Hello All,

We're now in Queenstown, arrived here this morning after another night of free camping at the side of the road. We even got to try out our solar shower! It was pretty cold but it worked (at least in the sense that it's a bag full of water that you have to pull up a tree, open the tap and stand under).

Before that we'd been to Milford Sound in Fiordland which was an absolutely stunning place. Snowcapped mountains, deep valleys, waterfalls, lakes - the works. Felt a bit odd, almost like you were in Europe somewhere (Norway perhaps??) and not at all so very far away from home. The drive there and back was quite hair raising, we didn't think Roger, our little campervan, would make it back as it was so steep in some places we could only go in 2nd gear. On the way back we stopped and climbed up Key Summit. Well, walked I should say but it was pretty hard work. It started raining when we got halfway there but the views were still spectacular. We're trying to post the pictures but the internet connection seems to be to slow so it's not working as yet.

The only problem with all these lakes is that there are millions of sandflies living around them. The campsite we stopped at on the way to Milford Sound was buzzing with the things. We tried the anti bug candles but they didn't help. Anytime you step outside and stand still for more than 30 seconds you become sandfly feast. There always something eh ; )

Queenstown is apparently the adventure sports capital of the world and there are loads of mad things you can do. Just walking along the road you see people paragliding above your head. We don't have money for any of that (and seceretly I'm quite glad) so we're moving on again tomorrow. Franz Josef and Fox glacier next stop. After that it's back to the east coast where we'll hope to see some whales and hang out with some dolphins! Can't wait!

Hope you're all well and coping with reality after the hols. Must be tough ... he he he : )

Lots of love,

Paul & Betty.