24. 04/12 - 15/12 - Only 14,502km from home!!!

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04/12/07

The routine was un-changed, early start, sandy fly rainstorm, de-camped in no time, headed off in the van with sand flies spewing out the windows.........job done. It showed that even the worst tasks can offer you some satisfation, and even the thought of doing it again didn't dampen the spirits. By half 7 we had arrived in a car park over-looking the lake, got a brew on, chowed down on some breakfast and chatted about jobs (Pathetic eh. We don't need to but with only 2 weeks to go the mind starts wandering. At least we've put work in perspective and i've definitely re-ignited my passion for working my crack off, whilst Amy is looking forward to a new bean-counting challenge.....). We made full use of the public toilets which had just been cleaned and freshened up, before wandering into town and exploring the double room option after a week under the canvas. Fortunately the prices, coupled with our new found frugality ('new found', I hear you cry!!), and our ever-growing contentment with the tent meant that 15 minutes down the line we had binned the idea and we were going to press on with camping, potentially til the bitter end!!

Queenstown itself was impressively imacculate, and the high visibility of cafes and breast augmentation showed that it was certainly prosperous. We wandered the shops for a while, and ended up sampling the cafe culture, which is very pleasant, especially in the midday sun , whilst I thought I had found myself an All Blacks rugby shirt, which i've been hankering after for some time. I tried the mens size tops on...too big. I tried a 16 year old boys size top on....too big. I tried a 14 year old boys size top on....too big!!! The line was crossed, the dream dead and confirmation was finally delivered on my election to Major of Scrawnsville! Other than shopping, we had 4 main tasks for the day. 1, sun bathe, which I missed out on due to some excessive task number 2, internetting. 3, top up the drinking water, which K & A politely and successfully comandeered from a local holiday park at no cost to the kitty (good work people. Gratis, the only way!!!), and 4, get Amy's hair washed, which she did in the shopping malls disabled loos!!! All in all, a successful day, which was topped off by me stumbling across 15 bucks on the pavement, which paid for tomorrow's fish and chips!!!! When I finally gimped back from town at about 6, Amy, K & A had the dinner on, bean splodge (beans, pasta, lentils, spinch), which meant yet again i'd done jack, although my 15 dollar find had masked my meagre input. My 'input' was confirmed when I went to do the washing up and Kathryn passed me the washing up liquid, 'what is that'.......coffin final nail in, please re-arrange.....After a cuppa and some cards we hit the hay at about 10, making us about as rock 'n' roll as Olivia Newton John...

05/12/07

Our earliest start yet at half 6, as a mid-kip toilet dash, and subsequent mossie attack, meant Amy and I were wide awake. K & A rescued us at 7, and by twenty past we were on the road, looking for pastures insect-less. We decided that we would make a dash for the East Coast today, around Dunedin, where we would get fully stuck into some surfing, sunning and sleeping, as the first week or so had taken its toll. We stopped off briefly for a wash in the public loos (definitely roughing it..), before re-fuelling and washing the van before our near 300k journey. The drive was a bit of an epic, with all of us knackered, although to varying degrees, with Amy and I slouched in the back, dozing, and K & A holding it together up front and actually getting us from A to B. The scenery was varied to say the least, from arid Central Otago to vineyards, followed by rolling farmland. With Andy in 1 piece in the hot seat, we pushed on to the coast, and made it there a little after 1.

Reaching Brighton, and the sea, was a real relief. Not only had the driving stopped, but food, caffeine and sunshine were in ample supply, so we donned cream and enjoyed the beach (well not all of us. Amy got the short straw, and the windy pitch, and so, resembling sand paper, called time on the beach and went for a walk before chilling by the van, on the grass!!). With the coastline quiet, clean, and surfable, it seemed like an ideal spot, and with the public bathrooms featuring a REAL shower, even if it was ice cold, we shampoo'd, conditioned and moisturised ourselves to our hearts content once we'd tired of yet another beautiful day at the beach......Fish and chips rewarded our day of sun-drenched toil, and whilst it wasn't THE best we had sampled, it certainly hit the spot, and being gratis, due to my eagle-eyed scavenging, it tasted that much better. Andy's reward for the morning drive came in the shape of an evening surf, with Kathryn, whilst Amy and I sat on our arses in the van and tucked into the cookies and peanut butter (K & A, i'm not sure we told you that...). We campled just off the coastal road and whilst our tent took a real battering from some huge overnight coastal winds, we were insect free......heaven.

