Hello folks from Christchurch...

Sorry that we ended the last blog rather abruptly but we were running out of time on the PC and had to wrap it up real quick so i will continue from where we left off...

Kaikoura - as well as seeing whales and dusky dolphins on the boat trip we also saw a fur seal colony (they stink!) and little seal pups which were quite cool! We also saw some blue penguins which apparently are the smallest penguins in the world! After the trip we walked back up to the camp site and stopped on the way up at a chippy so i could try the local delicacy - crayfish... it was very tasty indeed although it wanted to be as it was not cheap! it was not like the little crayfish we get back home but more like a big lobster (i think there is a photo of it just before i devoured it).

Next day it was up the coast to a surf spot called Mangamaunu, the waves were not brilliant - quite small and not very consistent but i still managed to catch a couple of rippers! It was a beautiful day, sunny, warm, clean crystal clear water and not too many people about so i surfed for an hour or 2 as Frankie worked on her tan by the shoreline!

The day after we were on the move again, this time to our final destination in NZ - Christchurch. We arrived Friday afternoon and basically had a quiet day, found a campsite then picked up our tickets for the cricket.... probably best not to talk about the cricket as it was another lacklustre display from England, poor batting, bowling and fielding resulting in us losing! what a suprise! We still had a good day though, there was a pretty good atmosphere and lots of banter between the fans although some took this a little far and ended up getting chucked out by the police! Dont worry though we were very well behaved and represented our county with dignity and were gracious in defeat!

Well thats where we're up to, its Sunday now and we fly to Bali on Tuesday afternoon so we have a day or so of sorting out our stuff, packing up and then returning our van before we head to the airport on tuesday afternoon. I will be sad to hand the van back although i dont think Frankie will be - she is craving a real bed and some comfort! So i think Bali will be very relaxed - lots of surfing for me and pampering for Frankie!

It has been a real adventure and we have loved every minute of it! Although its a scary thought coming back home to real life we are both really looking forward to seeing all our family and friends and also getting back to our little house in Blaydon!

Take care everyone see you all in a few weeks!

Chris and Frankie