The day dawned hot and sunny and before a day out in Sydney - we decided to go for a run. Our first for quite a few weeks and as to be expected was hard going. Shirl thoroughly enjoyed it running along (or should we say 'slugging' along) and had a stupid grin on her face much of the time and Dave endured the heat. Home for a shower and into the city. We'd forgotten that Sydney has these amazing trains that are double decker - and so much more comfortable in ru...

On a hot sunny day we delivered our 'home' back to Apollo and held our breath as they examined our van in case they discovered any unknown damage - and the very small dent in the tow bar - and hoped that we wouldn't have to pay $50 for the few plasters out of the First Aid kit. Well we got away with the small dent - but not the $50 and so we are now the unwitting owners of a First Aid kit! We had such an amazing time in New Zealand, to use Arnie's phrase - 'I'll ...

Up early to travel to Christchurch, our last full day in New Zealand, and we've had a blast! A warm but cloudy day, we stopped off to visit Little River craft shop and admire some of the handiwork on sale there. Before we knew it we were in Christchurch and at the Antarctic Centre which was to keep us amused for the next few hours and is well worth a visit. We especially liked the 'snowstorm' room where we donned thick jackets and stood around in a snowbound room...

After the beautiful, warm still evening the night brought rain and wind and the day dawned cool with low grey cloud. We woke early to get to the Blackcat Cruises office as it opened - two cruise liners were due in and we didn't want to get trumped for seats, but even as we looked out on hill/mountain tops obscured by cloud and the grey sea looked distinctly uninviting but felt sure that the dolphin swim would go ahead, that we 'couldn't let this adventure pass...

The bright start to the day that we'd hoped for eluded us and so we decided not to hang around as there was a long drive ahead plus Lake Pukaki had shown us glacial lake splendour instead of Tekapo so it was pack the van and go. We are proud to say that our record of never quite locking everything away or strapping it down remains intact. Can we manage to get through the next few days still missing something out on our pre-departure check?! We'll see! We stopp...