06/12/07

Whilst a little disturbed, we kipped in until 9 today so despite being a bit sleepy, we were ok, and headed down the coast to yesterdays spot for some breakfast and tea. Today's aim was to explore the Otago Peninsula, and hopefully espy some wildlife, preferably not just bloody seals, before finding a quiet spot to camp. The trip out was via the city of Dunedin, which is described as Little Edinburgh (I think) in the guide books, and it didn't disappoint. The architecture was Edinburgh-esque (according to Andy), and the people very very pale, which is Scotland in a nut shell. Seriously though, the amount of un-tanned people was insane. It wasn't just pale though. it was that typical 'jock', so white its see through skin!!! The Otago Peninsula itself, aided by the weather, cloudy and blustery, was also Jockland-esque, rugged, windy and freezing!! Still the drive, view and wildlife on our first stop made it worth, as we saw an albatross and a couple of, you guessed it, seals, frolicking in the water. There wasn't much doing on the walk front so we headed, somewhat unwisely for Sandyfly Bay on the southern part of the peninsula, following a picturesque route.

Arrival at Sandfly Bay yielded 1 major bonus, no sand flies, and another major bonus, a 50 metre sand dune descent, which K & A and I ran down, although Amy ducked out due to the knee. Catching our breath at the bottom we headed towards the beach, where we were hoping to see sea lions and penguins, and more quickly than we expected we stumbled across the former. A female, almost sandy in colour, was basking in the sun just in front of a huge log, which Andy was planning to hurdle. Luckily I saw the sea lion before he could take a run and jump, which could have turned nasty as due to their size, humans are fair game!!!! On we pressed towards the penguin viewpoint, the sand dunes behind us and close call heightening my senses as something large, and aggressive, no, not Wayne Rooney, could come for us at anytime. With male sea lions approaching 400 kilos, ie a tonne, they aren't to be messed with, but all we could see in the distance, some 40 feet away, were 2 HUGE grey boulders. Luckily Andy was eagle eyed and gave Amy and I, who were forging ahead, heads down into the wind, a shout, warning of us sea lions. Jesus, these buggers are massive, I was stunned, these rocks were sea lions!! They were almost jurassic, and when we got a little too close....40 feet away.....one reared up and gave us an aggressive display of manliness, which brought memories of Guildhall Walk flooding back. We stopped, stared and marvelled for a while, and headed back early afternoon, as their growls struggled to drown those in our bellies.

Lunch was a bonza treat as Kathryn confirmed her status as 'Pancake Queen', rustling up some bad boys, which sent us off to pastures new with full bellies. Unfortunately a mix of crap surf and tiredness meant the day fizzled out, and we decided to camp in town rather than head back out to the coast. K & A planned a roadside stop in town but took Amy and I to a campsite, and came in while we showered, cooked and played ping pong. Unfortunately the campsite has had issues with people checking in fewer numbers than were staying, so when Andy and I ran our gear back out to the van (2-man tents have little storage, and even magnolia throws can't create the illusion of space), we were pursued by the camp owner, sorry campsite owner, Graham Norton hasn't moved into the holiday let market. Unfortunately num nuts, as we shall call him, was full of piss and wind, giving it to us with both barrels, but 3 and a half years in sales has served me well, as I bullshitted my way out of every corner, creating a conclusion which can only be described as him 'throwing his toys out of the pram'!!! He knew he had clocked us, but couldn't find the words to nail it.....tough shit.

