Hi All,

Sorry its been such a long time since we wrote but its a lot harder to write the bloggs and put pictures on when we are staying on camping grounds. Supprisingly New Zealand are a bit behind the times with technology so we take the opportunity when we can.

I think the last time i worte anything was when we were in Hamner Springs at the thermal pools. We had a great time there and after travelling around for about a week with Neil and Sarah (We met them in OZ) they left us and headed up to Picton to catch their ferry.

We decided to go back down to Christchurch that day and stayed at Akaroa for the night. It was a bit scary as we pulled up onto picnic spot and didnt see the no camping sign untill it had gone dark so we decided to stay there anyway but just as we were going to sleep a car pulled up and i had to wake Jack up as i thought someone was trying to get into the car. They werent it was just my paranoia they had done pretty much the same thing as us but it took me ages to get to sleep as i was listening for noises! From there the next day we went through to Timaru. We spent the day on the beach and did a loevly coastal walk then camped up for the night. The next day we headed for Oamaru where we had a look around the old style town and had a bit of lunch in the fantastic public gardens. We were going there to see the yellow eyed penguins but when we got there you could only see them at night and it was really expensive so we thought we'd give it a miss, after all im sure we can see penguins again at some point! We then decided after looking at the map to head towards Lake Aviemore for the night and take a look at the huge dam that was there. We found a free conservation camp ground and parked up for the night. WHile we were making dinner on our small, on eringed camp stove we met an old guy called Ralf who was in his 60's staying in a huge motor home with his wife. They were originally for Plymouth and i think they took a liking to us, either that or they just felt sorry for us and invited us for a coffe which we accepted and sat in luxury for a coupl eof hours and they even fed us biscuits !!!!!!!! The next day we had to go and say buy and had another coffee and headed on our way to Lake Pukaki (where Jack had a swim) then onto Lake Tekapo for the night. We didnt really do much, had a dip in the lake and relaxed for the afternoon.

From there we set off to Mount Cook village where we did a 3.5 hour walk to a massive lake with icebergs in it that had broke off the mountain. We splashed our feet in the water but it was far too cold to have a swim as it was ice water. You can see thepictures as we've put them on now and it was amazing, well worth the walk. We satyed at this conservation camp ground for the night and saw some Alpine Parrots being tagged. We were a bit anoyed as the ranger woke us up at 7.30 to pay our camping fees!!!!!!!!

From Mount Cook we headed for Queenstown which is where they do all the extremesports. We'd arranged to meet up with another couple that we had done our first diving with in Thailand. Jack plucked up the courage to do a bungy jump and booked it and you can see the photos on the site. Theyre not fantastic but the best ones you had to pay for as usual so those on the site are the ones i took from where i could watch him do it. To get to the bungy we had to take a cable car called a gondola up the mountain which took a lot of persuading for me as it was so steep.Any how it was all over for him in 15 minutes s hes contemplating doing another one! We met up with Lee and Helen and stayed 2 nights in Queenstown and then set off for Milford Sound. We spent the day there which was amazing. It rained so much that day but i think we got a better view of the places as the run off down the mountains was amazing. If it hadnt been raining we'd have had a better view but the waterfalls wouldnt have been so dramatic. We did a few walks in the freezing cold then late afternoon went to Te Anu to stay the night as we were all cold and wanted a nice hot shower! Lee and Helen left us the necxt day and Jack and I decided to do a walk in Manapouri where we found a great book shop that brought all our books off us and we managed to find some good new ones so im happy now as i have something to read! We stayed at a fantastic little camp site last night which was essentially a farm but had hot showers, kitchen and TV woohoo! Yesterday was our 4 year anniversary so Jack cooked a lovely meal for us both.

Today we are going to Wanaka but to get to it you have to come back through Queenstwon so we stopped in to use email and get petrol. We'll spend a few days there and were meeting back up with Lee and Helen tonight then were headed up the west coast towards the glaciers. Mom and Dad arrive in less than 2 weeks so it will be really good to see them, ive missed them loads. Its hard to beleive in 2 days we will have been away for 4 months, only 2 left. Where has the time gone?

Anyway next time we write a blogg we will probably have walked the Franz Josef Glacier so we can tell you all about that. New Zealand is a fantasitc country and i dont think we can describe in words top you all how beautiful and breath taking the scenery is. I hope the phots do it justice!

Take care miss you all and speak again soon

Love Liz and Jack xxxxxxxx