So, it's all over. We made it home safe yesterday afternoon and after some dinner and a shower I crashed out for 11 hours in my own bed ;o) Lovely!
After 8 years talking about this trip it's a bit odd that it is now all done and dusted, back to work tomorrow...
The whole trip was amazing, a beautiful country, lovely friendly people, good food, good laughs and some rather disappointing rugby results! In the end it didn't matter what our team did, the experience of being in Auckland for the All Blacks win was a once in a lifetime experience and I wouldn't change it.
So thank you all for reading, I hope you were entertained, I certainly was, and I'm sure I'll bore most of you at some point with further tales of my epic trip down under.
Now to plan the next one.... Lions tour of Australia in 2013 anyone???? ;o)
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Monday, 24 October 2011
The End
No Internet connection for a couple of days so I've neglected you all!
The Final was utterly awesome, the whole of Auckland was going wild and the party went on all night! Sadly we had to go to bed so that I was in a fit state to drive our house back to the depot on Monday morning!
We have now made it as far as LA, once again enjoying the hospitality of the USO, I have just had my third Monday morning breakfast which is odd, but we arrived here at 0630h Monday, having left Auckland at 1400h Monday afternoon! It's like bloody time travel!!!
Just one more leg to go, after a bit of a wait we will be on the plane to London at 1630 this afternoon, then it's just the trek across London and the train home, I was sad to say goodbye to our little house, but I'll be glad to see my own bed :-)))
The Final was utterly awesome, the whole of Auckland was going wild and the party went on all night! Sadly we had to go to bed so that I was in a fit state to drive our house back to the depot on Monday morning!
We have now made it as far as LA, once again enjoying the hospitality of the USO, I have just had my third Monday morning breakfast which is odd, but we arrived here at 0630h Monday, having left Auckland at 1400h Monday afternoon! It's like bloody time travel!!!
Just one more leg to go, after a bit of a wait we will be on the plane to London at 1630 this afternoon, then it's just the trek across London and the train home, I was sad to say goodbye to our little house, but I'll be glad to see my own bed :-)))
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Busy day!
We have had a manic day! Got on the tourist bus thins morning and went round the whole city - stopped off at the museum, cathedral, a couple of places with nice views! It was lovely! We have probably seen enough Maori culture for a while, we know all the stories now!
The museum has the most amazing war memorial I have ever seen, absolutely beautiful and very moving.
We then came back into the city and happened upon a street performer - a completely mad Canadian woman called Tallulah - she was absolutely hilarious!
Now waiting for dinner - more lamb shanks! We have to get our fix, we're coming home the day after tomorrow!!!
The museum has the most amazing war memorial I have ever seen, absolutely beautiful and very moving.
We then came back into the city and happened upon a street performer - a completely mad Canadian woman called Tallulah - she was absolutely hilarious!
Now waiting for dinner - more lamb shanks! We have to get our fix, we're coming home the day after tomorrow!!!
Friday, 21 October 2011
Fab!
Awesome night last night at Eden Park, got the right result as well! We did somehow end up sitting in among a massive bunch of Welsh supporters, who didn't appreciate my interpretation of their national anthem for some reason....
We're off to get on the sightseeing bus today, as we have to see as much of Auckland as possible today so we are free for the final tomorrow ;-)))
We're off to get on the sightseeing bus today, as we have to see as much of Auckland as possible today so we are free for the final tomorrow ;-)))
Ah, sunshine!
So the sun is out at last, had a leisurely morning with breakfast and a book outside the van, lovely!
We are actually parked in the owners garden so we were sitting on his grass in our camping chairs!
Forgot to tell you all yesterday that we came across a compulsory breath testing road block on the way here so I got breathalysed! It was quite funny! Thankfully I was in the clear - although it was about 2 days since I had a beer so not surprising! We would have been buggered if I'd been boozing because Bev STILL hasn't driven the van, and won't now because we are nearly at the end of our adventures :-(
On a better note - we're just having lunch and then we're off to Eden Prak to pick up our tickets for tonight's match! I'm being an honorary Australian tonight ;-)
We are actually parked in the owners garden so we were sitting on his grass in our camping chairs!