07/12/07

Kathryn and Andy had headed off shortly after num nuts hadn't exited my personal space last night, so after watching Gordon Ramsay last night, we had had an early night and great night's sleep, which left us 100%, for the first time in a while. They were actually checking in today to make the most of the facilities, and hot shower, and about 9 o'clock they rocked up, and after breakfast and some ping pong, we cruised into town. The walk was fairly long, about 3ks in total, although we did get to sample the suburbs of Dunedin, and the pre-city centre shopping. At first Dunedin seemed busy, really busy, as 10 days in the sticks has lulled us into a peaceful and sparsely populated sense of security, which was aggressively disturbed by noise, smells and people....of Scottish descent!! We decided to duck out for an hour and jumped on-line, although our host was a hyperactive fella who only increased the tension, and the only cure was melted cheese sarnies, hot chips and my very first Easy Bake Oven, sorry Steak and Cheese pie. It combined the 3 major food groups, pastry, saturated fat and red meat, and so hit the spot, although half an hour later I did feel like i'd eaten a brick, and chewed on a shoe. I'll stick to fruit and veg when I get home......With Amy heading for a barnet trim and me due for some more albino time, Kathryn and Andy headed out for some shopping, although at first it deem seem that coffee and muffin was their major purchase (successful then?).

Amy ended up having an express trim, mainly to ward off further split end damage (should I be putting that in the blog?), and on the way back we got together some christmas gifts for K & A, including a rather nice Merlot, which we should have kept for ourselves......A chocolate father christmas and some chocolate coins were on the menu too, xmas just wouldn't be the same without them (please take note parents, and parents-in-law)!! We got back shortly after 5 and waited for K & A who had the tea bags in the van, and waited, and waited. Nearly 2 hours later they rocked up, having had a lovely afternoon, 'tell someone else, where is the bloody van key......?', and we grabbed a cuppa before starting dinner. We had planned a few beers in town but being total light weights, and the fact that it was a bit of a long walk, we made the most of K & A's other purchases, some vino. Sadly just over 2 bottles of wine left us rocking, and whilst half-cut, we realised that the tent had been our most consistent accomodation in 6 months, 11 nights and counting!! With alcohol talking we all confessed how much we were looking forward to seeing the family and friends, well, most of 'em!!! At half 10 we headed for bed, safe in the knowledge that the coming christmas period had a couple of Grade A lightweights to claim as victims......

08/12/07

We awoke at 8 having slept soundly, but dehydration meant that a hangover was borderline. A few glugs of H2O meant we were, good2go, and we decided that the bright lights of the city were too much, and we would head for the coast. Luckily the weather was on our side, gloriously, and K & A, who had been productively busy yesterday, rolled out the bacon and eggs!! Hydrated and with protein, carbs and fat settling the stomach, we headed off, although not until we had all had a very long, very hot shower!! Our destination was Taieri Mouth, just south of Dunedin, and we were off at 10 for our last day of camping (something Freddie Ljungberg couldn't say....). The drive was coastal, and quiet, especially considering it was a saturday, and we stopped on the way for K & A to have a surf. I stood, and then sat, over-looking the sea, with camera handy and Ipod blaring, watching them both surf, and was pretty impressed. About 1 we headed off for our final destination, Taieri Mouth, another quiet little seaside town, where we spent the afternoon in a seaside park, sand free, and enjoyed lunch and the sunshine. Our evening meal of bean splodge was disrupted by the local chavs tearing up and down the park on dirt bikes, but even this failed to dampen the mood, as we all ended up finding it a tad amusing.

After paying for a camp spot for the last couple of nights a freebie was on the cards, so with eyes peeled, we set off back to Brighton and Ocean View to secure a decent spot. We stopped at a few coastal spots on the way through, but the relative lateness meant most of the best gigs were occupied, so we pushed on, and eventually ended up in a beachside park, surrounded by trees and only over-looked by 1 house. It seemed adequate, and with 9 o'clock approaching, our bellies were calling for cake and custard, so it would do. We decided to camp up as late as possible i.e. in the dark, to avoid getting any hassle off the locals, but none was forthcoming as its kinda the done thing in these parts. With full bellies and the tent up we celebrated our final night's camping by hitting the hay at 10!!!

