We've packed on a lot of clicks and just arrived on the South Island. The sketchy weather, apparently a cyclone, chased us here so we've got sore bums from all of the driving. We went on a 20km hike yesterday that would normally have given us spectacular views of Mount Taranaki (a still active volcano) and the Tasman sea, but instead we just got quite wet, tired and achy. Nonetheless, it was great to get out and be in the wilderness. It is, however, somewhat different to be hiking in the middle of nowhere and to not be concerned about bears or cougars. We stayed on a farm and had a nice chat with Lynne and Jill who ran the place. The people thus far have been embarrassingly friendly. Makes for very nice travelling.