Forgot to tell you all yesterday that we came across a compulsory breath testing road block on the way here so I got breathalysed! It was quite funny! Thankfully I was in the clear - although it was about 2 days since I had a beer so not surprising! We would have been buggered if I'd been boozing because Bev STILL hasn't driven the van, and won't now because we are nearly at the end of our adventures :-(
On a better note - we're just having lunch and then we're off to Eden Prak to pick up our tickets for tonight's match! I'm being an honorary Australian tonight ;-)
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Skytower photos of Auckland
Went up the Sky Tower this afternoon - here are some lovely shots for you! (I went on my own because Bev was too scared!!)
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
And another thing...
I have just bought a raspberry and white chocolate muffin and they gave me butter to put on it - how weird is that!???
And don't come here if you're scared of bees - I have never seen bumble bees that big in my life! And they keep harassing Bev! Ha ha ha!
And don't come here if you're scared of bees - I have never seen bumble bees that big in my life! And they keep harassing Bev! Ha ha ha!
Almost there!
We have left Hamilton behind, it was a but rubbish, we managed to do the main sights in under 2 hours!! Although there's a cool statue of Richard O Brian dressed as Riff Raff!
Now on the Auckland road, looking forward to getting there but a bit sad that this is our last leg :-( this road is not very pretty either, nowhere near as nice as some of the others we have driven, but it's nice and flat so Bev hasn't been scared yet! Lol!
Will try to get online and give you updates when we get to Auckland
Now on the Auckland road, looking forward to getting there but a bit sad that this is our last leg :-( this road is not very pretty either, nowhere near as nice as some of the others we have driven, but it's nice and flat so Bev hasn't been scared yet! Lol!
Will try to get online and give you updates when we get to Auckland
Another quickie!
Hello folks, just a quick update while I'm in Hamilton museum where there is free wi fi!
Drove up here this morning, we were quite sad to say goodbye to Rotorua because we loved it, but we have to get on our way to Auckland. It was only 120km today which was quite nice - I've got used to the big drives so a little one was a pleasant change!
We're only here overnight so we have done a whistle stop tour of the museum, which we liked because there was stuff to play with! We have seen the statue of Riff Raff and we're going to have a look at the cathedral in a minute - we just had to stop for a cup of tea, partly because Bev hasn't had one for a couple of hours and partly because it was pissing down again!!!
There is a really nice street full of restaurants so I have high hopes for dinner later ;-))
Drove up here this morning, we were quite sad to say goodbye to Rotorua because we loved it, but we have to get on our way to Auckland. It was only 120km today which was quite nice - I've got used to the big drives so a little one was a pleasant change!
We're only here overnight so we have done a whistle stop tour of the museum, which we liked because there was stuff to play with! We have seen the statue of Riff Raff and we're going to have a look at the cathedral in a minute - we just had to stop for a cup of tea, partly because Bev hasn't had one for a couple of hours and partly because it was pissing down again!!!
There is a really nice street full of restaurants so I have high hopes for dinner later ;-))
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Rotorua again!
We're still in rainy Rotorua, we have had an absolutely brilliant day at Whakarewarewa, which is a Maori village (still fully occupied) on a really active geothermal area. They cook their dinner over steam vents in the ground and there are public bathing pools with hot water that the residents use on a daily basis. They also have two of NZs most active geysers which erupt ever hour or so - they were pretty awesome.
It was a really good day out and nice to give your money to the local people, on the other side of the geysers there is a government run viewing park which costs more to go in and doesn't have the history or the culture attached to it.
It was mostly dry today too so that was a pleasant change! It is now raining a bit but we are off out again to the night market and a restaurant we spotted yesterday which does "stonegrill", can't remember if I mentioned it before but they basically bring you a big hot stone with slabs of raw meat on it that you then cook to your liking on the stone - it is a carnivore's heaven!!! I had it in Christchurch and have been on the lookout for another one ever since!
We'll be on the move again tomorrow, a brief stop in Hamilton overnight and then it's on to Auckland for the big weekend! Sadly that also means we'll have to come home soon... :-(
It was a really good day out and nice to give your money to the local people, on the other side of the geysers there is a government run viewing park which costs more to go in and doesn't have the history or the culture attached to it.
