer away but I must say the scenery here is absolutely stunning and you can see to the bottom of the seas its sooo clean. We stopping now cause robin just spotted the swamp from lord of the rings. The south island is full of stuff from lord of the rings, we finally stopped in Marahau cause robin said he wanted to swim with the seals so we have booked for tomorrow, just have to wait and see if anyone else books as its 4 min so I hope so for robin. Checked into a place, its lovely but a whole flat seems too much, never mind its all about the same price around here and it is nice with separate bedrooms! Went for a walk this afternoon, after lunch in apartment, and we got a water taxi to a place called anchorage and walked for 5 hours back to the car. I really enjoyed it you can really look at the scenery here, you do not have to watch for bears or snakes or anything else, they have no wildlife so its actually quite boring but so boring you have time to look at the scenary which is not as nice or spectacular as other places but seems so as you have time to enjoy it. By the way I was thinking as I was walking and women of the world who worry about their boobs going south just come to the southern hemisphere and you can say they are going north!!!! Have thoughts like that when walking, good job do not walk too often eh! Ran the sink tonight just to check the water went the opposite way down plughole but I am confused. Anyway our walk was lovely all 5 hours and now both jim, majororly and robin minorly are experiencing knee pain, wimps!! I had lovely evening, cooked dinner, steak and spag and waited on the two invalids!! It was forecast rain today which is why we did not camp but it has been wonderfully sunny and warm so hope to camp tomorrow night but this place is lovely both the boys are laughing at the comedy dvd they borrowed!! And I have tried to get them to come on a walk to see more glowworms this evening but neither are up for it. said they saw enough in waitomo/ need the girls here.
Feb 12th
Haad to leave Marahau this morning without swimming with the seals as it was cancelled due to bad weather.. Never mind, we drove and drove and drove round and round the mountains, felt sick and ill, the mountains were very windy and it only looked like a small drive on the map but turned out to be a long long long long drive, for me anyway. Finally arrived at Takaka at the other end of abel tasman national park but could not find anywhere to stay so went a little further along to Pohara Beach where we stayed in a cabin on the top 10 campsite.. I was lovely in that our cabin backed right on to a long stretch of sandy beach but the downside was that it rained and rained and rained. We did go for a walk but it rained and rained so we ended up catching up on homework and playing in cabin.

Feb 13 (Friday)
I had enough of my cast so started cutting it off this morning, jim then got up and started helping but the nutter broke the sissors so I now have half a cast!! But its not as irritating as it was. Drove to a clinic to see if they would chop the rest off but no luck, so will have to get it seen to when we reach civilization. Went salmon fishing at a fish farm and robin caught his first salmon ever weighing in at 1.970kg. Made him kill and clean and they packed in ice so that we can eat later! Then back on the windy horrid, sickening mountain road. Which has amazingly beautiful views but makes me car sick. Just past a sign saying farewell to golden bay, well beautiful as it is I am sorry there is only one way in and one way out cause it makes me sick!!! However, very sunny today and strange mists up top, think the orcs might get us. Saw the horses from lord of the rings the other day would have gone riding if arm ok but do not want to break it again just yet!
Well, we survived the windy roads to end up in Blienham and it just so happens it’s the Marlborough Wine Festival starting today so everywhere is absolutely choc a bloc and we are camping in the tent again. Not so bad as I have had a glass of wine and by accident phoned Libs at 6am this morning your time. Of course, I was not pissed at 6am your time it was actually 9pm our time, I think.
Anyway we have been in the car most of the day seeing stunning scenery , most of which, so robin tells me is from scenes from Lord of the Rings. However I was glad to stop, I have now cooked dinner which was the salmon robin caught this morning, had to give loads away as it was such a big fish!! Am looking forward to whale watching and other things in the next few days but will be glad to get somewhere with a lovely soft bed tomorrow night!!! Bit fed up with camping but it makes our budget go further as cost about 15 pounds a night…. Great.. but….

