New Zealand

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So James finished in A+E on 18 Feb and was picked up by Anne who has basically had a 6 week holiday already.

We drove up to Mount Rupehu 2774m - the highest mountain in North Island and camped in a DOC site. The following day was perfectly clear so we decided to climb the mountain - after some hard scrambling and some interesting snow crossing with long run outs we climbed onto the top into perfect sun - the mountain is actually a volcano and we had brilliant views down into the crater lake.

Following this we drove up to Auckland to pick Annes parents up - they came armed with masses of suitcases which with some luggage juggling we were able to squash into the car.
We creeked and groaned our way to Thames in the Coromandal to stay a very plesent first night in perfect sun.

After this our plan was to move slowly south over the next two and half weeks to Queenstown in lower South Island. On our route we went view Rotoroa, Taupo, Tarangi - Alan (anne dad went fishing for large brown troat but was unable to catch any).

It was at Taupo when we sustained our first accident. Whilst sailing a small yacht on the lake in high winds James who had been sailing well for over 30 mins give control over to Anne - within seconds anne had lost control of the boat and had been knocked unconsicous by the boom. She had also sustained a small laceration to her head - when she woke there was blood dripping everywhere. Unfortunately James didn't need to suture or glue as it turned out to be only a small cut!!

Anne's parents went for a fly in a small sesna plane around the Tongarrioro Volcanoes.
We celebrated Liz's 60th birthday in Napier an art deco town which had been completly destroyed by an earthquake in the 1920's.

Following this we drove down to Palmerston North to show the parents our home for the last 6months and then on down to the Kapiti coast and Wellington.

The Cook Strait crossing was smooth despite warnings of high winds and we arrived in Picton to stay in an incredible house set on a hill overlooking the Marlbourgh Sounds.
After going to many winery's we set off for the glaciers and did a glacier walk. We continued on down to Queenstown had a play on a jet boat and arrived to rain and snow.

We waved goodbye to Annes parents and have spent our first night camped in the rain - many more to come.
We are now planning to do several multi day treks as we continue south.

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Comments

[Neelom]

Glad to see you even wear the old shorts in a glacier, Wako. It all looks absolutely amazing. Hope you come back soon...

[Peter Huntley]

Head
Hope Anne's head is ok. Looks fairly amazing and sat in the middle of London I am definately jealous! Obviously that last comment was referring to the holiday not Anne's head. Which I am sure is amazing. But not for me. Erm. Yes. I have nothing more to say.

[Rhian]

Poor Anne!
Hi there both! you sound like you`re having fun other than for the small accident!James I guess you are writing this?!hope you are ok anne! We miss you both lots! Rhixx