It was mostly dry today too so that was a pleasant change! It is now raining a bit but we are off out again to the night market and a restaurant we spotted yesterday which does "stonegrill", can't remember if I mentioned it before but they basically bring you a big hot stone with slabs of raw meat on it that you then cook to your liking on the stone - it is a carnivore's heaven!!! I had it in Christchurch and have been on the lookout for another one ever since!
We'll be on the move again tomorrow, a brief stop in Hamilton overnight and then it's on to Auckland for the big weekend! Sadly that also means we'll have to come home soon... :-(
Monday, 17 October 2011
Mitai
We have just got back from the Mitai village, it's an evening of Maori dance, song, an awesome Haka and an even better hangi meal (cooked in a hole in the ground) of chicken, lamb, potatoes and sweet potatoes - it was absolutely delicious. I'm going to dig a hole in the garden when I get home so that I can cook my dinner in it - somebody warn my mother please!!! I have never seen Bev eat such an enormous plate of food so fast - she shovelled it in because she was worried that there wouldn't be any pudding left if she took too long! Ha ha! It was worth it though - there was trifle! ;-)
The evening ends with a walk through the bush to see glow worms (much smaller than I imagined) and the rainbow spring where the fairies live ;-)
Absolutely brilliant night, I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.
We're planning a bus trip tomorrow to go to Whakarewarewa to see the geysers, the only trouble may be pronouncing it well enough that the bus driver understands where we want to go.....
The evening ends with a walk through the bush to see glow worms (much smaller than I imagined) and the rainbow spring where the fairies live ;-)
Absolutely brilliant night, I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.
We're planning a bus trip tomorrow to go to Whakarewarewa to see the geysers, the only trouble may be pronouncing it well enough that the bus driver understands where we want to go.....
Bruce and Colin!
I just thought I would introduce you to our mascots - Bruce the England Bear (who is a little bit disabled having been sewn together a bit wonky!) and Colin the Kiwi - who performs the Haka when you press him! ;-)
Bliss!
I have spent the morning at the Polynesian Spa - absolutely awesome! I have been wrapped in mud, massaged with honey and spent an hour chilling out in thermal mineral pools of increasing temperatures, it was complete heaven! I am now ready for the evening entertainment of Maori culture, which includes a canoe and a hangi meal - where it is cooked in the ground - quite excited!
We did find a free thermal pool in the park but it looked a bit grubby and I was a bit worried that local teenagers might have been up to no good in it after dark.... So I coughed up and went in the proper place, so glad I did! It had hot pools outside overlooking Lake Rotorua, big fluffy bath robes and peppermint tea - it made me very happy, and I now have lovely soft skin!
The weather is still a bit ridiculous here, lovely and hot and sunny one minute and pissing down the next, we've even had hail stones!
Might have a little nap before we get picked up for our evening trip - I'll let you know how it went tomorrow in the next thrilling instalment of our NZ Adventures!!! ;-)
We did find a free thermal pool in the park but it looked a bit grubby and I was a bit worried that local teenagers might have been up to no good in it after dark.... So I coughed up and went in the proper place, so glad I did! It had hot pools outside overlooking Lake Rotorua, big fluffy bath robes and peppermint tea - it made me very happy, and I now have lovely soft skin!
The weather is still a bit ridiculous here, lovely and hot and sunny one minute and pissing down the next, we've even had hail stones!
Might have a little nap before we get picked up for our evening trip - I'll let you know how it went tomorrow in the next thrilling instalment of our NZ Adventures!!! ;-)
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Killing time!
We have a bit of a lengthy wait for the match but we are already in the pub ad it filled up quite early last night and as the All Blacks are playing tonight we expect it to be really busy.
The pub we were in last night was not great, the food left us with some unfortunate side effects this morning... So we have found a different one tonight, I have just eaten the greatest braised ox cheek ever, and Bev had lamb hot pot, really lovely - if I wasn't stuffed full I'd be eyeing up the dessert too, although there's time, given that we have over 2 hours to wait for kick off! Currently watching the league game between NZ and Aus, when I get home can somebody please explain the rules of rugby league to me? I'm completely baffled!!!