Feb 8th
Woke up this morning with an awful pounding head, cannot think why!! My head was so bad there was no way I wanted to get moving before checkout at 10am and the boys were looking very soundly asleep so I phoned reception and booked another night. Glad I did as we had a lovely relaxing day. Bought an internet connection and looked up all the info I needed and emailed and read email and uploaded blog etc, it was lovely and peaceful till the boys awoke! We chilled and then went for a walk down in Wellington harbor where they were celebrating Chinese New Year. I was a lovely sunny day and we enjoyed the atmosphere and then had lunch and then visited the Wellington Museum. The museum was a nice surprise with loads of info but it shut before we were finished, how inconsiderate of them!! Hope to get back tomorrow. Spent night chatting, doing some homework and watching tv.
Feb 9th
Up and out, went on the tram up the hill and visited the tram museum, walked down through the botanical gardens which were sooo beautiful and relaxing (not that it takes a lot nowadays!) if you visit you must go and see their giant begonias, used to think mine got quite big! Went for a wander through the rest of town looking at old buildings shops and the harbor area again, went to Hutt for lunch and tried to get of ferry to south island early but were not allowed. Went back to Wellington (well its all within five mins drive, Wellington itself is only about 10 streets stscrap but I thought it was sad then again I would never rush to see a will smith film again as his last few have not been that great whereas before you could count on will smith for entertainment. We then tucked ourselves up in the car, our first night spent in the car, in a car park on the waterfront in Wellington!!
10th Feb
Am sitting on the ferry after having spent the night in the car with jims very smelly feet and farts and very very loud snoring, how comes he does not snore too much in bed but in the car its loud, very loud, had to wake him up once or twice! We were up early of course and one of the first cars on the ferry and we have seats upstairs now and I am starting to feel nearly human having had a wash in the toilet (how hygienic) and obviously feel better than jim who is looking only semi conscious in the seat but one from me. Am still disappointed that they did not take my cast off at the hospital yesterday (forgot to mention hospital in blog yesterday) but they took xray and said it can come off next week, yeh. I am sitting here now though smelling it and the cast definitely needs a shower. Its nearly 8.15 and I want to get up on deck to get some photos. Well, we had a lovely trip on the ferry, I had to play cards with robin cause he looked a bit green and felt sick but playing with him took his mind off it and by the end of the 3 hour journey he was up on deck watching land come closer and quite enjoying it. The weather today has been the worst since we have been in nz warm but cloudy with a bit of rain. Good job it happened while we were on the ferry!! Sunny again when we got off in Picton. Drove straight to Nelson and got cabin on campsite, jim was tired so he had a nap while robin and I went swimming. It was lovely, wonderful to stretch after being in car all night then on ferry then in car again. Went into nelson and got some money and stuff for brekkie then went to find stadium where billy Connolly is entertaining. Well, it was like a big village hall really quite small and it seems strange that he would perform for such a small audience. Managed to buy tickets straight away, jim was relieved and went for a beer. Robin really enjoyed the show and not a lot went above his head as billy is quite down to earth but there was some quite explicit stuff thati wish I had nt been sitting next to him for. Never mind, I will get him to ask his dad!!!!it was a great very very very funny night. Everything here reminds me of Scotland and I am missing libs and paulina loads, only a month to go and they will be here.
Feb 11
Just finished yesterdays as I write this in the car while travelling now that we have computer and I just saw a very romantic thing. In a rock pool (big, not like in England) someone had written in quite big stones ,marry me, how sweet, see men can be romantic, just thought I would share before I put computer away but I must say the scenery here is absolutely stunning and you can see to the bottom of the seas its sooo clean. We stopping now cause robin just spotted the swamp from lord of the rings. The south island is full of stuff from lord of the rings, we finally stopped in Marahau cause robin said he wanted to swim with the seals so we have booked for tomorrow, just have to wait and see if anyone else books as its 4 min so I hope so for robin. Checked into a place, its lovely but a whole flat seems too much, never mind its all about the same price around here and it is nice with separate bedrooms! Went for a walk this afternoon, after lunch in apartment, and we got a water taxi to a place called anchorage and walked for 5 hours back to the car. I really enjoyed it you can really look at the scenery here, you do not have to watch for bears or snakes or anything else, they have no wildlife so its actually quite boring but so boring you have time to look at the scenary which is not as nice or spectacular as other places but seems so as you have time to enjoy it. By the way I was thinking as I was walking and women of the world who worry about their boobs going south just come to the southern hemisphere and you can say they are going north!!!! Have thoughts like that when walking, good job do not walk too often eh! Ran the sink tonight just to check the water went the opposite way down plughole but I am confused. Anyway our walk was lovely all 5 hours and now both jim, majororly and robin minorly are experiencing knee pain, wimps!! I had lovely evening, cooked dinner, steak and spag and waited on the two invalids!! It was forecast rain today which is why we did not camp but it has been wonderfully sunny and warm so hope to camp tomorrow night but this place is lovely both the boys are laughing at the comedy dvd they borrowed!! And I have tried to get them to come on a walk to see more glowworms this evening but neither are up for it. said they saw enough in waitomo/ need the girls here.
Feb 12th
Haad to leave Marahau this morning without swimming with the seals as it was cancelled due to bad weather.. Never mind, we drove and drove and drove round and round the mountains, felt sick and ill, the mountains were very windy and it only looked like a small drive on the map but turned out to be a long long long long drive, for me anyway. Finally arrived at Takaka at the other end of abel tasman national park but could not find anywhere to stay so went a little further along to Pohara Beach where we stayed in a cabin on the top 10 campsite.. I was lovely in that our cabin backed right on to a long stretch of sandy beach but the downside was that it rained and rained and rained. We did go for a walk but it rained and rained so we ended up catching up on homework and playing in cabin.

