Not a great deal to say about Lake Tekapo. Although as usual, the place is pretty stunning. The journey here was a good one though. We blasted out Queen songs (we appear to have become their new tribute act, much to the annoyance of the other passengers!) The driver, thinking he was being highly amusing, left at one stop without us. As ever, we got the last laugh by jumping on a coach full of old tourists and driving off with them! It certainly brightened up the...

We arrived at Dunedin, a small city, still on the south island. Now, at home, I can imagine that you cannot go anywhere without something Christmassy being in your face. I am not kidding you, the decorations in Uttoxeter High Street are better than anywhere we have seen here. New Zealand just don't seem to 'do' Christmas properly. Anyway, today it was Leah's turn to win a competition. Bug Bingo. Everyone had a square grid on the bus windscreen...

As you can see, I managed to get in the second skydive. Leah also came and did it with me, I shared my prize so we both got a half price skydive. The weather was absolutely perfect. My guy came to strap me in, he was from Bulgaria, he asked me if I knew where it was, so I said, near Croatia. Not a great start, apparently it's near Turkey. Anyway, after a bit of Smith banter, I had totally won him over. He presented me with a white skull cap so I asked ...

And so I am up to date, writing about the town I am sitting in! You will all be pleased to hear that my years in drama training, my degree and my recent experiences with the Checkley Players have all finally come to good use! For I have won a fantabulous competition here in Queenstown on account of my performing abilities. With each drink we bought, we got a raffle ticket. Ten thirty came and the winner was announed. Our bus driver. So he kindly donated the...

I cannot even begin to describe the view from our hostel in Wanaka. A lake surrounded by snow capped mountains and blue sky. Unreal.We went to an old fashioned cinema in Wanaka which had sofas and an old projector. They made us have homemade icecream before the show and homemade hot cookies in the intermission. It was a really nice evening, even the film, 'You, Me and Dupree' was better than I expected.Wanaka is home of a museum, Puzzling World, which mes...