South Island

Fox glacier





Pancake rocks

Christchurch

Lake Tekapo

Routeburn track

Mt Hooker

Queenstown

Oh we're a bit tired Lesley!!  I left them for five minutes and this happened!!

An overnight stop in a great hostel in Picton greeted us onto the South island. After a much needed sleep we headed to Christchurch for a all too brief visit. Christchurch suffered an earthquake in September which fortunately caused no fatalities but did leave a trail of damage throughout the city. The city is bizarrely more English than England. With familiar street names and buildings which wouldn’t look out of place in any English town it was all very pleasant. Definitely a place I could have spent more time in. The next day saw us at Raititaga gorge where some of the guys went white water rafting. I went for a run in the countryside dreaming of home. I arrived back from my run to find my tent in a heap due to the extreme winds courtesy of a cyclone currently hitting the North island. A bush camp at stunning Lake Tekapo enabled us to witness a stunning sunset . The water in the lake is an unbelievable opaque blue colour as it comes straight from the glaciers. Everywhere you look in this country leads you to another stunning view and at times it’s hard to take it all in. To us Europeans as well the sight of the half moon being the wrong way round looks very bizarre, not to mention all the different star constellations. A visit to Mt Cook was unfortunately curtailed due to heavy rain but it gave us a chance to visit the Edmund Hilary exhibition which proved very interesting. The bad weather continued as we cruised on the Milford sound and the mist gave the mountains a surreal feel.


Several of us completed the famous Routeburn track. Following a set route over 3 days in Fjordland, it’s a pleasant walk through waterfalls, over swing bridges, up hill and down dale with great views along the way. At less than 20 miles it’s the sort of walk we would do in England in a day but apparently these Kiwis aren’t as tough as us and take longer! We met up with the rest of the group in Queensland which is possibly my favourite place so far. Bungy jumping and sky diving junkies fill the town, but I opted for the more sedate biking and running. Running alongside a blue lake with mountains in the background suits me more than swinging on an elastic band. A hike up Fox Glacier was next led by a very informative guide with the added bonus that he looked like David Coultard. It was fascinating to stand on the ice and hear all the history of the glacier. Bit chilly though!




We’re currently at yet another stunning beach camp although I have upgraded tonight to a cabin. As much as I love camping sometimes a nice bed is too appealing. A visit to the nearby famous pancake rocks ( everything is ‘famous’ here) was in order and even I was impressed. So impressed I intend to return at sunset and take some photos.

New Zealand

So no lotto win for me and I completed my flight down to Auckland via an eventful night on the floor at Sydney airport. I rushed to check in as soon as they opened at 04:00 only to be told that they had no record of my booking. They cannot fool me however as I had the evidence in my hand so Quantas had to concede. Bit of a scary moment though. Flying into Auckland airport over the tiny islands that surround the north east coast the views were glorious and a great fore taste of things to come. After a couple of days exploring Auckland, so called city of sails as it has one sailing boat to every 5 people, I had signed up to a Flying kiwi tour of both islands and so duly joined that in Auckland. Having been on the tour now for 6 days I feel my feet have barely touched the ground and I’ve been busy every moment. Highlights so far include walking the Tongairio crossing, a high alpine trek, considered to be one of the best day walks in the world. It was extremely beautiful but I have to say that I have had just as good walks in our Lake district, I’ve cycled up and down mountains, ran alongside waterfalls, taken forest walks and sat in thermal pools. We visited the oldest Kauri tree in New Zealand. It led to a bit of an error on my part when I looked at the wrong tree for five minutes thinking I’d been scammed whilst everyone else stared at the correct tree in wonder.

Bay of islands

I eventually found the largest tree!

Thermal activity in Rotorua

Lake side camping

Huka falls

Emerald lake Tongariro

Group of valiant trekkers

The north island of New Zealand is uncannily similar to Britain and at every view point there is something that reminds you of the lakes, Yorkshire dales or Snowdonia. It is a stunningly beautiful place with natural wonders in abundance. Every beach is fantastic, there are geysers, hot pools galore, all very lord of the Rings and today we drove past Mt Doom.  As I haven't seen the film I was a bit bemused but everyone else was very excited. Everyone tells me the south island is even better so I’m looking forward to tomorrow when we make the ferry crossing from Wellington over to Picton.

Bunbury and Walpole

Walpole

We had to visit the local bar



Xmas day on the beach



Met this crazy lady

James at the summit of Mt Frankland

Kangaroos!!

Damage from bush fires

Walpole

Fellow Odysseyers James and Kay had kindly invited me to spend Xmas and the New Year with them at their new home in Bunbury. An offer which I was most grateful for and it was fantastic to see them again looking very well and obviously delighted to be amongst their family. It was great to meet all of them whom I’ve heard so much about. Ben also joined us for his first Christmas away from home. Christmas day started off on the beach which felt very strange to me. Where’s the snow! I guess it doesn’t snow much at 38 degrees. We ate lots of good food at Rachels and Brians, daughter and son in law of James and Kay and we were fed until we popped! Of course Kay made us drink the dreaded alcohol as well, we were defenceless, particularly Ben. After a few days in which I either cycled, ran or walked every street in Bunbury we headed for Walpole which is situated on the south west corner of Australia. Rachel and Brian have a home there deep into bush land and I found it absolutely fascinating. Surrounded by acres and acres of bush land it was a slice of paradise. Populated by snakes, kangaroos and emus to name a few it was great to see the real Australia and Australian locals. So far here I have struggled to meet anyone who is actually Australian, every nationality but. A boat trip on New Years eve into and beyond the inlet at Walpole bought us to the best beach I have seen so far. The colour of the water had to be seen to be believed and with the waves crashing onto the deserted shore it was a memorable way to look forward to the oncoming year. A party late into the early hours at a neighbours house, this was the nearest neighbour at 1k away, enabled me to meet lots of true blooded Australians. Immensely friendly and welcoming, they certainly love to party and I only mentioned the Ashes a couple of couple of times! Well you’ve got to.




Australia is a country I’ve warmed too rather than liked straight away. In lots of ways and not unsurprisingly, it feels like England. Obviously slightly hotter and supersized and I’ve never had kangaroos bounce across the road in front of the car in England, but it feels very familiar. I do love the laid back attitude of the Aussies, no stress here, we should adapt that policy. Walpole is an amazing place, so amazing I’ve bought a local lotto ticket and I know where I’ll be buying a house if or should I say when my numbers come up. So another country chalked up, I think I’m on maybe 25, and it’s New Zealand tomorrow. Wonder what sport we can beat the Kiwis at!