New Zealand - The South Island Part 1

---

Hello everyone!

A week has passed again and we have covered so much ground. We are now half way around New Zealand's South Island, at Fox Glacier. We have been through rain, sun, wind, and I think some sleet today...The weather here is crazy... Still having an incredible time though, and the scenery here is unbelievably impressive. I hope you're not all getting bored with more 'scenery shots' but we cannot stop taking pictures of this beautiful country, as every turn we take on the road takes us to a new breathtaking viewpoint.

Since we last updated, we visited Malborough and tasted yet more New Zealand wine!! Cloudy Bay (NZ most well-known winery) was definitely a highlight. After three separate vineyard towns, we were ready to move on and headed to Kaikoura. We had high hopes to be able to bring you incredible whale photos from our whale watching, but unfortunately, on the day that we booked our boat tour, all the day's tours got cancelled due to rough seas and we were not able to take the trip (unfortunately Albert had already taken his sea-sickness tables which made for an interesting and drowsy journey to our next destination!!) We had no time to waste though, and decided to move on and try and tag on Kaikoura again at the end of our whistle-stop South Island tour. Fortunately we were able to experience a very common Kiwi farming practice as our video shows. The Sheep show was much more entertaining than we'd have ever thought, and the seal colony opposite was just gorgeous.

Next, we stopped at Hanmer Springs for another self-indulgent dip in the town's famous hot springs, and then straight onto the Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson region for a short trek or 'tramp' as the Kiwis call it. We had the most beautiful weather we could have ever hoped for, and the trek was breathtaking. We also decided to have another go at horse trekking and this time we got taken to the beach (something we've both always wanted to do). It was an incredible experience...

From Abel Tasman we drove through more beautiful scenery on our way to the Glacier region. We stopped at Greymouth (nothing to write home about) but drove through some lovely little towns including Hokitika on the way down. We arrived this afternoon and it is freezing! We were considering taking a guided tour to actually walk onto one of the glaciers, but are now thinking that standing on ice in the pouring rain may not be great fun, so we may chicken out...

We are off to Queenstown tomorrow (via Wanaka) - the adventure capital of the world - who knows, another sky dive may beckon....

Not really mums, we will be very well behaved and sensible, we promise.... 😉

Part 2 to follow soon!
big love
A and A xxx

---

Photos

6 wineries in a few hours...
approx 8 samples in each... hmm....

Talking to Albert's cousin Petrit on Skype!!
(a computer program where you can talk and see the person on the other end, for you non-techy types...!)

Comments

[Mum]

Missing You!!!!!!
Hi you two! Your blog received today was fantastic. The photos of you both on the horses were amazing especially the one where you, Albert, managed to get a picture of you both on horseback going through the water at sunset - it was beautiful. I loved the video of you Amy feeding the sheep - it was hilarious and Albert's face while he was watching the sheep-shearing was a classic!!!! I have watched the videos over and over again today - as you can see I'm not missing you much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well keep yourselves safe and look after each other and NO MORE skydiving please!!! Lots of love to you both. Mum (and Dad) xxxxxxxxx

[Suzie]

Wow
Those pics are amazing. I must ask, I know I'm very shy, but who is that man you are chatting with on Skype? he is so handsome. Is he in London? I hope so. Actually, I don't care. I'm going to fly to wherever he is. Is that one of Albie's cousins? What is his skype name? Tell me! Now!!!! Ames, i'm so bored in London. The american boys are so much better. Just ask Estelle. She wrote a song about it for bloody sake. His room is a bet messy, I could clean it for him, does he live with his mum? If so, why doesn't she clean it?

