Queen Charlotte sound

We have just had an amazing 2 days messing about in Kelvin and Linda's boat.  The first day we had a great lunch in a cafe that was in a small bay which is only accessible by water: there are lots of properties like this that have no road access at all.  There is a water taxi that goes around and it brings the post and your Tesco shop (except they don't have tescos - yet! ) after that Kelvin took us to Ships cove, which is the start of the Queen charlotte walk.  The whole walk is about 71km, but the first part to Endeavour was about 16k and took Steve and I about 3 1/2 hours, Kelvin took the boat round to the end of that section to meet us, and we had a meal there at the lodges.  If you were walking the whole trail you could stay in these lodges and the water taxi would bring your bags.  We spent 2 nights on the boat which was great fun, and such amazing scenery.  Today we managed to catch up on washing and visit another winery for more tasting!  Photos are of the sounds and our new granddaughter.

Baby arrived!

Just happened to check for text messages whilst having a meal with kelvin, Linda and friends, and found the long awaited text from Holly saying baby Abigail Rose had arrived and we were now grand parents!  Congratulations to Holly and Chris:). Can't wait for the pics.

To Picton

Had a great day in Wellington, john and Janice took us all over, from mount Victoria to the sea front, harbour and Te Papa museum, so we got a good feel for the city.  Had some great food and took the hired car back.
This morning john dropped us at the ferry for the 3 hour crossing to Picton which is at the top of the south island.  The ferry went through some beautiful water ways to get to the port.  Kelvin met us and took us to his and lindas home, a short drive along the coast, to a house with an amazing view across the sounds. 

We have already been to a vineyard for wine tasting!

Photos

Photos of the way up to john and Janice's house!  The pics don't really give a true impression of steps and slopes.

Turangi to Wellington

Had a great day in Turangi, we borrowed some mountain bikes and cycled along the river path, it was about 15km and lovely, if a bit challenging in parts - mainly because I've never riden a bike with more than 3 gears before! So trying to anticipate which gear for a sudden hill was interesting, and resulted in quite a bit if walking too - anyway it was a bit of a giggle.  The afternoon had us white water rafting, which was brilliant, we were on the water for about 2 1/2 hours: very well organised, they even gave us a beer and a hot dog at the end.
Sunday we travelled south again on highway 1 and ended up in the afternoon at Wiakanae - about an hour before Wellington. We called in on Pauline and Friedl and lots of other family arrived, and we had a great time getting to know everyone and working out relationships.  The BBQ was well cooked by Friedl outside, under cover, while it rained cats and dogs! - we ate inside:)  later in the evening we drove down to Wellington with John and Janice where we are staying for 2 nights.  I think we've worked out that John and Pauline must be my 2nd cousins.  John and Janice said the lived up a few steps - an understatement! I'll try and get some photos later, but we drove up a steep hill with a couple of hairpin bends, then carried our luggage (well - Steve and John did) up loads of steps to the house, there are fantastic views though.  More later.

Hamilton and beyond

We picked up a hired car from the Auckland hotel, found our way out of the city and headed south.  Hamilton wasn't very far, so took our time. We found the Auckland botanical gardens, which were great with unusual sculptures all through, and loads of roses that seem to do well in NZ.
  When we arrived in Hamilton we had a pleasant walk along the river before heading to our b & b.  This was good, with a lovely retired couple, (was going to put elderly, but we're nearly that age!) the man had 3 classic cars, - morris Cowley, morris 8 and Morris oxford, so Steve had a good look at these!
Today we set out from Hamilton and went to Hobiton where they filmed the hobbit and lord of the rings.  We saw all the hobbit houses - only fronts as the insides were studios.  It was quite fascinating, they even gave you a drink in the green dragon. 
Tonight we are at Turangi, just south of lake Taupo, we've had our first glimpse of the snow covered volcano, and we also learnt that this huge lake is actually a crater, that was formed in the 2nd century AD.   We're here for 2 nights.

Auckland

Arrived in New Zealand and haven't felt too tired after having dozed on the plane.  had to declare that we had walking boots, and although we had both washed the mud off them before travelling, they weren't clean enough for the kiwis! So - if you want someone to clean your boots, come to NZ !
Caught the airport bus into the city which dropped us very close to the hotel.
We've done some washing and Steve is ironing :) 
We had a look around the harbour area, found an icecream;) then tonight we  met up for a meal with Hayley and Si, - Chris' sister and husband who emigrated a year ago. It was great to catch up with all their news and that they are happy with jobs and life in NZ - except    Christmas will never be the same though!
Weather pleasant, but a few raindrops on the way from the airport!

Singapore again.

Yesterday We had a walk to China town, as its the Chinese New year - or they seem to call it the Luna New year, there are loads of decorations for the year of the horse.  There are shops that sell nothing but decorations, just like our Christmas shops.  In the afternoon, we had our tour which included high tea at raffles Tiffin room, which was excellent! In the evening we went to the night safari at the zoo.  It was an experience to get there - we took the tube and a bus.  The tubes are amazing, they arrive behind a wall with doors, so there's no jumping onto the rails!  The zoo was really busy, we understand because there are more of Chinese on holiday for the new year.  however, once we got on the tram and walked around, it was quite fun.  The trip back to hotel was better as we found a shuttle bus. 
We booked our flights with Singapore airlines using their stop over facility: they gave us loads of vouchers for various attractions, so hardly any of what we've seen has cost us anything! 
Today we took bus to the botanic and orchid gardens, they are very beautiful; it was much hotter and humid today though, so felt it walking around!  Now at airport waiting to go to Auckland.

Singapore

Arrived to wonderfully cloudy but warm weather. Went on the flyer yesterday, it's slightly bigger than the London eye. Had a very early night as we seemed to have lost a nights sleep.  Today we have walked miles it seems, having gone round sentosa island, over on the cable car, into various attractions, and then back to a new attraction called the garden in the bay: its got these huge tree like structures and eden project style green houses.  Have a look on Google!   Hopefully all ok at home.  I can only post photos taken with my phone, so will try and remember to take a few.

Ready for the off

We'll it's 11.48, Steve's buying a meal deal at Boots, and its 10 mins before we find out the gate number.     

How to view.

Just a reminder that when you want to view the blog click the title, - not the part the says to 'view or comment'  A x

Steve watching raiders of the lost arc!

2 weeks to go.

Just setting up the blog page so that I can get it loaded onto the tablets and phone.  Have just booked the taxi too and from Heathrow, so that is sorted, we leave at about 9am on the 17th January.  Got lots to do before then, but really looking forward to the off now :)