Hello everyone,

When Peter Jackson picked New Zealand to film Lodr of the Rings it shouldn't have been a surprise, the only surprise is that no one ever thought of it before. The whole place really looks like a film set, even through the rain!

We've had the van for a few days now and once we got used to driving automatic, we've loved every second of it. We've taken the van up to Kaikoura to stay the night and see the seal colony. We arrived in the dark at the first campsite we found but when we woke up, the whole town was surrounded by snow covered mountains. The seal pups were fantastic and a real treat. You view the pen from about 20 yards away and see the pups playing in rock pools while mums watch on. Being the only people there only made it better!

Yesterday we spent the day at Hanmer Springs, some natural Sulphur bathing pools. . . a bit smelly but very relaxing! The weather was fantastic yesterday but awful now!

We're back in Christchurch to see the rugby tonight and head south tomorrow.

Love to everyone

Greg and Steph xxx