New Zealand Day 12

Spent the night on the ground floor of the hotel due to the lift not working as a result of the earthquake! Doors opened onto the beach with huge rollers breaking outside our room -awesome!

Woke up to RAIN! Drove to Hokitika Gorge - fantastic scenery and glacier fed waters and a swingbridge (especially when Tim was jumping on it!). Very Indiana Jones!

Drove on to Franz Josef - still pouring with rain. Helicopter trip cancelled due to weather!! Liz said we could drive to the glacier? We drove as far as we could and then had to walk 3 miles to the glacier in the pouring rain! We got very wet!

Hope to try the helicopter tomorrow morning but unlikely due to snow forecast!

Luv the Mums xxx

New Zealand Day 11

Left Nelson heading for Hokitika! Greatest drive in the world EVER! Throught the mountains and Buller Gorge and then onto the most amazing coastal drive you can imagine!

Then onto Westport and Cape Foulwind (who does that remind you of?). What a fantastic place, huge rollers coming onto a fantastic beach with no-one in sight!

Then onto the seal colony.

Yet another amazing picnic by the sea - the best yet!

Travelled onto Pancake Rocks with the sea gushing in and exploding out of holes in the rock!

After dinner in Hokitika we went in search of the Gloworm Dell, like twinkling fairy lights in all the trees and bushes.

An absolutely amazing day!

PS On the way home Tim saw this house for Vicky as it only needs a lick of paint!

Luv from the Mums xxx

Day 10

Drove past logging camp on the way to Nelson - another mountain road shortcut suggested by Liz!

Arrived at Nelson in the dark. The next morning we drove towards Abel Tasman National Park. Took a detour to Rabbit Island, but they were all out for the day - not a rabbit in sight! We had a wonderful beach picnic and were joined by all the local bird population after Val fed a duck!

Took another detour and met Hamish the Heron! He visits the fish shop every day for his dinner!

Then onto Cable Bay for the most breathtaking sea views!

Luv the Mums xxx

New Zealand Day 8 & 9

Drove to the biggest Windmill Farm in NZ accidently! Right on top of a mountain! Great views and very noisy! Tricky drive!

Had a beach picnic at lunchtime by the Tasman Sea.

Arrived at Martinborough - wine country! John & Tim found plenty to amuse them!

Streets were in the shape of a Union Jack!

Day 9

Drove to Wellington and had breakfast in the Chocolate Fish (used by the film crew of Lord of the Rings). Wonderful calm crossing to South Island ( no 40ft waves in the Cook Strait). Stunning scenery as we approached Picton.

Luv the Mums xx

New Zealand Day 7

Left Rotorua heading for Napier - the sun was shining and the birds were singing! First stop Huka Falls - amazing! We don't think Dave Goffe would fancy these waters!

Then onto Lake Taupo - largest lake in New Zealand for breakfast. Back in the car and over the mountains for Napier by the sea! Booked into the hotel, walked once round the town, biut were bored! So jumped back in the car to head for Ocean Beach and a stunning view of Cape Kidnappers!

Then onto Te Mateo Peak - a scary drive with sheer drops either side of the road and no barriers on the single track road. The views were worth the drive!

Just had dinner in the Hogs Breath Cafe! On to Martinborough tomorrow!

Luv from the Mums xx

New Zealand Day 6

Obviously John & Tim won the pool! Twice! They will talk about the night that 2 old english grandads beat the local talent for months! They are now legends in Rotorua!

The weather started off wet but soon became glorious - started in a Maori village looking at thermal pools and old geysers (nothiong new there for us!).

Auditioning for Singing in the Rain.....

This one's called "Grumpy Old Man ", anyone come to mind?

Then we went onto the Sky ride (gondola) and the LUGE! The most fun you can have without snow! We started on the scenic run but loved it so much, we did the advanced run! Hair raising and VERY fast! Left the ground completely at one point, but managed to stay upright.

Route 1, head down and going for it!

Finsished the day with a picnic by Lake Roturua - a bit cold but the sun was shining.
Off to Napier tomorrow.



Luv The Mums xx

New Zealand Days 4 & 5

Another long flight with no sleep! Full day still enjoyed in Auckland - much cooler and still sunny. Went up the Skytower for great views and walker miles again -but not in intense heat! Found a local bar for a meal and chill out before an early night!

Next morning up early to head for Roturua, where it is VERY smelly! Pouring with rain all day today, but did we let it stop us - not likely. Tried to view waterfalls but the path had almost as much water running down it as the river!

Found another local bar tonight - The Grumpy Mole! Challenged to a game of pool by 2 local lads who don't know the rules!! Very worrying when John had to play "Rock, paper & scissors" to start the game!

Nearly lost Tim!

See you all soon,

Luv the Mums xx