Hi there,

Happy New Year to you all. I have loads of pictures but I'm struggling to up-load them. Technology in Akaroa is a bit limited.

New Year's was a quiet affair but very funny. We only had two guests in the hostel. The two were oringinally from England, very odd and had a great dry, british humour. We all got drunk and laughed alot. Kath the owner, usually closes the hostel to save it from being trashed from revellers, as it has done in previous years. The only thing we heard of this year, was that a few things down the street got vandalised. (flowers up-rooted, plant pots broken, etc). Big news, here in Akaroa! The locals were not happy. Akaroa is usually flooded by people during the christmas and new year period.

Life is getting more settled. We get on well with Kath and Bob the mangers and Nick is keeping himself busy with fixing bikes from the adventure centre. I say adventure centre because that is what it is called, but the bikes are heaps of junk and Noah must have used the kayacks. They are ancient and should be in a museum! Still, I shouldn't complain because the owner lends me a bike free of charge.

Kath, the owner, took me for a ride on her horses. She's  even got photograghic evidence. It's the fourth time in 6 months. She has been very kind to us. She even gave us $50 each for Christmas. I spent it buying some new trainers/running shoes. I have put on some weight, (now very curvey  and cuddley, hmmm?). My Gran would have described me as 'looking healthy'. It used to depress me when she used to say that to me. I have started to run again and can run for a hour. I go running along the coastal road that takes me to the maori 'whare runanga', (meeting place). It has a reproduction of a 15th century god stick and war canoe. The road is hilly and the veiws from the banks of the peninsula are spectacular, especially when the sun shines.

The New Zeland summer has been crap.... We have had lots of rain. I read the other week, that its been the worst summer for 60 years. Bloody typical!!!!! We are supposed to be getting a good spell of weather in the next few days. Watch this space.....

I have met some lovely people here at the hostel. We have had great conversations from 3 people from Isreal. They have even invited us out to their home land. Yesterday, I met a nice american girl who works for 'Trek Cycle tours'. She is cycle guide and has cycled in Spain, Italy and France. This morning, we met a guy from Wellington, who is a triathelete.  He will be competing the coast to coast comp in Feb. It a huge event where people come from around the world to compete.

I have made the decision to stay a bit longer in New Zealand. I will eventually fly out on Feb, 28th. It took forever and day to sort out. British Airways was the worst to deal with. They kept me waiting for 20 mins. Not impressed, especially when it was costing me. It was made worse because I was getting baked alive in phone box. It was a hot one yesterday. A guest told me that I would become a kiwi, but I explained it would never happen because I refrain from saying, 'sweet' or 'sweet as' or call everyone 'bro'.  There are so many opportunites out here and so many activites to do.  I still have Austrialia, South East Asia and India to explore and look forward to.  I love travelling. I am having the time of my life.

Take care as alaways

Love Annie