Just passing through the airport today on our way to Singapore. Last minute goodbyes to Pat, Aiden and Angus who met us at the airport. Sorry we have not managed to download photos yet. Our internet access has been limited - hope to have more luck in Singapore and Malaysia!G'day

On Thursday 28th February we flew to Hobart. Unfortunately the weather was not too kind to us and we had a damp and chilly start. However, we took ourselves on a walking tour of the city ending up with fish and chips from one of the floating fish vendors in the docks area. Friday's weather was no better but we drove to Port Arthur and spent the day exploring the penal settlement there and learnt about the discipline, punishment and education methods pioneered her...

We arrived in Sydney on 13th February and have been enjoying being in our Aussie "home away from home"! Unlike New Zealand, Australia has been having a very wet and fairly cool summer, although fortunately there hasn't been much rain since we arrived. The time here has passed very quickly as we have been catching up with our nephews and nieces and picking up tips from John and Pat who spend lots of time with their three grandsons. We have made a trip to...

We arrived at Mount Cook N.P. on Wednesday (6th) enjoying fantastic views of the magnificent snow-capped Mount Cook as we drove the length (25 km) of Lake Pukaki. We couldn't have wished for better weather in this area that has a high level of rainfall and cloud. We parked at the head of the Hooker Valley along which we walked to reach the glacier terminal and the lake - a return trip taking about three hours. We spent the night here at the campsite with very few...

On Thursday (31st) after taking a look at Fox Glacier we continued on south following the coast for a while, then turning inland entering Mount Aspiring N.P. to drive through the Haast Pass to Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. This was a very picturesque drive which brought us to the town of Wanaka. On Friday (1st Feb) the weather was cloudy but we decided to drive up the Matukituki Valley(on gravel roads) and walk the Rob Roy Track to the glacier. The clouds turned to rai...