Its been ages since i last posted and the grand tour of NZ is coming to a close. We have spent the past month in the South Island, which, although beautiful like everyone says, is very very cold. We look like marshmallow men, we have so many layers on at once - we raided the Salvation Army and have a lot of mismatched, nasty, but warm clothing and blankets. For the past 3 weeks we have rented a campervan - thats been hilarious. They say you dont know someone til you either live with them or travel with them. Spending a few weeks in a camper should be added to that list. It didnt start off so well, the gas seemed to leak so it reeked, the fly catchcer kept coming open so the b****** sandflies would swarm in, it was filthy, the table was drunk - it was just pretty skanky. The best bit was discovering it leaked during a particularly violent rainstorm. On my side. And Reuben wouldnt swap with me.

We ended up swapping it out for a new one in Queenstown, so now we have a much newer model and its been great so far. Its bloody comfy to sleep it, but its SO small! One of us has to stand in the shower or outside whenever the otherone wants to do something. And our crap is everywherer. Otherwise, a camper is my idea of heaven, i means its essentially a bed on wheels! We put that to the test when i had a hangover and decided to stay in bed while reuben drove to Milford Sound, about 4 hours from Queenstown. I've always wanted a mobile bed, i think its important to fulfill your dreams. Also, its been a right laugh.

Its been rubbish weather for the past week, its just rained every single day. Having a camper in that sense isnt so great cos you do go a bit stir crazy. Luckily we went to a place called Puzzling World which sold a whole host of brainteasers and puzzles, which has been whiling away the hours, but the rain does stink, because the whole van gets wet. Note to self, rent in the summer when you can put up the awning as well as park anywhere, we have been having to pay to stay at the holiday parks cos its so cold we need electricity for the heater.

Aside from lurking in the van, we have done a whole bunch of stuff - climbed the Franz Joseph Glacier which was 8 hours of bonechilling fun, carved pendants out of bone in Nelson, bungy jumped off a bridge in Queenstown (and i got SCARED!) caught and cooked lobster, seaperch and cod in Kaikora (ended up eating fish for every meal for 3 days!) panned for gold in Arrowtown (didnt find any) and kayaked and hiked the Abel Tasman national park.

It still astounds me how amazing the country is, around every corner is a photo opportunity, each one better than the last. And despite all its natural resources it remains so untouched and uncrowded, and despite knowing that its one of the nicest places on earth the people are still so friendly and laid back. I'll be very sad to leave but im definitely coming back, just when its a bit warmer!