AMAZING MILFORD SOUND SATURDAY 28Th JANUARY

Wonderful trip on Milford Sound 28th January

The sun is shining when we wake up which means we could have a good trip today.  It is another long drive for Jim but we arrive in good time have our lunch and head over to book in.  As we are queuing a crew member gives us a tip on where to head for on the boat and says to stand by sign so we are ready.  It is Disney all over again as we speed walk to the boat and almost run to the front and upstairs to the seats next to the Skipper's cabin.
I don't know why but I imagined or rather we both did that as it was a beautiful day the journey would be very calm quite the opposite there is a bitter wind but we stay in our seats with no coats and so glad we did. The views are amazing we see seals and even glimpse a dolphin and our smallish boat goes under the waterfall at the front which is incredible and looks like something from Merlin.  After our second waterfall we head inside for hot drinks and cookies what an amazing trip with Cruise Milford.

QUEENSTOWN AND TE ANAU 27TH - 29TH JANUARY

A brief visit to Queenstown then onto Te Anau

Up early today 26th January for our drive to Queenstown it's still raining which is a shame as makes driving harder.  Finally arrive at our hostel Southern Laughter and once again we have a lovely roo with ensuite - I am not saying these rooms are the height of luxury but just as good as a travel lodge and so much friendlier and has a car park. Walk into Queenstown literally 2 minutes there are loads of shops and reataurants and the sun is shining........ for a while and then the rain starts again wow not much of a summer luckily it's hasn't really impacted on what we want to do.  Dodge the rain later and have Thai meal.

27th January - Fruit for breakfast then  hoorah a Fergburger Oh my goodness this is an amazing burger.

ALL ABOUT FERGBURGER

Anthony Smith  started selling burgers from a tiny shop with one window in 2000 he now has a shop which opens 23 hours a day selling mainly burgers plus chips and a couple of other accompaniments.  The shop has a non stop queue outside today wasn't to bad it only took us 5 minuted to order then  15 minute wait for  the burger but sometimes people queue for an hour. 

After our Fergburger  we make our way to Te Anau where we are staying for 2 days.  Fiodland  motel is  great we even have a fridge. No need for dinner tonight due to burger have some bread and cheese.

OUR FIRST STAY IN A HOSTEL 24TH JANIARY

First stay in a Hostel

We booked into our first ever hostel today and what a surprise firstly as it's a really nice room with ensuite and lovely restaurant secondly because we are not the eldest here, I think the whole place has been taken over by older people. Have lovely Thai curry in the Bigfoot restaurant which is really good am loving this hostel.

After breakfast we send a request for an Airbnb in Queenstown and then go for a walk at Frans Jozeph,the other Glacier. Great walk with waterfalls and amazing scenery. Have some lunch and get a message to say Airbnb not available,which is a pain but whooo hoo manage to book up another hostel.

Another meal in Bigfoot at the hostel rump steak chips and garlic butter yummy. 

Jim asleep by 10 bless him he  has done a lot of driving, I write up diary and blog and load photos all finished by 1am all is good in the world.

JIM'S CRAWL THOUGH AN ICE CAVE

A very slippery ice cave but Jim went for it!!

A VERY SPECIA DAY ON FOX GLACIER 24TH JANUARY

A very special day

Up early at 6.30 as we are driving to Fox Glacier for our heli hike.  Weather is good and we have a good drive round some very winding roads and arrive at 9.50 in good time for our 10.50 trip, the only problem now is it is beginning to get cloudy and the trip may have to be cancelled.  We have an anxious wait but finally we have our woolly socks heavy duty boots and waterproof coats and we head off on the 2 minute drive to the helicopter.  Helicopter flight is great although it is only about 4 minutes - I think normally it is a longer flight but because of the clouds we had to fly low.

Crampons on our boots a quick lesson in how to walk in them and we are off on our Glacier hike which is amazing and at times a bit tricky especially when going down the very icy slopes.  It was an incredible experience we drank water from the Glacier and Jim climbed through an ice cave.  We were so lucky as the next 2 flights after ours were cancelled.

