Woke up by the bay late, Matts wrecked driving so we lay in until 10.30 and head off in search of the airport. We don't fly until tomorrow but as it's so close Jacq wanted to check in with the New Zealand airlines as we booked our flight via a useless agency hat has no contact details to enquire about adding a case for the guitar. The airport is fairly big but easy enough to find the airline she's delighted to discover the flight includes two cases and all food a...

We have not really slept being soooo excited and all and get to the door for a 9.30am tour costing $75 each. We are like kids as we board the bus into Alexander Farm where the magic happened first in 1999. It's only a 5 min drive and we are taken by coach. We arrive to the entry point of the Shire and our guide gives us great knowledge of it all during filming and Peter Jackson himself. This was initially, in 1999, an artificial set which was easily disposed of...

Not fussed on hanging around and with so much to do we make tracks for Taupo early. It's off to discover hot springs and the "craters of the moon" today. We decide to start at the tourist info spot to get a better grasp on our route. The lady there does our head in quite quickly promoting expensive tours we just want info on what's free really being on a budget - her response "nothing is free" we grab a map and head off. We make tracks firstly to the occupied M...

Woke up at Picton rugby club for our ferry ride to Wellington nice enough free campsite with decent loos which is always a luxury! We set off to the local library stuck doing annoying flat sale carry on for our solicitor back in England - noisiest library ever! Load of foreign cruise types face timing families much to the dismay of locals. We headed to the ferry terminal, our ferry is delayed half an hour so we make use of the showers at $2 a pop - bargain can...

Had an amazing day today - the French Pass at Marlborough Sounds was beautiful to wake up to. Jacq went to the shop where everything seems to be $5 regardless of the item, most expensive milk ever, and we headed off after breakfast back the way we came throw the windiest roads ever hangover free. They are a death trap and it's more apparent as we pass the cliff edge noticing two seperate sections police taped from recent accidents. It's stunning but idiot driver...