After leaving the Stafford Gables early this morning, we traveled for hours and hours (the concept of time in conjunction with reality is now one wasted on me!) – I don’t even know how many- until we reached Arthurs Pass. No we didn’y, I’m telling fibs again! We stopped off at Starbucks in Dunedin before we left, and had a few Coffees, whilst we used the internet there, although Mum did partake in her preferred pastime of complaining to...

This morning I woke up rather tired, as the sound of the rain smashing on the roof had interrupted my sleeping quite considerably throughout the night. But, I somehow managed to get myself out of bed and ready, despite this as we were going on a trip to Milford Sound, which was supposed to be “The 8th Wonder of the World” according to Rudyard Kipling, or somebody like that. As always, the drive was amazing, going up and through the Snow-capped Mountai...

We are now at a place called the “Lakeside Inn, Manapouri” which is literally overlooking Lake Manapouri (it’s a beautiful view) where there are snow capped Mountains all around. But there again, I say that all the time about wherever I happen to be, so I can probably safely say that wherever I am in New Zealand, it should always be assumed that there is a gorgeous view!! Actually, most of the time it’s like driving through a postcard wher...

Today started quite averagely,apart from it was blazing hot and gorgeous, waking up at 8am, and getting ready...apart from Mum was booked into do a wacky adventure later on in the morning that she was a bit apprehensive about!!The Wacky adventure in Question...? The "Shotover Canyon Swing" (which sounds scary enough, before you even hear all the rest...!!) Stats: 109 metres high(to put it into perspective, thats the height of 3 whole Boeing 737-300...

We left Franz Joseph somewhat disappointed this morning, as the helicopter flight that we had arranged to do over Mount Cook, and the Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers was cancelled, due to bad weather and poor visibility. Bummer. I was really looking forward to that! Especially because I have never been in a chopper before….and I still haven’t!! Oh, well. Theses things will happen I suppose…and coming from sunny old Blighty, I suppose I’m n...