[Mother Of The R.B]

Was that sheep on drugs ?
Yet another "fun filled blog" I think you two are going to have to become very famous when you return from your travels, that way you can do a reality programme and have cameras following your every move ???? Was that sheep on drugs - it seemed very relaxed !!!!!! For goodness sake......give Suzie the details of that blokes on Skype - I feel another wedding coming on !!!! We (me, Luke and the Woolfs) would love to Skype you too ?? Keep safe and have fun ! Love the Mother of the "Long Haired" R.B xxxxxxx

[Anna Banana]

We are connected!
Hey Amy, hey Albert! We have our broadband up and running at last - wahoo! We're gonna bombard you with comments now. Must start by saying I'm super jealous of the two you - more jealous about this one particular activity than any of the others you've done so far...... you guessed it? Horse riding in the surf!!!!! That looks incredible, I'm dying to do it! We can go in St Lucia - I saw it in the sandals brochure - you two will be pros at it! Your horse looked so pretty too Amy. Anyway, those videos were great too, we've just been squealing at you feeding the little lamb - so sweet! and that poor little thing getting all his wool shaved off. He must have really felt the cold after that. Or did they eat him too? The scenery in New Zealand looks stunning - bring some back for us. :) So we are really settled in our little cottage now, I just love it. We are like two little old dears now (not that we weren't before) We rush home from work to our little warm cottage, have our dinner, put our slippers on and then snuggle up next to our open fire... its so cosy ....and thats how it goes every night......bliss! I can't wait for the two of you to see it - you'll love it. I'm getting really excited about the weddings now too - mine and yours! Its no time at all now is it?! And time will fly over for you two too. I have a dress fitting on Thursday in Liverpool - oh and your bridesmaid dress is ready too. I've been looking at parasols online and have found some really nice ones for us. I hope you'll like it coz you don't have much choice!! So its on to Australia next?! Can't wait for your next blog - and keep the videos coming - they're really great. Take care, loadsa love Anna banana xx

[MR JONATHAN JENKINS]

Grimsby still haven't won
They haven't you know, its 22 league games now, going back to march. You'd sack your manager after the form in the last two months but we've already done that once this season and we can't do it again. Saw Grimsby at Exeter last weekend. Drew 0-0. We stayed down in Dartmoor and Exmoor for five days. Went to the Eden project which was good.Tried to go horse riding but the rain was so torrential that the roads flooded and a car in front of us got stuck. Went to a miniature pony farm tho so the camel was happy enough. Saw Grimsby at Dagenham last tuesday. Lost 4-0. Was so cold it was snowing - first snow in october for 75 years. Was 5/6 cm in herts which cancelled all the trains home so i had to get a replacement bus and got home at half past midnight! We love out little place. We can do what we like. Anna put the jelly pots on her boobs tonight. That was fun. You look like its cool in NZ, we can keep up to date more easily now we've finally got th'internet working,like. We met a ram in torquay too, called him rambo. Gotta go. Bye x for amy x for albert (no tongues tho, that would be gross)

[AandA]

Anna baby!!!!
Cannot wait for horses in St Lucia!! - defo one of the best experience so far, although we have a story for you about Berti's horse misbehaving...let's just say he was more than a little frisky...!! Miss you and Jof sooooo much - but will be home so soon now - if you need anything from Vietnam tell me, they make gorgeous handmade clothing for v cheap apparently, so berti is going to get his suit for your wedding -let me know if you need anything hun. Cannto wait to see you cottage too - sounds just perfect!!!! Off to Oz for just Melbourne and Sydney (as the money ran out a bit!) then off to Asia for the last month (as we can survive on 10 quid a day apparently!!) haha.. And my BM dress is ready!! hooray! hope i still fit into it - NZ has been fun but fattening... :( Will update again soon - write more messages, we love you Me and Berti xx

[AandA]

Skype!
Hey jane - what's your skype name???? I'll try you when we're next online.. Btw, 'Suzie' was Petrit (Albert's cousin) talking about himself, so no more weddings for now!! You'll meet him at our wedding - he's hilarious... I cannot wait for eveyone to meet! Send my love to Luke (and pleased to hear his gorgeous hair is still in tact!!) Much love xx