Have had some great easy days in Melbourne, which has been fabulous to re-charge the batteries. Monday last week was a long day as we had to pick up Simon at the airport. It was a day of waiting around and driving! Simon's luggage had also gotten lost at Los Angeles airport where he had to change planes, so at least we didn't have to do a luggage jigsaw in the boot and the backseat! I think it would all have fitted, but I wasn't looking forward to re-arrangin...

Spent a lot of money on postage again this morning! Groan. Oh well, I have faith in the New Zealand postal system in any case seeing as my other two parcels have already reached home. My sister says she'll open them up as I sent pressies for her and my Dad in one of them, so hopefully they're still intact! Sun is still shining in Christchurch too, though the wind makes it a little cooler here. Taxi'd myself to Dorset House as well, and it looks really, reall...

No dolphin swimming today, boooooooooooooooo. The weather cheered up in Christchurch, but it was still too blowy out in Akaroa where the dolphin swimming boat goes from. Didn't have a happy face at all for a little while. However, I realised there was no point mooching about it and so had a look at other things to do. Got excited about hot air ballloon trips over Canterbury and Christchurch, so I might book one of those for my last day here. The balloon flig...

Spent my morning in Wanaka trying to book things in Christchurch and Kaikoura. I have booked a whale tour at 7:15am on Tuesday, but still can't get through to the Maori tour people! So have tentatively booked my seal tour for that afternoon as I don't want to miss my place and then not have anything to do in Kaikoura! Had one last look at the lake before I left too (and got a refund for the internet time that I lost. Apparently it happens on their terminals q...

Fabulous Newmans coach guide this morning - a couple of little stops along the way to be able to take some photos. Got a few piccies of Mount Tasman and Mount Cook, and also saw some fur seals (from very far away) at Knight's Point. He also gave a running commentary along the whole route, telling us what things were and the history of places and so on. He was really good so I have been really lucky with bus drivers so far. Shame I just can't take less buses! ...