Worse thing about this trip...having to be weighed for helicopter flight but luckily this was done very discreetly whilst you stood at the till and the girl didn't repeat it out loud!!!!!

After our hike for some reason we decide to also walk around Lake Mathieson  which takes about 2 hours, this lake normally has amazing reflections of the mountains but as it is cloudy we miss out on this.

PHOTOS FROM HOKITIKA

Westport and Hokitika 22nd - 24th January

Westport and Hokitika 22nd - 24th January

Our journey to Westport has been delayed because of terrible rain and wind which has shut some of the roads so we eat home made cookies at our Airbnb and wait until it clears which is about 11.30.  The drive isn't good very hairy bends,  but after a stop for  lunch we finally arrive at  The Art Hotel.  This is not your normal Airbnb and it's seen better days a bit sad really but everything is clean.  Go out for a drive to local beach which has the most amazing trees laying all over it. Quick trip to the supermarket for some French bread and cheese and then back to hotel.
Make an early start the next morning and stop at pancake rocks which are amazing limestone rocks which have formed in layers on top of one another.  There is a walk around these rocks and once again as is the case all over New Zealand we pay nothing to park the car.  The sea is amazing as it blows through the holes in the rocks.  We arrive at Andy and Anna Marie's Airbnb and it is a beautiful  self contained ensuite on the side of their 200 hectare farm - it is so lovely that we wish we had booked for longer but tomorrow we have booked for Fox Glacier walk.  Eat at Stumpys in town delicious food then early to bed as we have to be up 6.30.

TATAKA 19TH - 22ND JANUARY

Takaka 19th - 22nd January

Today we left Nelson and we are on our way to Tataka but on Rachel's recommendation we are stopping at Able Tasman for a walk along the coast. Stunning walk along a path by the sea walked through a cave on the beach - on way back had coffee and cake at a beautiful cafe overlooking the sea called The Last Cafe.
Arrived at Jennifer's place our Airbnb for the next 3 days really lovely room and people.  Have a relax in the lovely garden and then go into town for pizza at the Dangerous cafe really good pizza and friendly staff.
After breakfast we make an early start as we want to fit in quite a lot today.  First stop is Whararika beach which is absolutely incredible and we see seals which is a bonus, next stop lunch at the Farewell spit with a great table overlooking the sea.  We then head off to Waikoropupu springs scenic reserve which is in the Guinness book of records for the clearest view through water of 65metres - this is a beautiful place and well worth a visit - next on our list was the Grove Scenic Reserve which has rainforest vegetation and limestone rock formations.  Finally we had a look at all of the beaches but a bit to late for a swim.
Agricultural Fayre with the family from out Airbnb today,  what a brilliant day , staying with Airbnb is such a lovely way to find out about what is going on in the local area. Had dinner with the family again tonight a  lovely chilli and then off to the cinema in town where we watch passengers whilst sitting on a comfy sofa.
Whilst we were at the Fayre the rain started coming down and it gets worse during the night and really windy,  we have to delay our departure till a bit later but the lovely Jennifer, Jason and their
little girl April let us stay and we are treated to home made cookies.

Finally leave at about 11.30 with hugs all round.

CLICK ON READ MORE FOR MAPS AND PHOTOS

NELSON 17TH - 19Th JANUARY

After a lovely crossing on the Ferry we arrived at the South Island at about 11.30 and then had a 3 hour drive to Nelson.  Last bit of journey involved a lot of very winding roads at one point behind a big truck full of logs!!
Arrived at Rachael and Steve's house at about 3 - accommodation is a self contained tiny chalet in garden with everything we need it's a bit like being in our camper van - in fact have decided that perhaps that is why I am finding living here relatively easy. Do machine wash which is great and hang in the sun to dry what a luxury!!
Go out to grab a few food bits and then to        beach which is beautiful, Jim has a swim but it's a bit chilly for me.
Have to good old chicken salad with avocado back in our little home and catch up on diarys etc.
After breakfast head into Nelson for a walk at the Botanical gardens - another hilly walk in the heat oh my am I glad when we reach the top.  little rest then back down and into town for lunch.
Last night at Rachael's home wine and flatbread with you got it......

