Sunday 20 Feb—the Tranz Alpine railway runs from Christchurch to Greymouth, across the middle of New Zealand from the East coast to the West coast, over the Alpine range. The crossing takes 4 ½ hours, over Arthur's Pass, and also over 3 viaducts and through 19 tunnels, most of the time hugging the edge of the mountains. One carriage for viewing is open air with just a railing for safety—talk about windblown. Views were stunning, as we trundled over massive r...

Once Robin has peeled off his wetsuit and we're back on solid ground, we continue our long drive, the goal being just beyond Christchurch to Taitapu. It's been a long day - over 270 kms and a swim. Our lodge for the next two nights is Otahuna, NZ's largest private house, built by a Victorian era Anglo-New Zealander. After various incarnations, the property has thankfully come into the ownership of two former New Yorkers, Miles and Hall. (It turns out that Miles g...

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...