Hello All,

Finally managed to get onto a computer. Currently staying in a place called Richmond which is about 15 mins outside of Nelson. Am staying with my friend's parents, Alison and Dave. They are lovely, had a yummy dinner - fish and veggies. Been able to shower and do some laundry.

So far i have been to Franz Josef glacier and did a hike across the glacier, this was fun and i had to use crampons so i didnt slip whilst hiking. From there, i have driven up the west coast, got bitten by loads of bloody sandflys. I walked upto the centre of NZ which is in the centre of Nelson. It was pretty hard going as the gradient was pretty steep, but the view was amazing. From here is headed over towards abel tasmin, this is right at the top of the south island and is very beautiful. I stayed in a hostel one night, which was packed out with Germans. Yesterday i did a 4 hr mtb ride which took me through part of the abel rasmin national park up towards goldern bay, really enjoyed this ride and the views where awesome. Once i reached Takaka, i decided i couldn't face the 55km cycle home on the road so amanged to hitch a ride with a funny London geezer called Dave. I brought him a beer as a thank you. Then i camped next to the abel tasmin coast, really enjoyed it at the camp site as i got talking to lots of people and even managed to get a free salmon dinner and red wine, not bad. Today i caught a water taxi from Manhua to Barks Bay, this was so much fun the boat would hit the waves really fast sending in up and down with such force, i loved it. Once at Barks bay i hiked back to my car along the abel tasmin coastal path, this is a must as its very beautiful. Still can't belive i hiked that far too, reckon the distance was about 16km. I ate lunch and went swmming at one of the coves that are dotted along the path, the water is so clear and not cold at all. Am aching loads now but well worth doing. Today has been brillant. Going to have an easy day tomorrow and do a bit of sight seeing in Nelson. My ferry over the north island is at 8 am Thursday, so going to find somewhere to camp in Picton (the ferry port) tomorrow night.

Hope everyone is well, hopefully when i get up to auckland my friend Jenny has a computer so im hoping to download some pitures.

miss you all so much

H xx