In honour of our time in Vietnam we made our own spring rolls. This time there was no confusion as to their contents - in Hanoi Leah asked in a restaurant if they contained seafood or meat - after being assured they contained neither they arrived with both pork and prawns - but thankfully Dann the food taster was on hand to avert a disaster. Our homemade ones were 100% vegetarian and just as yummy - although they cost 5 times as much!!!!! Oh how I miss Asia an...

The Sun Setting Over Another Perfect Day Our last day in Blenheim was filled with wine tastings, starting with the famous Cloudy Bay and many other vineyards that distribute their excellent wares in England. We've been staying in a fabulous little BnB studio cottage at the end of an amazing garden. Our hosts have invited us to share a curry feast with them, with home grown veges, liberally washed down with some local wine. Yummy! Thanks H&L. LZ

A Valentine's dinner for DW and LZ in their little love nest in the wine country. Dinner (home made) a local glass of wine and a trashy movie. Perfecto!

Perhaps my favourite thing about the South Island so far is this kilo block of yummy, mature cheddar. Good cheese, as most things, is quite expensive here so I was over the moon to find this huge block on special offer at less than one half its size. Woo hoo! LZ

Location, location North of the South Island is a beautiful place to be. We started this morning in a Department of Conservation (DOC) hut in the Abel Tasman National Park - pretty basic and lots of snoring dorm sharers but less than a minute from the beach and next to the bush. We tramped back to civilisation through lush forest, beautiful bays and scenic, hill viewpoints. Followed up with one of the most scenic drives in NZ up and over Takaka Hill, and really...