09/12/07

Bearing in mind our proximity to the centre of Ocean View, it would have been advisable to set the alarm and head off early, but we didn't wake til late so it was gone 9 before we headed off for a breakfast plot. We scooted back to Brighton, a previous prime position, and in no time we were tucking into museli and a cuppa. Being our last day, and with the sun putting in a star guest appearance, we lazed in the sun, chewing the fat, but most importantly, Andy and I got stuck into some Haki-Sak. We got upto 9 haks, which we are planning to beat in 2008, and i'll be going into training in january. I'm thinking that this, alongwith pool and pumping myself up at the gym, could turn me into an Olympian.........With a flight not far away Amy 'advised' me that I should join in with sorting through our bags, whilst Kathryn project managed Andy's clothes washing. Morning turned to afternoon and we headed back into Dunedin where Amy and I would be leaving K & A, and making our way to Christchurch, Auckland, Fiji, and ultimately home, via a bus ride and 4 flights........joy. To say the road trip has been a blast would be an understatement, as we've got stuck into camping, seen some jaw dropping scenery, got active and eaten well, whilst most importantly the 4 of us have got to spend some proper time together. Its funny, at home people live so close by that you often don't make the time, something we are determined to change when we get back.

We arrived in Dunedin at about 2, and got stuck into some albino time after we had checked-in to a hostel, before we finished off the afternoon with an OJ in the city centre in the sun. I have to admit I was pondering things a bit all afternoon, especially as I was a bit gutted this phase was over, and when we arranged to meet at our's for dinner, I was more than aware that it was the final road trip meal. Luckily chilli and guaccamole was on the menu, so we finished in culinary style, which I feel was an apt ending. All that was left was to say au revoir, which was a bit of a wrench, but in true 'heart of stone'-style I kept it under wraps and saved it for some 'me' time. 'Me' time came in the form of an internet cafe, which I headed to whilst Amy read, and all of a sudden I realised we wouldn't be seeing K & A for 6 months, which i'm sure you appreciate is a bloody long time. The good thing is we are looking forward to seeing them, which will make the 6 month wait worth it. Indeed, the last few days of our road trip have become a bit discursive, as our thoughts have turned to home, and K & A have been great to talk to, especially as they can see in us what they'll be thinking in another 6 months. Our emotions have been a mix of excitement and apprehension, as we are in some ways starting again as we've detached ourselves from our old routine. Hopefully most of our plans will fall into place and we can make the changes we want, otherwise we'll be setting off again this time next year................................only kidding!!!!

10/12/07

Despite an early night 7 o'clock still seemed a little harsh when the alarm sung, but some things never change as we set off from our guest house for the railway station bang on time at 07:30!!!! Once at the station our hopes for an empty bus were quashed by a big group of Japs, but at least the bus was on-time and we could get the next couple of days worth of intermittent travel over and done with. The bus journey to Christchurch was a bit boring, weather crap, no room to spead out and for once I couldn't be arsed with the scenery, although in truth, I was feeling a bit whingey due to our diminished numbers. Still, pissing and moaning gets you nowhere, you've just gotta play the hand your dealt, so I whacked Owen's Timberland Mix on, and grooved my way back into better spirits. Amy was tucking into a couple of trash mags (including bloody OK! Errr, not its not ok...), which sadly all 4 of us got sucked into on the road trip. I blame Kathryn, who passed the habit onto Amy, who passed the habit onto me, and only Andy (the teacher no less!!) held firm for any length of time before eventually succumbing. Its a cruel legacy of our trip, but at least subscriptions to Hello!, Ok! and Woman's Day are some christmas pressie ideas!!!!!! The journey was a long one, and we didn't arrive until nearly 2, although this did involve a drop-off at Christchurch Airport which looked mega hectic. Fast forward 24 hours and we'll be getting involved....

We got dropped in Cathedral Square, fitting for this Church of England creation, hence Christ-Church. We got some accomodation details from the tourist information centre and started walking to find a hostel, as I became increasingly aware that I had seriously drawn the short straw on the bag weight front. Luckily a weirdo christian preacher gave me a chuckle as we meandered through the square, letting us all know we are sinners, 'what, cos we don't like fairytales? Don't tell me Father Christmas is real too.....' A couple of 'no vacancies' later we had a bed for the night, and also some serious time to kill, which, in a city founded on religious principles and was hauntingly anglicised, was my worst nightmare. We managed to mince around the botanical gardens for an hour before deciding to hit the gym, via a fruit smoothie, which turned out to be fruit-less, and the gym was shut to non-members after 4, the time being 4:15!!!!!! We headed back to our hostel where Amy got ready for a run and I ate a peanut butter sandwich, which is an alarming sign that I need to get back to the gym ASAP. I didn't waste the next half hour though, stretching a shower out, whilst Amy came back with a spring in her step and calories burnt.....A few games of cards later we had an early dinner.....soup.....must punish myself......before we headed out for some albino time to kill the evening.

