Hi,folks. At Mount Cook now - amazing, But more about that later! First yesterday's blog. Travelled from Blenheim to Christchurch. Some incredible scenery but Christchurch was very sad and depressing: virtually the whole of the city centre is still inaccessible. Only took one photo out of sympathy for the Christchurchians (and not of a broken building)! Went to mass in St. Mary's in Blenheim - great "country" choir. Saw penguins and seals on the way dow. Great weather,if a bit windy. Accommodation in Christchurch was the worst yet - not terrible but very "motellish". As I said already,walking into the city centre was a nightmare: roads blocked off,buildings destroyed/damaged. In the end we found our way to North Hagley Park which contained the Botanic Gardens - still a great sight! Mt. Cook got us back on ... read more

Hi,me again. Didn't make it quite to Mt Victoria lookout - Tongariro must have taken its toll! Still extremely windy but ..........sunny. Should be an interesting crossing tomorrow. Looks form here as if the South Island is getting the brunt of the weather! Also visited the Te Papa national musueum - very impressive! Even had an earthquake simulator. As ever with these things,it was a case of information overload.............adding significantly to the list of things that I've learned and forgotten during this holiday! Next blog will be from the South Island..................if I'm sober enough after the anticpated wine tasting in Blenheim tomorrow afternoon!... read more

More Tongariro pics.........boring but this is last lot! Arrived in Wellington yesterday - another superb harbour. Will blog and add photos later - off to the Botanic Gardens via cable car (although it's very windy!). Weather changeable.... read more

More pics from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing! Best pics to follow. In Auckland now but that's another blog!... read more

Thought that I'd done this already............but it seems to be gorn! Easier day today before Tongariro tomorrow. Rae had a bright idea to go to another thermal park. So we drove to Orakei Korako (the Hidden Valley) and took a ferry over the Waitako river. It was a great visit - much better than the Craters of the Moon: silica terraces,mud pools,mini-geysers. My photos don't do it justice. Then off for lunch at the side of the lake in Taupo - more like a sea! Short drive which should have been scenic - but it rained most of the way. Arrived here at 4 and it's been throwing it down since. But the forecast's better for tomorrow,thank goodness.... read more