We wandered around Wellington in the little time we had, then we went to Emma and David's room with a bottle of fizz and red wine to share room service, so the kids could sleep.

The great thing about many NZ hotels/motels are the room facilities. In Welllington at the Bolton there was a full kitchen including a combined washer /dryer, so whilst we ate, I was able to catch up on all my washing, unfortunately they don't self iron!!

Emma was spending Monday sorting out her tax number and phones etc , but a bit of a problem with the the two children with no buggy, courtesy of BA.

Got cab Monday morning to Wellington airport and had an uneventful flight to Christchurch -fortunately our new room at the George was ready for us as we arrived at 12-30. Now off for lunch and a bit of tourism.

We went to Bon Bouli for a light lunch and then visited Cathedral - total con -even at Pensioners rate of $8 each!! - no bigger than Pershore Abbey and less interesting.

Then spent hours walking around about 12 outdoor shops looking for a lightweight fleece for Peg- fortunately we found one, other wise we would have gone today as well!!

Eat in evening at Hays - speciality Lamb resto - 4 minutes walk from Hotel must have been good, Peg has booked for us to go again Tuesday evening.

Spoke to Emma Tues morning who has located buggy and is off in their hire car to Napier en route to Hamilton. We walked to the Botanical gardens by Christ College School -teenage chaps in stripped blazers and shorts! Bot Gardens very interesting and FREE. There was a strange exhibit area of false tombstones and a coffin. We later saw a TV programme where the Duchess of Northumberland was discussing her garden of poisonous plants, which were being replicated in the Botanical Gardens. After snack lunch got bus (50 pence each way per person!) to the Gondola which is about 7 miles out of town. Gondola goes up mountain - we then walked along the crater top overlooking Christchurch and Lyttleton Harbour, at the end of the walk we got talking to a couple who live in Cornwall (but she like Peg was an Essex girl!). They had just toured the South island and gave us lots of advise- about an hour's worth!!

We got Gondola back down and caught bus back to town. We were the last people off the bus at the last stop at the Casino just by our hotel and the lady bus driver decided we were worth talking to - 15 minutes later we actually got off the bus!!

Weather fine and sunny with temps in early 20's. We had text message from Rog who is 500 miles north of Sydney, so we presume they are still driving down.

There are few Maoris here -they are principally in the North Island- there is obviously a tension between White and Maori- Emma was warned off buying a house in the town near her prison as it was "maori and hostile". It was suggested she lived in Cambridge a bit further away and where houses were dearer but population was principally white!!

Off tomorrow in the dreaded camper van to Oamaru then onto to Queenstown- will hope to get access to an internet cafe and down load photos- Bryan