Feb 13 (Friday)
I had enough of my cast so started cutting it off this morning, jim then got up and started helping but the nutter broke the sissors so I now have half a cast!! But its not as irritating as it was. Drove to a clinic to see if they would chop the rest off but no luck, so will have to get it seen to when we reach civilization. Went salmon fishing at a fish farm and robin caught his first salmon ever weighing in at 1.970kg. Made him kill and clean and they packed in ice so that we can eat later! Then back on the windy horrid, sickening mountain road. Which has amazingly beautiful views but makes me car sick. Just past a sign saying farewell to golden bay, well beautiful as it is I am sorry there is only one way in and one way out cause it makes me sick!!! However, very sunny today and strange mists up top, think the orcs might get us. Saw the horses from lord of the rings the other day would have gone riding if arm ok but do not want to break it again just yet!
Well, we survived the windy roads to end up in Blienham and it just so happens it’s the Marlborough Wine Festival starting today so everywhere is absolutely choc a bloc and we are camping in the tent again. Not so bad as I have had a glass of wine and by accident phoned Libs at 6am this morning your time. Of course, I was not pissed at 6am your time it was actually 9pm our time, I think.
Anyway we have been in the car most of the day seeing stunning scenery , most of which, so robin tells me is from scenes from Lord of the Rings. However I was glad to stop, I have now cooked dinner which was the salmon robin caught this morning, had to give loads away as it was such a big fish!! Am looking forward to whale watching and other things in the next few days but will be glad to get somewhere with a lovely soft bed tomorrow night!!! Bit fed up with camping but it makes our budget go further as cost about 15 pounds a night…. Great.. but….

CHAMPIONS!!!!!!

fantastic!! England won in Wellington!

Even the English players promote the Red Lion and WHU after their fantastic win in the 7s.

