No probs on the flight from Sydney on 22nd Feb meeting Gibbo as soon as I got our Motel, good place on the outskirts of town. An hour later we were heading out for plenty of beers, food, and games of pool which my headache told me the next morning I had enjoyed a bit too much.

Got the bus into town on Saturday to get some clothes as many of mine are falling apart and I need some warmer stuff for my Franz Joseph hike. After that we headed straight for the ODI cricket to see England stumble to 243 which they owed largely to Sussex legend Luke Wrights 43. It wasn't enough though and NZ romped to a comfortable victory. We headed into town when some late rain brought an early finish and carried on much as last night, but leaving an Irish Bar after 3 wasn't wise with reasonably early starts in the morning.

Gibbo headed off for a lengthy hike, and I struggled out of bed to check out of the Motel and book into the excellent and cheaper Hotel So in town. Feeling a bit jaded I joined a walking tour of the City during the afternoon and had a quieter and earlier evening. Next day I went to Kaikoura, enjoyable if lengthy coach journey took us to our boat for a two hour cruise. We saw four big whales and loads of dolphins, all reasonably close, brilliant stuff. I booked the Tranzcoastal rail trip back to town, very scenic but not sure it was worth the supplement, sat with a good group and we had a good laugh though.

Today (26th) I got a bus up to the Gondala, on a gloriously sunny and clear day the views were stunning across Lyttleton Harbour and the Mountains. I got outside and had a couple of long walks down and up the hills, with hardly anyone else around so it was so peaceful and the scenery was amazing. In the afternoon I got to Lyttleton and caught the Wildlife Cruise, we didnt see much - a few dolphins and some birds but it was worth it just for the speedy and choppy boat ride out there - I got soaked but managed to just about remain outside but needed a towel from the crew to dry off.

Quiet night ahead this evening, with an early bus booked for Franz Joseph.