Managed to fit on some more shopping today - present buying is just about done, some of this crap is heading your way if I like you enough!!! You have been warned! ;-))
Right, I'd better stop ignoring Bev and being unsociable so I'll catch you all later, really hoping for the right result tonight, couldn't quite bear it if the cheating Aussies got through!
The pub we were in last night was not great, the food left us with some unfortunate side effects this morning... So we have found a different one tonight, I have just eaten the greatest braised ox cheek ever, and Bev had lamb hot pot, really lovely - if I wasn't stuffed full I'd be eyeing up the dessert too, although there's time, given that we have over 2 hours to wait for kick off! Currently watching the league game between NZ and Aus, when I get home can somebody please explain the rules of rugby league to me? I'm completely baffled!!!
Managed to fit on some more shopping today - present buying is just about done, some of this crap is heading your way if I like you enough!!! You have been warned! ;-))
Right, I'd better stop ignoring Bev and being unsociable so I'll catch you all later, really hoping for the right result tonight, couldn't quite bear it if the cheating Aussies got through!
Rainy Rotorua!
Rotorua is really nice, very good museum which we liked a lot, but it keeps bloody raining! Currently sitting in mcdonalds waiting for the latest downpour to pass!
We've booked a Maori experience for tomorrow night, will report on that after! We found a fabulous church today with Maori carvings and an etching of Jesus on the window which looks like he is walking on the water of the lake when you sit in the pews.
More rugby tonight, Go ABs!
We've booked a Maori experience for tomorrow night, will report on that after! We found a fabulous church today with Maori carvings and an etching of Jesus on the window which looks like he is walking on the water of the lake when you sit in the pews.
More rugby tonight, Go ABs!
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Hurrah!
Happy with the result last night! I can now stop being a temporary French person! Go the ABs! ;-)
Rotorua stinks!
We have arrived in Rotorua - lovely drive down, with a stop for lunch at a glass blowing studio, really gorgeous stuff. It's a bit disconcerting driving along the road seeing big puffs of steam coming out of the ground all around you, it's even worse when you smell the sulphur!!
Off into town in a bit to see if we can find a suitable venue for dinner and semis ;-)
Off into town in a bit to see if we can find a suitable venue for dinner and semis ;-)
Friday, 14 October 2011
Napier
Hello again you lot!
Here we are in sunny, warm Napier! We've had a bit of rain but it was still sunny most of the time so we didn't mind too much.
We had a walk into town today and went to the Cathedral, which is very pretty, and a wine shop ;o) We tried to go to the museum but it was shut, they appear to have knocked parts of it down - which is ironic, given that its main function is to show you the history of the huge earthquake which happened here in 1931! The whole of the town centre was rebuilt in the 30s after the quake so it is all really pretty art deco buildings. There is a nice walk along the sea front to the marine centre so we went in there and looked at lots of fish - to be honest it made me quite hungry - heading out again in a bit to find somewhere I can have a fish and chip supper ;o)
Speaking of food, we have had some really good stuff, the kiwis are very keen on smoked chicken which I have taken a liking to, and I have also discovered the world's finest chocolate bar - it's called a peanut slab, utterly awesome!
I did manage a bit of shopping today, found a furry Kiwi which does the Haka when you press his stomach - I had to buy it....
We're off to Rotorua tomorrow because there isn't really anything else to do here, I'm looking forward to thermal springs and a mud bath!
Here we are in sunny, warm Napier! We've had a bit of rain but it was still sunny most of the time so we didn't mind too much.
We had a walk into town today and went to the Cathedral, which is very pretty, and a wine shop ;o) We tried to go to the museum but it was shut, they appear to have knocked parts of it down - which is ironic, given that its main function is to show you the history of the huge earthquake which happened here in 1931! The whole of the town centre was rebuilt in the 30s after the quake so it is all really pretty art deco buildings. There is a nice walk along the sea front to the marine centre so we went in there and looked at lots of fish - to be honest it made me quite hungry - heading out again in a bit to find somewhere I can have a fish and chip supper ;o)
Speaking of food, we have had some really good stuff, the kiwis are very keen on smoked chicken which I have taken a liking to, and I have also discovered the world's finest chocolate bar - it's called a peanut slab, utterly awesome!
