Farewell to New Zealand

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We fly out to Australia on 7 March. It will need to be good because New Zealand is a very tough act to follow. The South Island has far fewer people but most of the jaw-dropping scenery, from Abel Tasman National Park where we hiked and did some kyaking, then through Punakaiki where we lived in the most laid back hostel in the middle of a 'rainforest', on to Franz Josef to walk on the glacier and then to Queenstown for some white water rafting and canyoning fun. The weather has been fantastic and seems to be getting hotter, if anything.
Yesterday we went to watch the dolphins and Jim went swimming among them, literally hundreds of dusky dolphins. They are very inquisitive and playful. Party tricks include back flips and the triple falco.
We made a final visit to Christchurch, which is more like Cambridge than Cambridge, elegant parks, rose gardens, school children in striped blazers, old fashioned trams and punting on the river. Loved every minute. If you haven't been yet, do what you can and get out here.

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Photos

Chris and Jim in Abel Tasman National Park
On one of our hikes through the smallest, but most beautiful of New Zealand's national parks.

Beach side in Abel Tasman
Christine soaking up the scenery and the sunshine.

Two old farts in a boat
Jim and KP, the oldest guide in the Abel Tasman park.

Kitchen at hostel Te Nikau
Inside our kitchen in the rainforest in Punakaiki. Amazing place.

Franz Josef Glacier
Inside an ice cave on the glacier hike.

Southern Alps
Travelling through the Haast Pass towards Queenstown.

Canyoning near Queenstown
On my birthday, a terrific morning canyoning through a gorge above Lake Wakatipu. The bunch are some American students. Many thanks to colleagues at Trinity who paid for this as part of my leaving present.

Milford Sound
Quite beautiful and surprisingly serene.

Christchurch
So English, although they do let the Welsh visit occasionally.

Swimming with the dolphins
Out on the boat, Kaikoura. Hundreds of dusky dolphins doing their party tricks and Jim trying to swim with them.

Captain Cousteau
Are you ready yet Jim? The dolphins are waiting.

Dolphin watch
Kaikoura, South Bay. Beautiful morning and perfect conditions.

A walk to South Bay, Kaikoura
The coastline is rich in wildlife. Christine is off to see the seal colony, the blue penguins and hopefully an albatross.

Comments

[Rhian]

About time you updated this thing!
Well...there's a bright blue sky over John Dalton Street this morning but nothing compared to Kaikoura, you lucky things. Glad you're both having a fantastic time still and even more delighted to see the Republik of Mancunia t-shirt making an outing. Enjoy Oz x

[Joy Derbyshire]

Hello to you both
Looks fabulous, just like here!!! Lovely to hear from you and enjoying your blogs.

[Ian Saunders]

Wow
great photos - Jim have you seen any orchids?

[CLARE FFRENCH]

ENGLISH TRINITY
love looking at the pictures. What fantastic places. Makes life here seem somewhat dreary as i look at across the Hulme sky line and contemplate the delight of year 11 set 5 wrestling with the beauty of our English poetry. Ah well, there is always the lottery tomorrow and your pictures show a great world out there. God bless and keep enjoying it. Clare

[Mike and Kelly]

Brilliant pics
The pictures of New Zealand are great, especially the landscapes. I don't know how my mother manages to go so brown in the sun, My dad lloks like a scally about to brake into someones ice cave. The pictures are great, keep em coming it's alot more interesting than looking out the window at sunny Stockport.

[Paul and Liza]

NZ adventures
Glad to see Christine finally put you on ice. Walking on glaciers, swimming with dolphins; it all looks stunning. On Flowery Field our only consolation is springs early arrival. Safe Travelling.

[Jane and Dave Oldham]

Seem to be fulfilling all your dreams in a few weeks. Sure the rest will be as good. Enjoy the rest. Wish we were there.

[Jane and Dave Oldham]

Trinity High?
Our Kate is applying for a job at Trinity in the English Dept. Any advice/comments?

[Rosie Barratt]

Lucky Devils
Hi Jim and Chris, Its time you were home, weather beautiful -2 with strong winds, mirlees field waterlogged. Hope you are both having a great time in OZ. Pictures great. We are off to Cape Verde next week. Cheers Rosie and Phil.

[Mike]

photos
Not bad shots at all and good prose. Of course I could send you some lovely ones of classrooms in wigan and oldham just to make you feel homesick.Keep having a great time. Mike Venet