This is the lovely home I've been staying in, it would be nice to stay longer but there is lots more of South Island still to see. The kids don't want me to leave either and asked if I could stay for the weekend. I had a lazy day - a trip into the nearest town, Takaka, with a population of 1500. Interesting shops very much for people who want an alternative lifestyle and yoga. Plenty of dreadlocks and hippy dippy characters to watch. Enjoyed a last long walk on...

I drove to Wharariki beach (wh is pronunced as a f) Another sunny day and a few hours walk. Then onto farewell spit, a wetland of international importance and a renowned bird sanctuary, home to thousands of migratory birds in the summer. Not many birds here today apart from 2 old crusty ones complaining about the food, the menu and backpackers. My coffee and cake was lovely. I stopped at the Mussel Inn for dinner on the way back, It's a well known brewery tavern....

This morning I went to pick up a hire car, which I will drop off in Christchurch in 27 days time. So I'm the other side of the world, how many car manufacturers are there? how many models? engine sizes? Colours? Etc. Etc. So my hire car I'm given is the same make, model and colour to the car I drive at home. The difference being it's automatic and has 4 doors. I spent all day driving, getting used to the roads, lots of bends, a big big hill, steep ups and downs. ...