We have spent 3 days here and had a great time. The weather has been really hot, the scenery is unbelievable. High in the New Zealand Alps with lakeside settlements surrounded by mountains. Loads to do but we have spectatored some!! Too old for bungee jumping. Just back from spending a pleasant evening listening to the local folk singer in the local. Just like old times!!!

Have arrived on the South Island via the Coastal Pacific railway. We spent 2 nights in Christchurch which still has a lot of earthquake damage to repair. The centre has been badly damaged and is closed of so the Kiwis have set up a shopping centre made from shipping containers - very inventive. Took the Trans-Alpine train across to Greymouth which covered some pretty amazing scenery. Picked up our car for the week, Toyota Rav 4 & drove up to the Franz Josef...