I did manage a bit of shopping today, found a furry Kiwi which does the Haka when you press his stomach - I had to buy it....
We're off to Rotorua tomorrow because there isn't really anything else to do here, I'm looking forward to thermal springs and a mud bath!
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Bye bye wet Wellington!
We left Wellington this morning and once again it was pissing down! Glorious 300km drive through wine country (without stopping for a taste - how good am I???) and we have arrived in Napier, where the sun is shining and it is so warm even Bev has taken her jumper off! The site here is lovely, much better than the car park we were inhabiting in Wellington, and the lady at reception says that playing on the jumping pillow is obligatory - so I'm off to have a jump in a minute! :-)
We're here for two nights, I don't really want to do another shit load of driving straight away so we'll see what is on offer here, I'm sure we'll find stuff to do ;-)
I have attached a pic of our little house so you can see where we are living!
We're here for two nights, I don't really want to do another shit load of driving straight away so we'll see what is on offer here, I'm sure we'll find stuff to do ;-)
I have attached a pic of our little house so you can see where we are living!
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Just a Quickie!
Hello Folks
We've had another fantastic day in Wellington, we went to the zoo this morning and it was great - lions and tigers and bears Oh My!! Had a bit of a row with the bus driver on the way back, we were told our tickets were valid to get there but the driver on the way back said they weren't. Saved ourselves $7 by getting there for free though!
I then managed to get Bev on the cable car, no mean feat, but it wasn't that scary - it's more of a funicular railway than a cable car and the views at the top are great. I think the Botanic gardens would be more interesting in the summer - at the moment they look a bit like bare earth and stumpy trees!
We then tried to go to the Parliament building for a look around, but we couldn't go in because they wouldn't let Bev in without scanning her, even though we can get through airports all over the world without having her scanned.... We went for a walk along the harbour front instead as it had finally stopped raining!
Came back to the campervan and I had to fill up the fresh water tank by standing about 4 feet away and aiming the hose at the hole in the side of the van like a demented fireman, in the rain, laughing like a loon! Of course I could have just moved the van closer to the tap but where's the fun in that??
Heading off to Napier tomorrow and then on to Roturua later in the week. I'll keep you updated as we go!
We've had another fantastic day in Wellington, we went to the zoo this morning and it was great - lions and tigers and bears Oh My!! Had a bit of a row with the bus driver on the way back, we were told our tickets were valid to get there but the driver on the way back said they weren't. Saved ourselves $7 by getting there for free though!
I then managed to get Bev on the cable car, no mean feat, but it wasn't that scary - it's more of a funicular railway than a cable car and the views at the top are great. I think the Botanic gardens would be more interesting in the summer - at the moment they look a bit like bare earth and stumpy trees!
We then tried to go to the Parliament building for a look around, but we couldn't go in because they wouldn't let Bev in without scanning her, even though we can get through airports all over the world without having her scanned.... We went for a walk along the harbour front instead as it had finally stopped raining!
Came back to the campervan and I had to fill up the fresh water tank by standing about 4 feet away and aiming the hose at the hole in the side of the van like a demented fireman, in the rain, laughing like a loon! Of course I could have just moved the van closer to the tap but where's the fun in that??
Heading off to Napier tomorrow and then on to Roturua later in the week. I'll keep you updated as we go!
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Hello Again!
Well, our adventures continue!
Following the ferry crossing we had a small sat nav incident when it tried to make me go the wrong way but we found our holiday park without too much hassle and crashed out - I was knackered after all that driving! It was absolutely pissing down last night and then bright sunshine this morning - we had our tea on a bench outside our little house this morning ;o) it didn't last though - we went down into Wellington in persistent drizzle which lasted until well after lunch.
Went to Te Papa this morning, the museum of New Zealand, they have some absolutely amazing stuff but I find modern museums really difficult - is it just me or was it better when you went in, walked round a certain way and came out somewhere else? All this freedom to wander about inside makes me worry that I am missing the best bits because I didn't look round the right corner...
Anyhoo...