Feb 5th
Made our way to Waitomo first thing this morning and just outside booked an adventure for this afternoon, then got plotted up at the campsite kitchen cause I got a signal on the computer. It is really a nice campsite with a swimming pool and hot tub and everything. We started our tour at 3pm and after we were all kitted up and had walked to the cave site, we abseiled down into a huge hole, it was quite scary. It was 27m to the bottom and was great when you got started but taking that first step over the edge and just dangling by a bit of string was the hardest part. We then took a walk along one cave and you had to keep walking through water and the water had quite big eels in it. Jim was touching the eels and they were horribly friendly kept coming round you, well I hate anything like snakes so I was not that impressed with that but jim loved Cause we were walking in the dark, after our little play with the cave eels, it was quite scary not knowing where they were but the glowworms sort of took your mind off them as the glowworms were sooo pretty and there were soooo many of them. We stood in the dark just watching they were awesome. Then when we turned the lights on our hats on and actually saw them it was even more of an experience. The look like maggots with glowing bums and they put down all this thread to catch their meals on, very clever and quite beautiful to see/ we then got on huge innertubes and floated along looking up at the glowworms (am glad I had wetsuit on to stop them eels coming too close). It really was lovely and I didn’t worry about the eel at the time, just since!!!! The guide kept making loud noises and trying to scare people but it was quite relaxing and peaceful down there. We then went into another part of the cave (which is absolutely enormous, miles long with different tunnels and caverns. We crawled through mud up to a beautiful cavern and then crawled back, why on earth anyone would want to go to a spa and get covered in mud is beyond me but it was quite good getting through those small gaps and being up to climb up and over even though slippy. In yet another part of the cave (after we had washed mud off in water full of eels!!!) everyone had a go a caving, the art of getting your body through small spaces (I thought I had better save my arm for the climb out) but jim got through one very small hole/tunnel and robin, of course, got through everything without too much effort. After another walk through some beautiful rock formations we had a picnic of hot drinks and chocolate (in a cave, felt a bit bizarre) then we had the climb out, 27m looked quite high but you know the opening of the cave is indescribable, like another world, as you walk to it from the dark of the caves like just by the glowworms and your miners helmet its eerie, just mist then gradually more light and greenery, was quite stunning. Anyway we then had to climb out, once again just a small rope for safety and yes it did get quite tough getting over some bits, a bit of stretching, pulling and pushing, it was the pushing off the rocks with your feet to get over the ledge was a bit strange, but we all made it up.
It was really an awesome adventure though we all stank to high heaven, so we were grateful for the hot shower. Jim had said to me on the way down just before I absailed over the edge, why am I doing this at my age, but jim loved it and has said he will let me book some more adventures for him. I reckon skydiving might be next!!!!! Robin is up for it and they are quite easygoing over here at the moment as its slower than usual tourist wise which is good for us as they consider taking robin even though he is only 10!! Its really silly the caving trip we went on say 15 on the brosure but robin was the quickest one on it..
Anyway cause we did not finish the trip until 8.30 we rushed in a posh restaurant for dinner and it was lovely, both the food and the setting, would have been lovely and romantic had jim not been half asleep!! No it was fantastic sitting watching the night sky and chilling and its lovely to be sitting outside eating especially since I know there is snow and damp at home…

