For those of you still reading we are alive and well in Australia, but have had a really hectic schedule to keep to, which has kept us away from our journal for over a month. Hopefully the break has refreshed us though, as a lot of people were wandering if we'd become writers for the Lonely Planet. OK, it did get a bit factual there for a while, so we apologise and will try to keep Rich's geekiness under control. It is hard to write literary genius whilst surrounded by Asian cyber-nerds screaming across the room though!

So our last stop in New Zealand was Christchurch (the largest city in the South Island), where we would hand back our Spaceship. Luckily we had an old model, so our pebble scratches and windscreen chips blended in with all the old ones and we kept our deposit.

Christchurch is a pretty city (and lively by New Zealand standards) on the Avon River, and as the most English city in New Zealand (well it had an English pub and a few old-style English buildings) reminded us of home a little. We also got to meet the Kiwi version of David Brent, who was this sad, divorced 40 year old who worked his way around the whole pub boring poor tourists with his life story and instances of racism. He also told us how much better off he was in New Zealand than in England (where his family were from), which has become a bit of a theme over here. Locals can't wait to put down England and tell you how great New Zealand is, though generally we've found the people really nice, and can admit New Zealand is a pretty special place. The weather is better than home, there's only four million people living in a country the size of the UK so there's loads of space, and it's stunningly beautiful, with mountain ranges, lakes, glaciers, beautiful beaches and it's so green. Unfortunately it is boring compared to England, but would be the place we'd most like to live outside of England if we ever moved.

So highlights of New Zealand would have to be our skydive, Milford Sound, the penguin parade at Oamuru, whale watching at Kaikoura, the Maori Experience at Rotorua, Hobbiton and ice-trekking on the Franz Josef Glacier, and not forgetting our farm stay with Rich's sister and family, and staying with Allison's Uncle Eddie and Jude. Negatives are kiwi drivers, who seem to think that overtaking on blind corners is a good way to drive.

Finally, if you need to tell an Aussie from a Kiwi, ask them to say "Fish and chips, and ten eggs on the deck", and if it comes out "fsh and chups, and teen eeeegs on the deek" they're definitely Kiwi's. Oh, and they never where shoes either. Even grown men and women walk the streets and supermarkets barefoot. Strange bunch, but a great country!