We were told that the most lively bar in town was the Irish pub. We arrived at 9.30 to live music described on the poster as jazzy funky country. The bar was small, cosy, full of Irish accents, rugby shirts and good beer. The landlady was disgusted that the crew from 18 yachts had gone to a sports bar to watch rugby. I think there is a lack of understanding of sporty boys. The hardened drinkers in the pub don't look very fit. Picton is the retirement home fo...

we are backpackers!Well at least we carried our bags from the ferry terminal and went out into the car park. It was raining but we had planned to walk and arrive at our booked back packers lodge by foot in what we thought was the correct back packers manner.However we spotted a van and a sign saying Sequoia Lodge so I told the group of young people that we were staying there and we were invited to get in the van. So there we were sitting in a strangers van and I ...

Food , It's not all good Take pizza bases for example. The ability to produce sweet, ineadible pizza bases is almost an artform. Everyone has their own twist in the theme.

This is being written as it happens. We are on the inter islander, about to start the crossing of the cook straight. It's north island at 2pm. South at 5pm. With a room in a backpackers lodge booked fo 2 nights in picton. We are going wild. Q What next? A who knows Could be able tasman walk/ kayak Train to Christchurch. Campervans to anywhere Decisions, decisions, what to do?

2nd day on the piste we know what to do and are smoothly proficient until we get on the ski lift. It goes without me and then unceremoniously chucks us off at the top. steve says the bloke who picked us up and pushed us 'out of the danger zone' was bored as no one had fallen off yet. We made his day. Lorissa was really pleased to see us as she had been trying to teach a 4 year old very upset child and we promised we would not cry too. Steve started off well an...