After that we went Cathedral hunting, first the new cathedral, which is built from pink concrete, very pretty but somewhat sterile. Old St Pauls is much more traditional - it was built by the English to remind them of churches at home, but from wood, it is possibly the most stunning church I have ever been in - google it, you'll be impressed!
Bev will kill me when she reads this but I just thought I should inform the world that after we made an agreement that the toilet in the camper was for liquid waste only (you know what I mean ;o)) she broke the rules yesterday and the offending item is now sitting down the hole looking at us every time we go....
Off to the zoo tomorrow - and to have a look at the cable car to see if it's too scary for Bev to go in ;o)
Following the ferry crossing we had a small sat nav incident when it tried to make me go the wrong way but we found our holiday park without too much hassle and crashed out - I was knackered after all that driving! It was absolutely pissing down last night and then bright sunshine this morning - we had our tea on a bench outside our little house this morning ;o) it didn't last though - we went down into Wellington in persistent drizzle which lasted until well after lunch.
Went to Te Papa this morning, the museum of New Zealand, they have some absolutely amazing stuff but I find modern museums really difficult - is it just me or was it better when you went in, walked round a certain way and came out somewhere else? All this freedom to wander about inside makes me worry that I am missing the best bits because I didn't look round the right corner...
Anyhoo...
After that we went Cathedral hunting, first the new cathedral, which is built from pink concrete, very pretty but somewhat sterile. Old St Pauls is much more traditional - it was built by the English to remind them of churches at home, but from wood, it is possibly the most stunning church I have ever been in - google it, you'll be impressed!
Bev will kill me when she reads this but I just thought I should inform the world that after we made an agreement that the toilet in the camper was for liquid waste only (you know what I mean ;o)) she broke the rules yesterday and the offending item is now sitting down the hole looking at us every time we go....
Off to the zoo tomorrow - and to have a look at the cable car to see if it's too scary for Bev to go in ;o)
Hello Again!
Well, our adventures continue!
Following the ferry crossing we had a small sat nav incident when it tried to make me go the wrong way but we found our holiday park without too much hassle and crashed out - I was knackered after all that driving! It was absolutely pissing down last night and then bright sunshine this morning - we had our tea on a bench outside our little house this morning ;o) it didn't last though - we went down into Wellington in persistent drizzle which lasted until well after lunch.
Went to Te Papa this morning, the museum of New Zealand, they have some absolutely amazing stuff but I find modern museums really difficult - is it just me or was it better when you went in, walked round a certain way and came out somewhere else? All this freedom to wander about inside makes me worry that I am missing the best bits because I didn't look round the right corner...
Anyhoo...
After that we went Cathedral hunting, first the new cathedral, which is built from pink concrete, very pretty but somewhat sterile. Old St Pauls is much more traditional - it was built by the English to remind them of churches at home, but from wood, it is possibly the most stunning church I have ever been in - google it, you'll be impressed!
Bev will kill me when she reads this but I just thought I should inform the world that after we made an agreement that the toilet in the camper was for liquid waste only (you know what I mean ;o)) she broke the rules yesterday and the offending item is now sitting down the hole looking at us every time we go....
Off to the zoo tomorrow - and to have a look at the cable car to see if it's too scary for Bev to go in ;o)
Following the ferry crossing we had a small sat nav incident when it tried to make me go the wrong way but we found our holiday park without too much hassle and crashed out - I was knackered after all that driving! It was absolutely pissing down last night and then bright sunshine this morning - we had our tea on a bench outside our little house this morning ;o) it didn't last though - we went down into Wellington in persistent drizzle which lasted until well after lunch.
Went to Te Papa this morning, the museum of New Zealand, they have some absolutely amazing stuff but I find modern museums really difficult - is it just me or was it better when you went in, walked round a certain way and came out somewhere else? All this freedom to wander about inside makes me worry that I am missing the best bits because I didn't look round the right corner...
Anyhoo...
After that we went Cathedral hunting, first the new cathedral, which is built from pink concrete, very pretty but somewhat sterile. Old St Pauls is much more traditional - it was built by the English to remind them of churches at home, but from wood, it is possibly the most stunning church I have ever been in - google it, you'll be impressed!