11/12/07

With the peanut butter sandwich weighing heavily on my conscience, we were up at half 7 and I was lifting weights in the gym by 8 today, feeling the burn. After such an absence, pain was my gym buddy, and yet strangely, I derived so much pleasure from the feeling. With endorphines rushing through my veins and floor to ceiling mirrors, I was in my element, and happy as a pig in s**t!!! After a punishing chest, back and bicep session I headed back to the hotel at 9, and got back to find Amy was packed and ready to go, and had generally sorted everything. With a couple of hours to kill before we needed to check-in to our flights, I watched some Premier League footie in the TV lounge, whilst Amy hammered our last few dollars in the shops. At half 11 we made for the airport, via a sushi bar, enjoying our last sight of the giant chess and religious preachers in Cathedral Square. A bomb threat at the court house hastened our departure, as the taxi driver got a wriggle on to avoid the traffic, whilst we smiled inanely at the news, a bomb scare, we felt so at home.....

Christchurch Airport was empty, quiet and being early, we hot-footed it upto the departure lounge and cracked on with some crads and sushi for lunch. The only entertainment during our wait, and 1 hour flight, was the staff changeover before take-off, which looked more like a parade of gay male models...'aren't they all?' We arrived in Auckland and checked into our airport hotel, which was, an airport hotel, ie soul-less, so after a quick burst in the fitness room and sneaking into the business centre and chavving some free internet time (we are NOT paying $9.50 for 24 hours internet), we got some food in and settled in for a quiet night in front of the box.

12/12/07

Despite an early night we didn't wake til 9, which meant 10 and a half hours kip, 'sounds good to me'. Half awake we sprinted down for our free continental breakfast, which was....just enough, unlike the mountain of peanut butter I smothered on my toast to use up the jar, mmmm........peanut butter!! Back in the room we had our first baths in 6 MONTHS (!!), before we checked out at 11 and were whisked to the airport. With Qantas being absolute retards, our seats had failed to have been linked, so we sat separately, although behind each other, in amongst an enormous tour group of elderly American's, which should have been our worst nightmare, but they were disarmingly charming. Amy had a couple from Florida, both heavily tanned and sporting some very large gold jewellery, whilst I had a respectable couple from Virginia, who were sweet, accomodating (apparently I WAS allowed to ask to go to the loo, 'errrr, thanks'). We enlivened their trip with our tales, they did likewise with their's, and just before landing I was given some great advice. I was told, 'I hope you have a wonderful life. We've been married 57 years and it passes so quickly, make the most of it'. It sounds so simple its untrue, but it is true, and coming from someone that has lived through WW2, the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and the start of the 21st Century, with all the huge changes this has encompassed, its not ignorable, and I hold that advice dear.....

Our touchdown in Fiji was smooth, although I suspect the runway was a little short based on the mental breaking. Our first step outside the plane introduced us to our new pals, 30 degree heat and 75% humidity, and all of a sudden jeans and shoes seemed so inappropriate!! We were greeted by a Fijian band playing Christmas carols (when its sunny, thats just wrong!!), which lifted the spirits, although our first glimpse of the Fijians left us confused...male/female...gay/straight. Everyone is broad shouldered, affectionate, attentive and very very smiley, which I suppose aren't the worst traits, but I just can't work people out!!!! In fact, Fiji as a whole has been a model of friendliness, as unlike the Asians, they don't feel like we owe them f**k all, and don't think we are ar**holes because we 'happen' to have been born in one of THE most affluent countries in the world, which I suppose we should bear in mind when we are whingeing about the weather, its a small price to pay. Ever other bugger in the world wants to live in England.....WE SHOULD APPRECIATE IT!!!!!!!!!