GOOD PLACES TO VISIT IN NELSON

TAHUNANUA BEACH LOVELY GOLDEN SAND GOOD FOR SWIMMING

BOTANICAL GARDENS WALK TO CENTRE OF POINT OF NEW ZEALAND?

LAMBRETTAS FOR GOID FOOD

WE STAYED AT RACHEL'S AIRBNB WHICH WAS LOVELY

FERRY TO THE SOUTH ISLAND

We had a lovely calm journey to the South Island on the 3 hour crossing.  It was quite windy at first and calmed down later.

A wonderful stay in Wellington 15 - 17th January

WELLINGTON 15TH - 17TH JANUARY

We are so lucky to be staying with Tim and Francesca for a couple,of days,  we have know Tim since he was at secondary school with our son Ben.
We arrive at Tim  and Francesca's beautiful house and they show us to our lovely room - from this moment on we are made such a fuss of they are both really kind and helpful and it is so nice to see familiar faces.
Tim takes us on a mammoth trek to see his back garden which is on an incredible slope I feel like I am back on Bruce's tramp.

Have a lovely meal all together at The Crab Shack in Wellington, back home and book our ferry for tomorrow chargers didn't arrive by courier but Tim has a plan to send them on.  Walk to the beach with Tim and Oak their dog to watch the sun go down.

Oak the new dog loves me it's always like that I am not normally good with dogs but am like a magnet for any animal.

Up early on  the 16th for a ride  into Wellington.  We go to the Te Papa museum which is amazing and eat a lovely lamb souvlaki wrap on the front.  Looked for some thin trousers for our trip to the Glaciers later on but all quite pricey i.e. £100 - need to ask Francesca's advice.

Home about 4 and go for another March with Tim - all of these walks are so steep I still feel pretty unfit but ok on the flat.  Back home and Francesca cooked us a lovely meal of cannelloni with ragu few glasses of wine and beers for the men and we chat for ages.

Up at 6 and leave by 6.30 for ferry to the South Island.  Big hugs all round and we are off.

NAPIER

NAPIER 14th JANUARY

On the way to Napier we decide to stop at Lake Taupo which is when we discover we cannot get into the boot which has somehow jammed itself shut!!  we phone the hire car company and they advise we need to phone AA when we get to Napier what a pain.
Drive for about another hour stop for petrol and hey presto the boot opens after being on some bumpy roads.   Not so lucky with camera chargers which I have unfortunately left in Rotoura.  Our lovely host has said she will courier them to Wellington how kind.

Napier is a beautiful town full of Art Deco memorabilia and shops and delicious ice cream.  Plenty of restaurants but we are eating in tonight as although we only booked a room at our Airbnb our host is away with her children so we have the house to ourselves.  House is really lovely and we feel completely at home have a really goods night sleep.

Haka Falls 14th January 2016

So long farewell

We meant to leave early this morning but there are new guests a young couple from Switzerland Matteius and Laura and we chat with them at breakfast for about an hour. We say our farewells to Ruth and now on our way to Napier.

Best meal this week

Great meal at Capers in town of a chicken platter to share which included kebabs, sliders, garlic bread and deep fried Camembert and a sweet potato feta and pine nut salad naughty but delicious.   A lot of the restaurants here do cabinet food it is a great idea as the minute you walk in there is a chilled cabinet with food they can be eaten cold or heated up.  I know I am going off into catering mode here but can see how this takes the heat off the chef who can then concentrate on the few items on the menu that are cooked to order - and the food in the cabinet at Capers was extremely good, beautiful salads, pies, tarts, burritos and vegetable lasagne plus desserts to name but a few.
We went for a walk after dinner got a bit lost again. The trouble is Jim never says when he is lost he just marches on and I think he knows where he is going then suddenly even I don't recognise anywhere.  Lucky 2 girls gave us their map and we were only about 10 minutes away.

Lovely food

http://www.capers.co.nz/

Ruth's Landing in Rotoura

Photographs from our trips to skyline and Te Puia