Feb 6th
Happy Waitangi day. The nz ers are celebrating the day the treaty wih the English was signed. I would protest not celebrate, still I believe there were some protests too. We went to the Waitomo museum first thing and if I had gone there before I went in the cave yesterday I might never have gone in the cave. Ignorance is definitely bliss. Learning sometimes just scares the heck out of me!!!! Small museum but learned loads, especially about the spiders, centipedes and other organisms that live in the caves, we also learned how often people have accidents and perish. Very interesting!! In the rugby club in waitomo there was an axeman contest and jim found it quite fascinating so we ended up watching a few contests, it was surprising how well the old boys did but I could not get worked up over watching men chop logs with old fashioned axes when they could have purchased a chain saw!!!
Went on a bushwalk and through some more caves which was really great I think we all enjoy exploring on our own now and there are so few other people about it is like you are alone on earth sometimes. Then into the car cause we have decided to try to get to the south island quickly as we are running out of time. Drove through some beautiful places and stopped just to stare occasionally. Tried to get accommodation in Wanganui but they had their annual sportsman competition going on and there was no rooms at any of the inns. Ended up in Bulls, found accommodation in a pub. Yeh!!! Said jim. So we left him in the pub and robin and I went exploring. There was not much to Bulls apart from the artwork which was ia little bizarre and the wonderful old fashioned milk churns they had everywhere instead of bins and just for decoration. Went back to ask jim what he wanted to eat as everywhere was due to shut, they all shut at 9pm around here. Jim was glad of our arrival and we saved him from several kiwis who had celebrated Waitangi day all day and were getting a bit mouthy about the poms and rugby. We are going to get up early in the morning and dash to Wellington to see if we can get tickets for the last day of the sevens, jim spent the rest of the night watching the sevens, replays and listening to the critiques on tv.. Kenya beat South Africa and it was a joy to watch, says jim. We had kebabs for dinner and I would not recommend kebabs over here, stick to the ones in England!

Feb 7th
England won the nz 7s!!! and what a great victory!!
We made it to Wellington by midday and had a bit of trouble finding a hotel that was not full but not much it was just jim did not want to pay the prices so we got booked in and went up to our rooms. I was going to take a picture as they looked so luxurious but we were in a panic to go and obtain tickets to the 7s so I was rushed out the door. Had a lovely walk from webb street where our hotel is to the grounds and started to try to get tickets. Its so disappointing when you fail to get tickets and even 5 mins seems like hours. We eventually got 2 tickets then had a panic cause it seemed like ages before we could get another, then low and behold a couple offered us one for only 50dollars, less than face value. Of course, we were so excited to have found another ticket we did not check it properly and we just walked through security and low and behold jims ticket would not go through the machine, we had bought a ticket from yesterdays game!!!! We were sooo disappointed and I felt gutted I had bought dodgy ticket. Never mind, we had a bit of a laugh about it and went back to square one of asking everyone to sell us a ticket. Having no luck but lots of fun we asked a passing journalish jokingly to lend us his pass and guess what, that very very very nice man had a spare in his pocket so I went through with him while jim and robin used the tickets, I didn’t even get to buy him a drink but did thank him loads. How nice was he.
Cannot describe the party atmosphere adequately, everyone except us was in fancy dress, it was such a party, everyone happy, singing and dancing, drinking and watching the rugby. Fantastic and when England got through to the final with New Zealand well, what a game!!! The kiwis were all so sure that they were going to win and they were all so happy, especially when we played sooo badly in the first half. Well the second half was a bit different, and in the last few seconds when we had all but given up, England scored, the final whistle went and England had to kick the conversion to win !!!!! Jim threw up his hands and wacked me right on my bad arm and sent shock waves of pain, so I had to sit down but it was a fantastic moment though did feel a bit sad for the kiwis being beaten in their own back yard. Jim does not he thinks its sweet we beat them here!!!In fact I don’t think I have seen him so happy in a while. Robin has never seen so many happy drunks. Robin really enjoyed all the games and high fives with all the teams as our seats were front row!!!! All the teams and players come round to high five when they are knocked out of competition and robin loved that. He loved the fact that Scotland won the bowl and England won the cup!!!!!!
All the English players came over and Jim asked them to pose with our flag and they did, we also got a picture of the with the cup. Its really nice the players come and talk and greet their supporters, we all loved it. On the walk home robin kept saying never mind to all the kiwis!! Sweet.
During the day we had an hammers fan see our flag from the other side of the stadium and came over to say hi. Nice chap called Nick King, from Deptford but now living here. It is surprising how many people knew WHU but no one seemed to know Steeple Bumpstead, still we will put sb on the map!!
The party atmosphere continued after we left the stadium with street entertainers (the Scottish were out in force with their bagpipes and marching bands) and we had a great time walking back to hotel. Jim had to get a beer in a shop as the bars were full and would not let robin in!! we bought Chinese to eat back at the hotel and turned the tv on but I do not think anyone watched. I feel asleep with black dirty feet in that lovely clean bed, I cannot believe the state of my feet feel bad at having gone to bed like that but I was a little bit drunk, obviously too drunk to care about clean sheets and dirty feet. Great day and night!!

