Today I have a day off, and armed with a bike, helmet and a map, courtesy of John, Caroline’s husband, I set off on my cycle to the nearest town – Manapouri. The bike is in need of some tlc – gears don’t change all the time, and it definitely needs some wd-40, but I eventually reach Manapouri. The views on the way are of grassland and cows….. I could easily be in Wales, especially as it is overcast and fairly chilly (well I am wearing a long sleeve thin jacket). So as I cycle past a campsite, the odd café dotted here and there, and a cluster of house I guess I have arrived. I follow some signs to the tourist information, but this turns out to be only an information centre for the cruises ... read more

Although I am in an 8 bed dorm, since 4am I have heard distinctly more than 8 different alarm clocks going off. There have been beeps, music, talking time ones, I am pretty sure I heard an animal one at one stage! Grey skies meet me this morning, so I reluctantly wear trousers, and as I walk out of the hostel I realise I am dressed head to toe in Fat Face clothing…..including my scarf. The 5 years of working there certainly shaped my wardrobe and come in handy! I wonder round then lake again, and the town (there is a bit more to it than I thought last night but not much), before treating myself to a nice breakfast. I head back via the supermarket to stock up on food for the next two weeks ... read more

So it appears there are rather a lot of Irish folk here in Auckland…which the majority Jordan and Clare seem to be friends with. Sunday we head to watch the semi final of the Irish football league which a lot of their friends are playing in. Was great fun to watch the game and chat to people, it felt very normal life like, and the real side of Auckland. After watching the match, Clare and I leave Jordan with the boys and head back to the centre. Clare has leant me her bike so I cycle along Quay street, over the bridge and along by the water. The water is stunning, crystal blue. I stop several times exploring mission bay and the pier before reaching my destination of St Helier. St Heiler is a tiny little ... read more

My last full day in Australia for a while! My last full day, well it starts with a phone call from some rather tipsy parents who are skiing in the mountain….thank you for my 3am wake up call. Though it was lovely to hear your voices, it’s a shame you couldn’t hear mine because the bar you were in was too noisy due to the banging tunes! I then get awoken again by my alarm at 4.45am for swim training, but decide I am just too tired, so head back to bed until 7am and then get up for my lovely skype catch up with Jade. We spent several hours chatting over New Zealand plans – it is so helpful her having been there, and then generally catch up with everything. I then head to the ... read more

Wednesday was another quiet day after all of Tuesday excitement. I headed into town to get some cheap longer sleeved tops for new Zealand as people keep warning me how cold it will be trip successful except for the large and very painful blister/cut that my shoes made on my heal the afternoon was dedicated to more planning, visiting a few op shops (massive warehouse charity shops) with Rowena and then made dinner for us all. Today my work experience placement in Te Anau (in the fjordlands – the South East of the South Islands) was confirmed. I am very excited for this – working on a project called ‘Kids restore the Kelper’ which runs on the kelper track and aims to get children connected with nature and conservation from an early age. It is usually ... read more