Once we reached Christchurch the first task was to secure those all important tickets for the Canterbury Crusaders Super 15 rugby game against the South African Kings team from Port Elizabeth. Once this had been successfully achieved we ventured into the city centre by bus. Much of the city has been destroyed by the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes and we spent some time walking around the Botanic Gardens and what was left of the actual centre, although large parts h...

We drove from Dunedin up the east coast and then inland to Twizel. On the way we stopped off at Moerecki Beach where some perfectly spherical boulders litter the beach in a random fashion, as though a giant has been interrupted while playing a game of marbles. Nobody knows how they were formed. We also took the time to visit some Maori rock paintings en route and then found the most deserted lakeside for lunch. There was nobody else for miles - truly tranqui...

Arrived at campsite in Dunedin and decided to catch a bus into town. After waiting 20 minutes with Roger pacing backwards and forwards and becoming mighty uncomplimentary about NZ public transport, we realised that it was half past two and not half past one - which explained both the missing bus and my rumbling tum! Anyway eventually made it into the city and found a lovely Irish pub for lunch. Decided to take a guided walk and were introduced to our guide, a ...

Having tried and failed to persuade every single bar with Sky in Queenstown that it would be really good business to open up three or four hours early and combine a full English breakfast with a chance to watch England play Wales for the six nations decider we decided to cut our losses and try Te Anau. A quick look in Lonely Planet, followed by a phone call assured us that the Moose Bar did have a set with ESPN and we would be able to watch the repeats of the six...

We drove from Kaiteriteri in the Abel Tasman National Park to the glacier region, stopping en route to enjoy the ravishing Hokitika Gorge where milky blue water flows through a steep-sided ravine. The colour of the water derives from glacial flour and is truly spectacular. The glacier region is also awe inspiring. We stayed at Fox Village and in the evening went for a walk called the Minnehaha track through rain forest. In day time it is lovely but at night...