First of all Happy 18th Birthday to my nephew Jack (see photo!) So we've started our 14 day 'Manuka' tour of the South Island with a company called Active New Zealand. We've got two guides Lofty - yep he's 6ft 8" and H - Heather as well as just two other guests; Martin a retired surgeon and Patricia a retired teacher - both very lovely (albeit a bit posh). Apparently there were 3 Americans due to be with us but they are in the military and their leave was cancel...

I'm back after a week in cold, damp blustery England. Great to catch up briefly with friends and family but also a relief to get back on a plane! So we (Mum and I) arrived after a long (26hrs) but good flight in Christchurch. Business class just makes it such an enjoyable way to travel and great to be able to let mum experience it - however it could be my last time unless I go back to the corporate world (apart from the return leg of course)... Checked in to C...