This blog ends at the start in that we've travelled a full circle in the last 2 weeks. We picked up Maeve from the airport in Christchurch and drove in our "super saver" rental car to Methven for some skiing. On Friday the conditions on Mount Hutt were glorious with good snow, blue skies and spectacular views over the Canterbury plains out to the South Pacific Ocean.We were also feeling very pleased with ourselves having found the best hostel since we...

It's been quick first week here in New Zealand and all of the cold weather warnings were taken on board before we left Sydney. The rucksacks got a mini makeover, dispensing the flip flops and boardies for ski socks and thermals. A quick fact before you read on, (I know you're dying to know), there are 40 of the wolly faces to one human in New Zealand. We flew into Christchurch and spent our first night in Base hostel, bang in the centre. We wondered around the...