Bev will kill me when she reads this but I just thought I should inform the world that after we made an agreement that the toilet in the camper was for liquid waste only (you know what I mean ;o)) she broke the rules yesterday and the offending item is now sitting down the hole looking at us every time we go....
Off to the zoo tomorrow - and to have a look at the cable car to see if it's too scary for Bev to go in ;o)
Monday, 10 October 2011
Bye bye wobbly Christchurch!
We left Christchurch behind this morning following a fairly big earth tremor last night, which I thought was really cool and Bev thought was bloody terrifying - Lol!
We hadn't looked properly at how far away Picton was and it was a but of a shock when the sat nav said "continue 300 kilometres"! But we got there in time for the ferry, stopping along the way to take some lovely photos of mountains and rivers and the odd bridge :-)
Now on the ferry having come through Marlborough Sound where I managed to use up a brand new set of camera batteries taking pics of the awesome scenery. Took a few with the phone which are attached - including a fetching shot of me in my new hat! It's bloody freezing!
I hope to come back some day and see a bit more of the South Island - but hopefully with less wobbling!
We hadn't looked properly at how far away Picton was and it was a but of a shock when the sat nav said "continue 300 kilometres"! But we got there in time for the ferry, stopping along the way to take some lovely photos of mountains and rivers and the odd bridge :-)
Now on the ferry having come through Marlborough Sound where I managed to use up a brand new set of camera batteries taking pics of the awesome scenery. Took a few with the phone which are attached - including a fetching shot of me in my new hat! It's bloody freezing!
I hope to come back some day and see a bit more of the South Island - but hopefully with less wobbling!
Sunday, 9 October 2011
At least it's sunny!!
So, the rugby was utterly pants but today is gloriously sunny and warm so I'm feeling better about it now! Didn't buy an All Blacks shirt as planned because they are 200 bloody dollars, I'm not that keen to be an honorary kiwi!
More later! ;-)
More later! ;-)
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Gutted... But...
Just a quickie tonight, utterly gutted about the result. But, and it's a big but, we came out of the bar and walked through the streets of Christchurch where there is still complete devastation in places, where people lost their lives, homes, livelihoods and everything else and it sort of puts it in perspective. off to the mall tomorrow to buy an All Blacks shirt and hope we have better luck tomorrow night ;-)
Friday, 7 October 2011
Hello Folks!
Ok, it's been a few days because I couldn't get any internet access anywhere but here I am in beautiful Akaroa and I've found somewhere to post from!
We managed to get through airports without any hassle but Bev did get drug swabbed at LA which amused us greatly - she obviously looks like a junkie...
Great hotel at Christchurch airport which was a blessing because we nearly froze to death when we got off the plane, it was so much colder than Auckland. I did get our flights changed, we were supposed to have a 7 hour wait at AUckland but we managed to cut it to 2 and so we got there much earlier, had a sandwich at the Antarctic centre and then crashed out. Dinner and breakfast in the hotel were great, but I may be overdosing on lamb shanks - thankfully I think the only harm it will do is to my waistline!
Drove down to Akaroa yesterday - fabulous scenic road which is quite steep in places, Bev did not enjoy it as much as I did and nearly had a heart attack when I said I was getting out to take photos, so I didn't :-(
We have parked up on a site up the hill and have amazing scenic views from our van - we paid an extra 4 dollars to have the best views and it was absolutely worth it. We decided to stay here tonight as well, it's so peaceful and beautiful and we are still feeling a bit knackered from the journey so we thought another night would give us a chance to acclimatise a bit more.
It also meant we could go back into town today, went to the museum, the lighthouse and the wool shop - I bought a hat and scarf made from possum fur and wool - lovely and soft and warm, and an amazing pair of sheepskin boots to keep my tootsies warm when I get home! We also found a great pub, proper grub (sausage and mash last night , more lamb shanks tonight - yum!).
Heading back up to Christchurch tomorrow for the weekend to watch the QFs, fingers crossed!
Just phoned the campsites in Auckland for the Final weekend and they are already full - was about to panic when the nice man at the Kiwi park said that we could park our van behind his house! What a legend, unfortunately I failed to ask him how much he was going to charge us, so we might be bankrupt when we've paid the bill - oops!
Ah well, it will be fine, and I didn't dare say no just in case we couldn't find anywhere else!
