Hey everyone - belated merry Christmas to all!! Hope everyone had a great christmas day and you're all looking forward to 2009. Thank you for all the wishes, means alot to us all the way over here. Missing home alot more at this time, but it's so good to hear from you all. Thanks also for everyone who remembered my birthday - full Brownie points to all of you, very impressive!

Since the last message we've jumped countries, now being in New Zealand. We had a horrible day of flying - got to Melbourne airport early to ensure we got a seat on the correct flight, then had hours to wait as the plane was delayed. Finally arriving in Auckland, we had to run with all our luggage for the connection to Christchurch, only to be told it had also been delayed and we had plenty of time!Nice and sweaty on the plane...finally arrived in Chch at 10.30pm and amazing Leonie (my friend from US camp) was there to pick us up and take us somewhere warm. It was practically english weather when we arrived!

Stayed in Chch with leonie and her flatmates (very accommodating, thank you again!) for a week, visiting the beach town of Sumner on my brithday, picnicing in the park, playing xmas games with groups of friends and being taken to parties and gatherings. Chch is great, a real english feel about it but definate NZ hospitality. Also got to sing carols in church which made me happy!

Today we picked up our hire car (we had a day to relocate it across the country) - a red ford focus, a little different to the campervan - AIR CON!! Drove across the country to Greymouth, through Arthur's Pass National Park, with gorgeous scenery everywhere. Loving NZ so far...We now stay here for a few days over new year, then probably hire another car to take us down the west coast to Queenstown.

Happy New year to everyone, though we'll see it in before you guys! have a drink for us wherever you are, we're missing you all and thinking of you. Lots of love Jo and Roy XxX