We drove through Lewis Pass and more murky weather to the wild frontier of the West Coast (Gold Country!), unsure of what to do or where to stay. We had arranged some WWOOFing but hadn't planned to go there for a few more days. WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) is a scheme whereby travellers can help out on farms in return for bed and board. There are literally hundreds of farms throughout the country and it's pretty much pot luck whether you'll find some...

The cloud had descended as we woke in Kaikoura and prepared to hit the road again. We drove into the Southern Alps but were only treated to sporadic views of the mountains through the white mist and gloom. Hanmer Springs was lovely and very alpine and we stayed at a great little hostel called Le Gite. It was very cosy and felt like someone's house. Our room was nice but the stay was marred by their bread machine waking us up at three in the morning knead some f*...

Having booked ahead for a whale watching trip and a dolphin swimming trip, we left Renwick very excited about what lay ahead at Kaikoura. Once again the weather was fab and as we arrived, we were treated to a spectacular view of the snowy Ranges. The hostel (Dusky Lodge) wasn't the most cosy or plush but it had a sauna, a hot tub and free cream cakes for some reason. We checked in straight away at the Whale Watch and sat nervously waiting for the coach to the bo...

On Friday the 13th we left Maple Lodge. Everyone got up early to say farewell which was a great send off. Most of the gang i will see when we return to Wellington but Ian and Laura are jetting off to Vanuatu before going home so who knows when i'll see them again! Blub! Stay in touch lovelies. We had the perfect day for a Cook Strait crossing and it was just beautiful. We saw dolphins five times. Not in the open sea but all in the Malborough Sounds. And miracles...

So the great day arrived and Dan was due to land at Wellington airport at 2.30pm, so i got there at 1pm...just to make sure i was on time! A bit keen but yes i was pretty much beside myself with excitement. It felt strange and nerve wracking - like a blind date or something. As the automatic door swooshed over and over again letting streams of people into the Arrivals hall, the first view of New Zealand that every person had was of a crazed blonde bird sporting...