We moved up the coast to Motuaka on Wednesday and had a great day. We took a boat trip up to the Abel Tasman National Park and were left on a deserted beach. We took a short walk through the forest until we reached another fantastic beach where we ate our picnic and waited for the boat to collect us later. We saw seals swimming in the sea and jumping off the rocks which was a real treat.

On Thursday we travelled through Murchison and stopped at New Zealand's longest swing bridge over the Bullar Gorge. This bridge is 120m long and Poppy was brave enough to walk accross on her own (twice) whilst Noah was carried in a backpack. We then went for a walk around the area that used to be full of goldmines and we looked a an old mine shaft. There was also a small section wth pictures of the 1929 Murchison earthquake so now Poppy will tell you all about tectonic plates and demonstrate with her hands how eartquakes occur.

We then travelled on to Westport on the west coast and went to a seal colony. There were hundreds of them jumping on and off the rocks and we were able to observe them at very close range.

Today we have been to a coal Mining musuem in Westport (who says I never spoil my family) and travelled on to Punakaiki wher we have lokked at the pancake rpcks. The weather here is excellent and we have decided to stay her this evening as there is a campsite nearby.

You may think from my entries that this holiday is easy going as we have not undertaken any of the high adrenalin stuff yet but I can assure you that we are always tired at the end of the day. This is a typical day:

7.00-7:30am The kids wake up demanding breakfast.

7:30am Get up , dress kids , take kids bed down , get breakfast.

8:30 Wash up, tidy van, throw rubbish away

9:00-10:00 am Set off for new destination

12:00 Have lunch (usually a pic nic)

1:00-4:00 afternoon activities

4:00 Arrive at camp site

5:00 Cook dinner

6:00 Wash up and tidy van

6:30 Set bed up for the kids, shower kids and get them ready for bed

7:30 kids are usually asleep

7:30-8:00 Have showers

8:00 Open wine

8:30-9:00 Plan the next days route

9:00-10:00 Watch Billy Connelly's world tour of New Zealand

10:00-11:00 Play cards and back gammon.

Go to sleep and start again.

I have missed out the unexpected events such as children waking up in the middle of the night for drinks etc but I think you get the picture