The misty mountains Kia Ora, We woke up after a looooonnnngggg night battling the rain and the wind. Sarah did not sleep well-hence getting up at 9.15 and leaving the campsite late - 10.03! Opps. we decided to drive down to the famous glaciers - franz josef. Apparently amazing drive as the mountains get closer.......unfortunately, we couldn't see sod all mountains - cloudy and rain! It went on for a good 16 hours and is still going on/off as we sit, post BBQ, ...

Come Rain or Shine The show must go on whatever the weather and this is very much a tale of two weather patterns. We were told to expect that the South Island could offer 4 seasons and to be prepared for it. Well, it's a good job that we did!! Let's start with Spring...... We awoke Saturday morning and used the wifi at the camp to assure family we are still alive before heading off towards the Abel Tasman National Park on the North West of the South Island. The...

The Beautiful South What can I say so far? She's a perfect 10? Enough about Sarah.... Let's get onto telling u what we have been up to.  Busy as always, we awoke yesterday and headed straight for Wellington.  We stopped by a couple of LOTR film sets on the way and then spent a few hours in the city before heading onto the Ferry to cross the Cook Straight to the port of Picton on the South Island. The ferry crossing was awesome and the scenery as you arrived i...

Tongariro Crossing Well.... That was hard works but what a sense of achievement at the end of it. An 8 hour walk completed in 6 and a half hours. Not at all easy but well worth the effort for the stunning views. The walk incorporates a lot of the Scenery that was used to film LOTR... Most notably the mountain used as Mount Doom and also the volcanic rock land that made up the plains of Mordor. Stunning Scenery, absolutely breathtaking and they say that this is ...

What a Few Days!!! We have been out of touch...... Out of WIFI and also.... Out of this world!!! Here's why..... 15/11/11 A day of driving. Having left the bay of Islands, it was time to head South to continue with our tour of the North Island. LOTS of driving but LOTS of sites and LOTS of fun. We started by heading back through Whangarei and popped into town to have a quick look at the hospital and the housing market and prices. Bungalows or 'Sheds' as they ...