my boys at new zealand medieval festival

just outside the bar/pub

the maori rock drawings on lake taupo

Jan 28th
Left the beautiful farm after getting up early and having a good look round (leaving the boys in bed of course) it really was a lovely place loads of land, lakes, mountain one side and 5 mins from a really long sandy beach. Lovely place to live. We went along the coast road to the hot spring beach, which 2 hours either side of low tide you can dig a hole in the sand and it fills with hot water from below ground. We got there about 3 hours too early so we went for a walk to a place called flat rock, well that’s all it was, a flat rock! Then we walked for about 3 miles along the long sandy beach, of which they have many here. When we got back to hot springs beach there were loads of people there, already digging their holes. Well we felt the hot springs with our feet as we walked along the beach, so we made a hole big enough to stand in then all stood in it until our feet burned, cooled them down in the sea and then made our way back to the car we just could not cope with the crowds!!
Went to whangamata and cause it was quite late, the only accommodation available was our trusty tent again. Put up tent, went for walk, had Chinese takeaway sitting in car cause all the insects on the grass wanted to share!!

Jan 29th
Waited about on beach bodyboarding and swimming as the waves were great, but robins surf lesson was cancelled so we left about 3pm to start our trek to Rotarua
Made a stop in Te Puke to see the kiwi farms, the fruit not the birds, as this is the best place for growing kiwis and it was interesting to see the farm and kiwis on vines like grapes.
Got to Rotarua late but found motel, the same motel that jim had stayed in with david during the lions tour!!!Freeky!! then chilled cause it had wireless so caught up with blog while jim and robin went out for mcdonalds!!!

Jan 30th
Went to wai-o-tapu a thermal wonderland, saw the lady knox geyser explode and then walked all around the park viewing the thermal hot and cold pools, the lakes the mud pools and all the geysers. Enjoyed the walks through the bush and seeing the birds. Then after lunch we went to see the Californian coastal redwoods forest that they planted here in the late 19th century had a lovely wander through the forest and it was wonderful. The boys went on a simulator which was just outside the forest and it went into volcano craters and over the thermal hotpools of this area. Went to the waterfront of rotorua and they were setting up for a concert tomorrow so went back to the hotel we stayed in last night and have booked tonight and tomorrow



Jan 31st
Went to rotorua museum which was great, learned all sorts of stuff had a particularly good section on the Maoris so ended up staying there for lunch and exploring it again after lunch. We did also walk through government gardens and saw the croquet and bowls in progress, two different greens and also walk around the lake for a bit till robin complained the smell was just too bad (sulpher) and that he had seen enough water boiling in the lake, but the colours were fantastic will post some photos later. Then went to their annual biggest ever open air concert. It started at 4pm so we did not get back to the hotel to change of anything and we plotted up cause jim wanted to get mangled, poor thing has not been mangled since xmas. Well I must say it was the most bizarre concert I have ever veeen to. It started out with the Maoris and the welcome hukka then went on to opera, country a bit of pop back to maori then onto hip hop dancers and the back to a bit more opera and back to maori to close, oh and I nearly forgot there was a Scottish (all dressed in kilts) band, like a big marching one really odd but we did enjoy it and it was free. The fireworks were ok though we missed them as we went back to the car to get away before the crowds, not that we knew it was the last but one song when we left we had just experienced enough..

