"We don't mind the rain here, really", reflects Brian, "it's our saviour and makes the grass grow." Our idea of New Zealand as a place that folk emigrated to for a new life with decent weather has just been demolished. 'Te Rangai' is off the beaten track and not a place found in any guide book, but we're looking forward to experiencing what life is like for New Zealand farmers. Ten years ago Brian and Kirsty, Lesley's second cousin, left a farming life in th...

After three days in Wellington it is time to head north. Lesley has completed her New Zealand Orientation course which includes tips on driving.....'when traffic lights are at red you must stop'.....well I suppose if you were visiting from a country without traffic lights you might wonder what a red light means. A roundabout is ' a central island in the middle of an intersection'. The advice is not lost on Greg, a young American GP from New York not far on f...

Wellington is indeed living up to its name, the Windy City. One look at the weather chart then stepping outside the hotel confirms that we are indeed quite at home with what has been thrown at us from the sky. No problem looking like the locals here - everybody else is walking around in coats, hoods and some even in gloves as a south easterly lashes the city. Puddles form, folk take shelter and the shops do better business. The 'spring planting' park workfo...

We had not been in Sydney for 30 years. This time it is different. It is sunny, the roads are busier and there are so many new tall buildings, roads and tunnels. But the postcard landmarks are still there - the Opera House, The Rocks and the Bridge. Unashamedly Scottish, Roy puts on his 'Edinburgh' T shirt. We've chosen to take a trip into the bay on an old sailing ship, a 1929 grain ship. We motor out and sail back. It really is very idyllic, the sun i...

We've arrived in Sydney. Lesley's cousin Pam greets us from the balcony, she's waited up for us. (By the way, that's not Pam's car in the photo). It's sunny for a spring day. But there is something wrong here, after choosing an ideal spot to catch some warmth in the still cool air. The sun moves from east to west via north......fooling us momentarily. I have been told that I have to earn my keep on this trip by washing, ironing, shopping and cooking (beat...