03.03.11 Amberley to Christchurch and then to Springfield and Kowai Reserve Today we were up with the lark to watch our final sunrise over the Pacific ocean in the sheltered Pegasus Bay from an Amberley Beach bench. The sun rose at 7.08am, it was somewhat autumnal in temperature so we breakfasted accordingly, hot drink and honey on toast, not quite porridge weather though. We had agreed with Viv and George our Christchurch friends to go to their house mid morn...

02.02.11 Okiwi scenic Reserve via Kaikoura and then Amberley We were up for the sunrise over the Pacific ocean, and the early morning freight rain before heading to Kaikora as Liz and Jim were booked on to a whale watching trip at 9.30am. The sea was very rough and it was windy but their captain decided to depart because the whales were in the sheltered bay (unlike for our trip!) There was also a school of 300 dolphins in the bay. These were so close in that D...

27.02.11 Waikawa Today we took a day off and had a relaxing day. We drove to Waikara which has a marina and a small village beach area. It is set between the hills that we walked in yesterday and is a very tranquil little place. Having wondered round the harbour and mariner we found it was lunch time so we stopped at a restaurant overlooking the marina and just sat, read the papers and watched the activity whilst soaking up the views. The village has a very s...

21.02.11 Lake Wanaka Through the Haast Pass to Jacobs River All was bright and breezy this morning as we left the camper park site. As we drove around Lake Wanaka it became clear that once through the valley there would be rain. The wind was funnelling through the neck of the valley turning the still lake into a grey, white horse covered mass quite different from the deep turquoise colours displayed during our first hours drive. We journeyed deep into the gor...

25.02.11 Nelson to PictonThis morning was bright and breezy and the view from our camper was stunning. We enjoyed a lazy breakfast which lead into coffee and then left for Picton. Liz and Jim are doing the Queen Charlotte Walk Saturday, Sunday and Monday so Damian and I are going to base ourselves around the Picton area.We stopped for some fresh steamed green mussels from Havelock, and Damian tried a whitebate patty, a sort of omlette with whole whitebait looking...