Akaroa to Hamilton

27th July 2006

From Akaroa I had a leisurely drive to Christchurch where I spent a couple of days. Easy city to walk around and chill out. Then it was off to Timaru where I spent a couple of days overlooking Caroline Bay. Beautiful views from my motel view of the mountains and the sea but the bay was grey shingle and grey sand and did not look great. Then the tourist town of Kaikoura with the Kaikoura mountains in the background. I went on a whale watching tour and gave up counting after 6. 2-3 sperm whales are the norm apparently at this time of the year. I have photos of course of tails and backs of whales but these will have to wait until I can find an internet cafe to resize them.

The drive up the east coast is as scenic as the west. I was also pleased to see some early lambs in the fields, having missed the spring in UK. There was also a lone hare gambolling in one of the fields as I passed by. Very easy driving here as usually I was the only one on the road.

After Kaikoura, I made my way to Picton and stayed overnight to wait for the ferry. Nothing in Picton but I enjoyed my visit to the aquariam. I learnt alot about the New Zealand seahorses, cute creatures. The ferry crossing was quite bad but luckily Boots sea sickness tablets work. Such a difference from my crossing over in June. There were a lot of people making use of the bags provided. Picked up my rental car and found my way to Howard and Robin's flat and availed myself of their hospitality once again. On Sunday I visted with my second cousin Jonathan, Mila and their daughter Oriana. We had a lovely walk along Lyall Bay in glorious sunshine.

I drove to Greytown in the late afternoon and paid a visit to the chocolate shop which I was recommended by someone in Napier. He obviously had not been to the shop in Napier as that was much better. However, I still managed to purchase something to eat! I have made my way around the west coast of the north island in the last few days. The glorious sunshine and warmth has continued. New Plymouth where I stayed for a couple of days was 17 degrees. How about that in the middle of winter. Having said that, June in New Zealand was the coldest on record to compare with the hottest summer in England. New Plymouth has a great foreshore walk which is about 6km and good for all users. You have a view of the sea on one side and Mt Taranaki, when it came out of the clouds, on the other. My camera was clicking most of the way.

I am now in Hamilton ready for the final 100 or so km to Auckland tomorrow and my flight to Santiago. I will be off early on Saturday for my ski trip. More anon.

Photos from Nelson to Queenstown

Just a few photos down the West Coast to my stay in Queenstown. From the bottom - Photos from the West Coast and Pancake rocks. The glacier is the Franz Josef. A photo of Lake Matheson which is outside Greymouth. Paradise ducks - the female is the one with the white head. A photo of the Puzzletown in Wanaka and a heron on the banks of Lake Wanaka. A photo of a walk taken in Arrowtown. This was once a lovely village and I was recommended to visit. However, it is now very tourist ville and the walk was the best part about it - no crowds. Photos then of views on the way to Milford Sound and a quote. There is a view from my window of the hotel I stayed in Queenstown of Lake Wakatipu (with the boats). Then photos of the Dart River tour with a photo of frost. Last but not least, photos from the Mardi Gras at the Winterfestival in Queenstown.

From Queenstown to Akaroa

12th July 2006





I booked another 3 days of skiing and went to Cardrona. An excellent mountain with lots of snow and the runs were longer. I think my skiing improved slightly!


I have had lots of sessions with an excellent craniosacral therapist - Dianalyn. Dianalyn also runs a B & B - Chalet Queenstown, so if you are in town, I recommend staying here. www.chalet.co.nz

I left Queenstown on 3rd July (Mum's birthday) and drove down to Invercargill. I only stopped overnight in a very comfortable hotel then drove the scenic coast drive to Dunedin. Lots of Scots heritage here and one of tbe best tours I have taken in New Zealand was the Elm wildlife tours. www.elmwildlifetours.co.nz The guides were very informative and we saw two Royal Albatrosses. As there are only 10 chicks hatched, this means 20 adults fly in every 3 to 5 days to feed, spending only 20 minutes. As we were at the only mainland breeding colony for half and hour, it was a rare sight to see. There were actually 3 birds but I missed one due to a much needed loo stop!






I took the Cadbury's tour the next day. Good for chocoholics but did not get to see much of the factory - most was viewed by video. The Easter egg manufacture had started. This goes on from June to January then closes down for six months. The best bit of the tour was the ton of liquid chocolate poured from the ceiling of the purple silo. Nothing to do with chocolate making but good for the tourists!


A spectacular train trip is the one over the Taieri gorge. There was a railway station called Hindon which reminded me of that excellent pub The Lamb at Hindon just off the 303 on the way to Taunton.



Now in Akaroa on the Banks Penisula near Christchurch. New Zealand's best kept secret in the off season. A delightful village on a picturesque harbour. I took the scenic mail run yesterday. A great way to see all the bays without having to drive some of the steep roads yourself.

I have tried to put the photos with the text but the site is not cooperating. I am sure you can work out which photos goes with the text. Off towards Christchurch on Friday. I will miss the Bastille celebrations in Akaroa. It was settled by the French and still celebrates its French heritage.

Queenstown to Dunedin

7th July 2006

I booked another 3 days of skiing and went to Cardrona. An excellent mountain with lots of snow and the runs were longer. I think my skiing improved slightly!


I have had lots of sessions with an excellent craniosacral therapist - Dianalyn. Dianalyn also runs a B & B - Chalet Queenstown, so if you are in town, I recommend staying here.


I left Queenstown on 3rd July (Mum's birthday) and drove down to Invercargill. I only stopped overnight in a very comfortable hotel then drove the scenic coast drive to Dunedin. Lots of Scots heritage here and one of tbe best tours I have taken in New Zealand was the Elm wildlife tours. www.elmwildlifetours.co.nz The guides were very informative and we saw two Royal Albatrosses. As there are only 10 chicks hatched, this means 20 adults fly in every 3 to 5 days to feed, spending only 20 minutes. As we were at the only mainland breeding colony for half and hour, it was a rare sight to see. There were actually 3 birds but I missed one due to a much needed loo stop!




I took the Cadbury's tour the next day. Good for chocoholics but did not get to see much of the factory - most was viewed by video. The Easter egg manufacture had started. This goes on from June to January then closes down for six months. The best bit of the tour was the ton of liquid chocolate poured from the ceiling of the purple silo. Nothing to do with chocolate making but good for the tourists!

A spectacular train trip is the one over the Taieri gorge. There was a railway station called Hindon which reminded me of that excellent pub The Lamb at Hindon just off the 303 on the way to Taunton.

Today, I have spent time in a very helpful internet cafe downloading my photos. Now Blogger does not seem to want to put them on the site so you will have to make do with the writing. Off towards Christchuch tomorrow but will stop short of the town as rugby is on and the accommodation may be tricky.