Our arrival at our accomodation resulted in a somewhat tumultous couple of hours, disbelief turned to disappointment, to rage, to frustration, until we got off our arses and decided that we wouldn't be spending the last 3 days of our trip in a bloody dorm. STA travel had screwed our accomodation up, again (!!), and with no room at the inn (now I know how Mary and Joseph felt), we decided that rather than accepting the situation, we would go and find a double elsewhere. We did, and at a fraction of the cost, which meant that with a refund, the 3 days we enjoyed in tropical paradise cost us about 50 quid. Our new home was Escape Villas, whose accomodation proved a poser, which of the 4 beds shall we use, and which room is going to be our dressing room!!!! It was a tough choice, but we made it, and with fillet mignon and a couple of beers (low calorie no less) on the menu, and Amy indulging her fried rice craving, all was right in the world. In usual form we ducked out early, and slept for over 10 hours.

13/12/07

Up at 9 after a cracking lie-in, we took advantage of the free breakfast (which by free they meant crap), and spent the day by the pool in the original accomodation we were supposed to be inhabiting. With only sun and lunch to keep us busy the day passed lazily, before we headed back to our accomodation late afternoon to catch the final rays. A few games of cards and an early shower meant we eat, and turned in early again, about 9 to be precise!!

14/12/07

Despite going to bed at 9, we weren't up til 9, which, allowing for a bit of reading and the Ipods, was a decent night's kip. Breakfast was passable, and we spent the day at the pool, although not before we popped into town to grab some more cash and throat sweets for Amy who is fighting a bit of a virus. We had a driver for the trip, taking us door to door and hanging on whilst we purchased our goods, which is definitely my way to shop!!!! The security guard in the pharmacy did make me wonder about the security situation round here, as did the van full of guys in Army uniforms cruising the streets last night. But i've come to the conclusion that they know which side their bread is buttered, which is lucky cos they are big buggers, we wouldn't stand a chance!!! A bit of internetting killed the afternoon, as did an update on our flight plan for the return leg. a 10 hour flight to LA leaving at 4 in the morning, a 2 hour stop over followed by another 10 hour flight to London seemed a bit harsh, but it meant we'd be home, so we can put up with that. We were due for a 7 hour stop over in LA so we should be grateful for small mercies. Another cracking meal and an early night followed, whilst I joked to Amy that tonight would be a bad night to have a crap night's kip as our journey starts tomorrow evening....

15/12/07

Bo%%ocks, we woke up at 7, worst night's kip and the key one, typical!!! Still we'd had over 8 hours, so we shouldn't complain, i'm sure we'll be grateful of that in rainy january when we are stuck in the car going to work. With nowt to do, again, we sun-bathed all morning before lunch, soaking up the last rays, which looked like a scene from Sexy Beast. I'll leave it to you to decide who is Sexy and who is the Beast!!!! Lunch was a mountainous affair, and with our bellies full we tried to kip on the hammocks, but near on 30 hours sleep in 3 nights meant that was not happening. We killed the rest of the afternoon in the shade, sunned out, and generally minced the day away. Our only real excitement was sneaking into the original guest house's bathroom to steal a shower before our long trip home, which along with the hot water and copious amounts of aftersun, hit the spot. The evening involved tucking into a buffet dinner at the Aquarius, and generally putting the feet up as we contemplated the end of our trip. 6 months didn't seem like long, until the last few weeks, although we've got over the apprehension bit now and are just looking forward to getting home. We do have a couple of requests. 1, we can't drink for toffee, go easy on us!! And 2, don't moan cos we've got a tan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, we've gotta fly, we've got a 30 hour journey home to enjoy.........dope!!!!! Oh, and next time you here from us we'll be freezing in blighty!!!

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Photos

Dunedin
Otago Bay - That is a seal in the water

Dunedin
Sand fly bay (we weren't keen on the name but the place was beautiful

Dunedin
A sea lion - we didn't get too close, it was massive!!!

Dunedin
Sandfly Bay

Dunedin
Brighton Coast

Dunedin
Bit of ping pong anyone!!!

Dunedin
Chillin in Brighton

Dunedin
Not too far from home only 14502KM

Christchurch
Chess anyone