We had a lovely time in Kaikoura - visited their Winery and had a tour around the cellars and did some tastings (not like us), it was right on the top of a hill overlooking the bay - very picturesque. Drove to Christchurch 3 days ago and handed the van back and checked into the hostel. It hasn't stopped raining for the whole time we have been in Christchurch. We have been holed up in the hostel eating pizza and drinking beer for most of the time, which is...

We drove to Hanmer Prings a couple of days ago, via Lake Tekapo which was a lovely blue lake with the Church of the Good Shepherd on its edge. Spent yesterday relaxing in the hot springs which was great - just what we needed after rainy mount cook. Had pie and chips as a treat for tea. Drove onto Kaikoura today for a couple of days. Saw some more seals on the side of the road relaxing in the sunshine.

We drove to mount Cook yesteday - stayed at the worst campsite ever, and it chucked it down with rain all day. We headed up to the mountain today in a hope to get a view of it, but it was still raining. So no views of mount cook for us...boooo...

We left Blenheim to drive across to the west coast (Westport)and visited a seal colony at Cape Foulwind, which was a good name for it as it absolutely stank. The seals were cute thought they had their pups with them. We then drove to Punakaiki and walked around the Pancake Rocks which as huge rocks made of loads of layers (hence the name pancake), water shoots up through the blow holes at high tide. Stayed at Hokitika on the evening and went for a walk alo...

Got the ferry across from Wellington yesterday - which took forever and the sea was really rough. We have been doing some wine tasting as we are in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand. Went to the Cloudy Bay Winery, Mud House Flats Winery and Celier Le Brun Winery. We are becoming pros at wine tasting now. Met a woman from Macclesfield working in one of the tasting rooms - its a small world. Bought a bottle of wine from Cloudy Bay and Bottle of...