Feb 1st
Left rotorua on the 5 and had a lovely very senic drive through the countryside to Toupo cause robin had seen in one of the papers that there was a medieval festival there so we decided it was robins day and went straight to the festival. There were loads of people there they take their swordfights seriously and had competitions etc which robin found fascinating. (will have to get him some fencing lessons when we get back as the fascination with swords is not going away) The horses were lovely but not the sort to be used in jousting really and they were not dresses in all the gear, just the riders. They did bash the granny out of each other though with foam swords!!(so they didn’t hurt the horses) Robin looked in all the tents and was very impressed with the Vikings and romans as well as the knights. He had a go on shooting the knight with arrows and also had goes on the catapults, he wandered around all the sellers tents (the tents were all very medieval and colourful) and wanted to buy a sword (well theres a surprise) We persuaded him they would not let proper swords through customs so he made do with a wooden one. I daresay jim is going to end up with a few bruises over the next few days!! We then found a backpackers place (at least we do not have to sleep in tent) Made dinner in communal kitchen (experience) watched sunset over lake (fantastic)

Feb 2nd
Went to visit Shawn the Prawn today. The only Prawn Farm in nz. We had a great day with a trip around the prawn farm where we learned loads and robin remembered the fact adult male prawns have 2 thingys, whatever thingys is. I am sure he remember loads of other things too but that was what impressed him most, obviously!~!! We then went Prawn fishing… we had a great time with our bamboo canes and hooks and the prawns taking the bait then pulling it along then trying to eat it which is when you should pull it in. Jim had a great birthday with the girls phoning this morning and dad phoning tonight, his had a great time he phoned Yvonne and they all sang happy birthday too. He loves birthdays, especially his. The only bit that went wrong was that I caught more prawns than him, but we had a lovely bbq this evening and he really enjoyed the prawns that we had caught and put on ice. We also went to Huka Falls today and the water was really beautiful colours and really fast, would not want to come over that waterfall in a barrel. Really clean water though and cannot wait to fish the river on weds with jim and robin. We also went and put our feel into lake taupo, went to the beach part and there was loads of people swimming but I did not fancy it and was dying to get back to eat so we did not stay long at the lake. Sunset was fab again think we are getting to be lazy ites, cannot imagine working again!! It really is paradise here, chilled out days fishing, swimming and surfing and its snowing in england, in fact, I recon paulina was snowed in today!!! No work could be catching!!!

Feb 3rd
Went for a lovely walk along the huka falls footpath from spa park I really enjoyed but robin did not want to walk any further to the dam as we had already walked 2 hours. The dam would have been interesting cause it is near the power plant that works on thermal electric, ie they heat their stuff under ground in the hot springs. As we walked back to the car we had a swim in the river where the hot spring water comes up and it was boiling in one spot, warm in another and freezing in another. Lovely and relaxing though. In the afternoon we went on a sailboard once owned by errol Flynn the actor (felt quite old when robin did not know who errol Flynn was) we sailed out to view the maori rock carvings, it was lovely being on the largest lake in nz. The carvings were a bit of a disappointment though.

Feb 4th
Were just asleep last night when david phoned and woke us all up. It was great to hear from him and ty but could not get back to sleep, was tossing and turning all night ,read half a book and ate jims chocolate!! Got up at 6am soooo excited to be going fly fishing with a gilly. I was really excited and we were ready and waiting for Andrew at 7am. It was a beautiful morning and we got into the gillys car to drive to the first river. We put on our waders and walked along to the good part of the river to start fishing. We had a lesson and started fishing but no one was lucky. Robin got a blister on his hand from trying so hard and eventually we all felt like moving on as nothing was biting. We moved along to another part of the river had lunch and started fishing again. It was a lovely day but ended with no one catching anything so we were all very quiet on the drive back. I had never thought we would not catch, it was such a disappointment. We got into our car and thought we would drive towards waitamo to be a bit nearer to visiting the caves tomorrow. We drove through some beautiful countryside but we were so tired we just wanted a motel. All the places we passed through were one horse towns and had no motels so we kept driving. We eventually found a motel very near the caves and we did not have the energy to camp so we had to pay the price, never mind will camp tomorrow instead. Are going to watch some tv now as have not seen any in days.