Friday and we're stopping off halfway down the coast between Blenheim and Christchurch for a break at Kaikoura, a small coastal resort for sunseekers and outdoor sporty types, as well as those who come to see the ocean wildlife. It is ideally positioned to view the Southern Wright and Humpback whales when they migrate south. But today we're here to see the Dusky Dolphin. So we head out on a boat to the dolphin feeding grounds about 3 miles offshore-- Robin is ful...

Arrived in Blenheim, South Island, Wednesday 16 Feb., in a 17 seater plane after what must be the shortest flight ever - 15 minutes in the air. Picked up our third rental car and drove the short distance to our B&B in the Marlborough town of Blenheim. Maison Grange is a truly charming French-style B&B, run by one of New Zealand's top cookery writers and her husband (in addition to running their small winery). The house is a converted wine-making building,...

Monday, 14 Feb (Happy Valentine's Day to everyone), we are to do a 150 km drive to Hawkes Bay, where more wine tasting will be in store. Stopped en route to Hawkes Bay at Waiotapu, one of New Zealand's largest areas of geothermal activity with over 50 hot springs, mud pools and geysers, which boasts the largest geothermal lake in the world. I guess it is to be expected, as NZ lies directly on the 'Ring of Fire', which is an enormous ring of volcanoes around the P...

Sunday morning, 13 Feb., started with a delicious cooked breakfast, trading experiences and recommendations with the other guests, then we were off for a truly exciting adventure. We were booked for a helicopter ride that would take us out over the Pacific Ocean, land on an active volcano, and then we would make a one hour tour on foot, with our pilot as a guide, of the volcano itself. The volcano, named White Island by Captain Cook (alternatively called Whakaari...

Reached Rotoroa on Friday afternoon, 12 Feb., after a lunchtime stop at a small town called Cambridge (the other one) where, as luck would have it, there were several antique shops. Purchases were made (small and lightweight). Then, on to Lodge 199 to be welcomed by Kay, her shih-tzu Freddie, and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, in the late afternoon. We could happily live at the Lodge forever. It is a lovely, newish house right on the waterfront of Lake Tanawera, at ...