After dropping the campervan off we headed back into Christchurch. The hail carried on all afternoon but we were glad to be in our apartment and chilled out for the afternoon. We had our bottle of bubbles from Chard Farm and then went out for dinner at the Tap Room. After a few drinkies and far too much steak (Mum & Alicia both having had the BEAST - 400g steaks!) we went back - a proper bed (until we realised our hotel backed onto the nosiest clubs in town and that our room had a velux window which wasn't much fun with the hail).

The next day it was time for Mum to head back to the UK so we got up earlyish and went to the airport together. We'd had such fun in the camper and we were sad to see her go (but not envious of her 38 hour journey home!). We had another chilled out day and got up to date with washing and shopping and after a fantastic Indian takeaway we headed to bed (we actually moved the mattress onto the floor of the lounge for a bit of peace and quiet!).

Then it was time to pick up the new campervan. After a bit of confusion (they couldn't find our booking!) we set off for Picton. We stopped at the supermarket and stocked up and when we arrived we headed into town but it seemed we were the only ones with that idea - it was a bit of a ghost town - the first bar we went into closed as we were leaving (6pm!) but we found another bar and had a few drinks before heading back to BBQ in the rain!

And so the rain carried on (can't complain - we've been so lucky with the weather), so we chilled out in the van, read and went on the internet. We thought we'd go out when the rain stopped but it didn't so we stayed in and had a chilli.

The following day was much better and it was lovely sunshine when we woke up so we headed off earlyish and went on Queen Charlottes Drive which had fantastic views of the Malborough Sounds. We then went 'cross country' to Okiwi Bay and onto French Pass (the scariest hairiest drive ever!). We stayed on a Department of Conservation campsite and there was only two other vans there. What a spot, we reversed the van in and open the back doors straight onto the beach - WOW WOW WOW. We had some lunch and stared out to sea for hours until sunset - so beautiful.

Our first morning in French Pass we were greeted by the MOST amazing sunrise - what a start to the day and for the rest of the day we couldn't move it was so peaceful so that's where we stayed for the day.

As we were running out of power and water, we set off for Nelson the next day. We'd picked what looked to be a really nice campsite but when we arrived it wasn't quite like the pictures so we decided to head further up towards Abel Tasman and had a night in Motueka - power! We made the most of our Top 10 card (we're regulars now) and had a free Spa in the afternoon. Another BBQ and then bed.

The following two days were spent in Abel Tasman. Winter has really statred here as the only two Cafe's in town were closed until October! We arrived in good time to get a water taxi up to Anchorage and then did a 12km walk back to the camp. The scenery is fantastic, the beaches and the forest - truly unique. A quiet evening ready for another walk the next day.

We were up and about by 7.30am - bit of a shock to the system - and went to catch the water taxi to Bark Bay. It took about 30 mins and we were dropped off on the beach. Another wonderful walk, another 12km but a bit more challenging. We'd planned it so we finish at Awora - the only hotel/restaurant in the park - so we had a wonderful lunch and a bottle of Pinot Noir, definatley our kind of outdoor life! we had lunch and walked down bare foot to the beach to wait for the water taxi to take us back. Another relaxed evening.

The weather was glorious again the next day so we set off up to Farewell Spit. We'd missed the only boat that day out to the spit (6am!) so we sat in the cafe and had tea and cake in the sunshine with the brilliant views of the spit. not a bad life! Our home for the evening was Pohara in Golden Bay and the campsite was right on the front again. Caught up on washing etc and then had a few drinks in 'town' before another BBQ and bed.

We set off the next day to head back to Chrsitchurch via Picton - or so we thought....about 20km's from Nelson the van decided to cut out for no reason. We pulled onto the side of the road before the power steering went completely. We waited a few mins and tried to start it and got going again. To be on the safe side we reported the problem and were asked to take the van to the garage in Nelson. We walked into town to get some lunch and waited for them to call with the verdict on the van. When they got in touch the good news was they could fix it, the bad news was they needed a part which had to be flown in from Auckland so it wouldn't ready until the next day! After a few phone calls we accepted we'd be spending the night in Nelson and booked into a Backpackers. The Hostel turned out to be the best we've stayed in so we counted our blessings (hippy travellers that we are) and went out for a curry and a skinful of lager!

The garage called first thing the next day and we were back there by 10am to pick up the van and head back to Christchurch (6 hour drive). We stopped after about an hour for a pie (best hangover cure New Zealand has to offer) and made our way towards Havelock and then ..... guess what......the van cut out again! To cut a long story short we had to be towed back to Nelson (even slower than normal!) and then fly back to Christchurch so we could catch our flight to Oz the next day! Not the end of the world but a real shame as we'd treated ourselves to a nice hotel for our last night. We got there in time to have a bite to eat before going to bed.

So our time is up in New Zealand - 7 weeks has just flown by. It is the most stunning and diverse place we've ever been and it's certainly stole our hearts. The scenery changes from rainforest to rugged coastline then to white sand beaches and then glaciers. We've loved out time here and can't believe we have to leave but Oz here we come!