Before heading to Christchurch for the SCOT reunion (we were going to stay with my friend Shanon who I used to work with on the ship) we thought we'd nip to Akaroa for a few nights.

We got there quite late so we camped there that night and the next morning it was cold, wet and miserable so when Shanon text us to ask us if we wanted to come a night early we jumped at the chance! We had a walk around Akaroa before heading back to Christchurch, it's a lovely town but in the pouring rain there's only so much you can do ... so we treated ourselves to our last batch of NZ fish and chips.

We got back to Christchurch that evening and went to Shanon's, it was so nice to see her after so long and it was also really nice to sit in a house, on a couch, watching a bit of TV and having your tea made for you. Sausages, mash and gravy, Casson was as happy as a pig in s***, his favourite saying is "Northern boys love gravy"

The next day we went into the centre for a look around. To be honest both of us couldn't believe how much was still to be rebuilt after the devastating earthquake 4 years earlier. After an earthquake happens and you hear about it on the news it's shocking but you quickly forget about it so to see it's impact 4 years on was mind blowing. There are still lots of pop up shops, cafés and bars made out of shipping containers, which actually looked pretty cool. There are walls still being propped up by scaffolding and shipping containers stacked on top of each other to support them.

There is a beautiful cathedral that used to be a centrepiece in the town and it was partially destroyed in the quake and it's likely that it will be demolished rather than rebuilt which has caused huge debates.

What really makes you understand the impact is there are many buildings that now stand empty and on the outside is the date they were checked for bodies and cleared for the last time before they were sealed.

Having said all of this though the kiwi's are resilient and they just go about their daily lives and don't live in fear of another quake.

After a walk round we went to a really cool pop up bar called smash palace for burger and chips and a pint then after we headed back to Shanons local for more beer and to introduce Shanon to the jaeger train (although I don't think she was a fan)

The next day we had a discovery channel day were we watched programmes like gold diggers, Alaska the last frontier etc and to top it all off Shanon cooked the most amazing kiwi lamb roast! After being away for so long you can't underestimate what this meant to us. Even writing this now both our mouths are watering, we could murder a roast dinner.

We had a great time, thanks so much for having us SCOT, don't forget to keep buying those lottery tickets so you can come to the wedding!

Well our time in NZ has come to an end and we've absolutely loved it, great country, amazing scenery and fantastically friendly people and lets not forget Terry, he may have been old, chugged up every hill, his lights went out when we ran the water, the sink kept blocking but we loved him! Oh and a final shout out to our fave shops Pak N Save and Warehouse

Next stop the ping pong capital of the world ..... Bangkok

General points
1) NZ radio is hilarious, there is no filter and they say whatever they want to. At times we've been belly laughing out loud at some of the things they come out with and at others gasping in shock. UK radio is so tame in comparison

2) We will be back, we don't know when but it will be in summer so we can do some of the hikes we weren't able to do on this trip

3) We're hoping that once out of the van normal behaviour will resume and that the van fever recedes, we've morphed into each other!