HT
Helen Thomas Joined: August 11th 2005
Logged in: April 11th 2006
Logged in: April 11th 2006
Travel Blog Posts
Hello again. Final pictures to follow in a few days, then no more travel blog for me - until the next time perhaps? I'm back in the UK. I'm not in my own home yet, enjoying a few days at Andrew, Nic and Lauren's house peacefully (ish) by the river at Radley just south of Oxford. I feel quite strange at the moment (what's new?!) so just taking it steady and not putting too much pressure on myself to achieve too much too quickly. Anyway, the last 10 days or so of travelling were full of highs and lows. I spent my last 'proper' days in New Zealand back on the Great Barrier Island with Wayne. I felt very fortunate to be back there. It is a great place and he made me very welcome - ... read more
Me again... Financially not good, but as long as I remember to think in pounds not dollars it's not so much of a disaster in the scheme of things. It's little consolation to be told that the car could sell for $4500 in September but now $1800 is a good offer! Anyway, to get some certainty and to preserve my sanity (what is left of it) I am accepting the offer and will get the cash tomorrow (and try not to get mugged on my way to a bank or Foreign exchange place). It's worked out that I would have been better off renting a car, by about 500 pounds or so, but not to worry.... too much, what's done is done and all that. And I've put a car on the road in better condition ... read more
Doubtful Sound
The bug in the site has been fixed apparently so here goes...the first few are from the waterproof camera - so cover the sea kayaking trips on Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound and Okarito Lagoon. By the way, the car is now fixed, cleaned up and on sale. Nearly $400 that has cost me this morning and haven't sold the car yet! Apparently it is not a good time (end of summer) but now I just want to get something reasonable (?) for it, and then put the whole thing down to experience / lesson etc. It has certainly reminded me how affected I can get if I think I have made a mistake (!) or think that "it's not fair" (!!). Anyway, I won't be buying/selling cars again for a long time. I am really looking ... read more
Yes, I made it back up North. It seems a long time since last week in Kaikoura. Dolphin swimming was well worth the effort & the horrors of seasickness (although I wasn't actually sick I felt awful and was pretty close to tears for much of the journey - I felt pathetic!). My singing to them went down pretty well I think, they certainly came very close - amazing creatures. My swimming is better than it was a year ago, but I still struggled to swim round and round in circles with them eye to eye! There were 200-300 around us - leaping, tail slapping, somersaulting etc. Enjoyed the whale watching too, from a plane this time, we managed to track 4 sperm whales down. I have stayed with feet firmly on dry land since then, ... read more
Thank goodness for that. And only $90 or so too. I was on the road again just after 9 this morning so have made it to Kaikoura. Weather looking dubious for swimming tomorrow though! Perhaps I will look for a flight to see whales instead or as well. Happy St David's Day to one and all!... read more
The car is not firing on all cylinders. Oh. It does still go, but not very well. So, I've stopped before the next big hills (need to get across Lewis Pass to Kaikoura tomorrow) to get someone to look at it. I turned up here in Greymouth in a slightly stressed state - and found a friendly local who pointed me in the direction of a friendly mechanic who could fit me in tomorrow morning at 08.15. Amazing what can happen when you ask for help! Fingers crossed it can be sorted quickly and cheaply - as I have an appointment at 05.30 on Thursday morning in Kaikoura with some dolphins. I guess if it doesn't work out I will have yet another reason to come back here. I will endevaour to be philosophical about it ... read more
Near Paradise
Fortunately the latest rips in trousers have not included injuring the body beneath them. My poor Rohans have another rip in the backside from chicken wire on the board walks on Stewart Island (sitting down to try and heave my rucksack back on!). What on earth caused my 'smart' black trousers to rip very embarrasingly I don't know. I thought I was getting smaller not putting on weight....They have been consigned to the textile recycling bin in Dunedin. I hope I didn't walk around too long with them like that. I was giving a lift to a 19 year old Swiss guy that day. He didn't say anything so either he didn't notice or was too embarrassed himself! Anyway, back to putting photos on and catching up. I've walked up the Rob Roy valley today for ... read more
Hello again, The highlight of the last week or so has to be kayaking amongst a pod of 30 or so dolphins on Doubtful Sound yesterday. I was grinning from ear to ear! I hope to be swimming with some in Kaikoura in a few weeks too, this was an added bonus. No idea if I got any shots with my disposable waterproof camera, tried to watch them more than take pictures. The Kepler Track (3 days walking) rejuvenated me mentally and emotionally for sure - also had a good start with phone calls to Fiona on Sunday and Helen on Monday - definitely perked me up - thanks! The middle day up on the ridge was very windy - got blown over once, fortunately was in a path with banks either side so just sat ... read more
View from church window in Tekapo
Hello again. feeling quite a bit better today, thank goodness. A good massage to help my head and neck was a start, and then I indulged in a bit of retail therapy! A foldable plastic bowl, a Backcountry dehydrated meal to try on the Kepler track next week and a merino cardigan/jumper. Oops, the last one was a bit extravagant but I like it and was sick of wearing my fleece whenever I needed warmth. And I may just pop back for a camping pillow! Anyway, here's the next instalment of photos... off for lunch and then to Glenorchy, looking out for Lord of the Rings film sites along the way. ... read more
birthday hot chocolate and a scone
some photos from the last couple of weeks. I've booked a massage for tomorrow to help recovery and make me feel better (I hope). going to take it easy for a couple of days! run out of steam to do the ones from this past week today. off to the organic restaurant then back to my tent for a peaceful night, other campers permitting. I'll finish off tomorrow. bye for now Hxx... read more