Other things - everyone is really friendly, and say "cool" all the time, and I have yet to find a hand dryer that works properly!
I should probably also mention that when we picked up the camper we smacked the wing mirror on a lamppost and got lost within the first 2 hours... Thank God we said yes to the sat nav! ;o)))
I'll check in again at some point over the weekend I hope - Ciao for now xxx
We managed to get through airports without any hassle but Bev did get drug swabbed at LA which amused us greatly - she obviously looks like a junkie...
Great hotel at Christchurch airport which was a blessing because we nearly froze to death when we got off the plane, it was so much colder than Auckland. I did get our flights changed, we were supposed to have a 7 hour wait at AUckland but we managed to cut it to 2 and so we got there much earlier, had a sandwich at the Antarctic centre and then crashed out. Dinner and breakfast in the hotel were great, but I may be overdosing on lamb shanks - thankfully I think the only harm it will do is to my waistline!
Drove down to Akaroa yesterday - fabulous scenic road which is quite steep in places, Bev did not enjoy it as much as I did and nearly had a heart attack when I said I was getting out to take photos, so I didn't :-(
We have parked up on a site up the hill and have amazing scenic views from our van - we paid an extra 4 dollars to have the best views and it was absolutely worth it. We decided to stay here tonight as well, it's so peaceful and beautiful and we are still feeling a bit knackered from the journey so we thought another night would give us a chance to acclimatise a bit more.
It also meant we could go back into town today, went to the museum, the lighthouse and the wool shop - I bought a hat and scarf made from possum fur and wool - lovely and soft and warm, and an amazing pair of sheepskin boots to keep my tootsies warm when I get home! We also found a great pub, proper grub (sausage and mash last night , more lamb shanks tonight - yum!).
Heading back up to Christchurch tomorrow for the weekend to watch the QFs, fingers crossed!
Just phoned the campsites in Auckland for the Final weekend and they are already full - was about to panic when the nice man at the Kiwi park said that we could park our van behind his house! What a legend, unfortunately I failed to ask him how much he was going to charge us, so we might be bankrupt when we've paid the bill - oops!
Ah well, it will be fine, and I didn't dare say no just in case we couldn't find anywhere else!
Other things - everyone is really friendly, and say "cool" all the time, and I have yet to find a hand dryer that works properly!
I should probably also mention that when we picked up the camper we smacked the wing mirror on a lamppost and got lost within the first 2 hours... Thank God we said yes to the sat nav! ;o)))
I'll check in again at some point over the weekend I hope - Ciao for now xxx
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Half way!!!!
Currently at LAX, enjoying the hospitality of the USO. we don't fly out of here until midnight local time, which is another 5 hours from now :-( Starting to feel a bit knackered now, looking forward to getting some kip on the Auckland flight!
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Excited!!!!
Off to Heathrow after lunch today, flying out tomorrow morning - I may be sick with excitement before then!!!!
A bit disappointed that Fiji didn't put up more of a fight against Wales this morning ;-)
France in the QF next weekend - which I will be watching in a bar in Christchurch - can't wait ;-))))
A bit disappointed that Fiji didn't put up more of a fight against Wales this morning ;-)
France in the QF next weekend - which I will be watching in a bar in Christchurch - can't wait ;-))))
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Relief!
Jesus that was close - for a horrible section in the middle of that match I thought they were coming home as I was getting there!
I'm off to pack and try not to throw ip with excitement!!!! ;-)
I'm off to pack and try not to throw ip with excitement!!!! ;-)
Monday, 26 September 2011
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Time slip?
Ok - I think I have fixed the time thing - I just had to tell it where I was! :-)
It looks like I was blogging in the wee small hours yesterday - but I definitely wasn't!
It looks like I was blogging in the wee small hours yesterday - but I definitely wasn't!
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Post #1!!
Ok folks - here we go - Blog post #1!
It's 11 days and counting until we fly to NZ and begin our adventures so I'm getting things set up ready to go, now I just have to teach Bev how to do the same.... ;o)
It's 11 days and counting until we fly to NZ and begin our adventures so I'm getting things set up ready to go, now I just have to teach Bev how to do the same.... ;o)
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