Canucks 2 DownUnder

Well folks - that's what I get for bragging about the lovely weather in my last email - it's definitely turned a touch damper!! But before I get to today - I have to tell you about yesterday which was our tour of Abel Tasman park - first the boat up the coast into all the beautiful little bays with the history, then a drop off at Bark Bay for the 2 1/2 hr. walk back to Torrents Bay for the pickup by the boat. It was quite spectacular - lovely sunny day with just enough breeze to make the climbing bits a little cooler - and scenery from the postcards! Round a corner and you come across beautiful azure blue skies, turquoise waters and deserted sandy beaches down below - then the next corner presents ... read more

Hi guys! Was in the process of sending you a message yesterday from Picton but I was working on a system where you have to feed $2 coins into the computer every 20 minutes - problem was that the system didn't tell you how long you'd been and it died in the middle of the message. Must admit I much prefer the setups that let you start in and then pay when you're done! All to say that yesterday was a brilliant day - as they say over here - sun was out and we were doing the winery rounds (I of course was dragged along as you all know how unwilling I am to taste of the grape!) We restrained ourselves as there are approximately 50 wineries in the Marlborough area and we did 1/10th ... read more

Well folks - here we are in Wellington, having flown in from Whakatane (with an 'f') via Auckland this am. Whakatane was an incredible experience - from the flight on the small NZ Air twin engine 19-passenger plane - we lucked into sitting directly behind the pilot and co-pilot - to the marvellous trip out to While Island - NZ's only active volcano. It was extraordinary and made us think that it would be something like the moonscape. The guides did a 2 hr. tour - which included mandatory hard hats and optional gas masks - that's a cute photo let me tell you! But when you actually get up to the mouth of the crater lake the fumes and steam is quite intense so most donned the masks. This may be old hat to many ... read more

It's absolutely amazing up here folks - we'd forgotten how beautiful it was. Weather has been very cooperative - a rainy day to drive up here but great yesterday - around 20C and lovely sun. Went to Cape Reinga - the most northern tip of the north island where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean met - rather neat to see the wave patterns. Tried my hand and sand surfing on a boogie board and took tons of pictures. Off to Whakatangi (pronounced with an f if you please) !! Have to go as my time is out. Love us.... read more

Hi folks! Just wanted to bring you folks up to date to let you know that we're in sunny Sydney - the weather was actually 32 C yesterday!! Dad and I were down in The Rocks on Friday - strolling around, taking in the sites and visiting the Sydney AQuarium as well as the newly-opened Wildlife Centre. We'd gone in by train from our friend's house in the burbs and it was so convenient abd easy. We'd been to the aquarium before when we lived here but it's so increadible - you actually stand under a shark tank and watch the sharks and huge stingrays glide overhead! I took lots of pictures but don't believe that they'll do justice to the real thing. Cameron will be pleased because I've taken all kinds of pictures of creepy ... read more

Hi folks! Thought we'd take a quick minute as we have some time to kill at the airport and send you off a quick note. I hope I'm not becoming an internet junkie!! but must admit that it's nice to be able to keep in touch (sort of) via the travelblog. It's been a fabulous day in Hobart - spent a great 90 min. sailing Hobart harbour in the Lady Nelson which is Tasmania's tall ship and a training ship for sailors. If I lived here I'd certainly be involved with her - she's a beauty and Dad and I had a wonderful time. I offered to help 'crew' - they pair you up with someone experienced and 'show you the ropes'. 'John' told me that every experienced sailor heads for the ropes that being loosened ... read more

Sorry folks - no photos as yet because conservatively I've taken over 75 and haven't sorted yet and more importantly all the cafes don't necessarily have the ability to download photos. We're actually in Richmond tonight - a little village about 20 min. outside of Hobart - it dates back to the 1800s and was built primarily by convicts it seems. We're in a great little self-contained cottage and actaully intend to cook ourselves a meal while we 'slug' back a little of the 'old grape' because we can't carry as many bottles on the aircraft as we'd like!! Some burden, huh? We just spent a day and night up in Freycinet National Park on the east coast of Tassie and did the 1.5 hr. walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout. They estimate less time but ... read more

Hi folks! Any of you who know me well - know that my abilities around these systems are very limited! (Brian - you need not add anything to this - but you most of all will realize my limitations.) All to say we've finally figured out how to do this - not the photos yet I'm afraid but Maurice can only spend so much time sitting patiently beside me while I fumble away! We were delayed 3 days in Vancouver because of the earthquake in Honolulu on Saturday evening - the 14th Oct. - so finally arrived in Oz on October 20th. Meant we had to rearrange our plans a little but in the end worked out ok. Stayed in Sydney with our friends until the Monday when Diana flew out with us to Perth and ... read more