Wellington!

So after retracing our steps back south to Wellington to meet up with Andy, we had some confusion over one way streets and parking options but managed to persuade the valet drivers that they really should valet park our van for us. This led to some measuring and minor confusion as it wouldn't fit in their car park and so it would have to be parked in the premier spot out side the Intercontinental Hotel in the centre of Wellington! As Andy had very kindly organised for us to stay in the hotel too, it seemed only right we take advantage of this, we were sure our prime spot would do Piwiwiwi Camper-vans some good advertising. 

After catching up with Andy and exploring our new room for the next few day we were about to head out to look for food when Andy pulled a bottle of Bowmore out of his bag!  LEGEND! We headed down to the waterfront to check out the bars and get a bite to eat and spied a place to hire kayaks which promoted scheming for the next couple of days. After an amazing and very swish dinner and we went to explore Courtney Place. The next morning we set off in our hired kayaks (as per usual a slight exaggeration of our paddling experience got us better boats) to explore the harbour. The highlight being the oversized fountain in the middle of the harbour. We couldn't have been luckier with the weather glassy calm water reflecting the skyline and wall to wall blue sky and not a breath of wind made the entire adventure all the more stunning. Coming ashore we were excited to see what else Wellington had to offer and to make the most of our time, but after consulting the eyesore staff it seemed we had to go out and make our own fun. So with the tourist office best offer being a seal and windfarm tour...We headed off up the hill behind the city and on our return to the hotel a quick sauna and swim was in order before a quick bite to eat and then out for dance production called Beautiful Burn Out which had a pretty hard hitting story line with absolutely amazing dance choreography. The next morning we headed out of town to hire some bikes and hit up some trails. After a long technical climb to the summit we raced back down tight twisting tracks with big banking corners and jumps. I've not had that much fun on a bike since I was 8 years old and learning to do no handers and wheelies!!!! 

palmerston n.

So after arriving back in the North Island we headed up to Palmerston North to visit Stuart and Ailsa, Merryn, Lynley an the kids. We were very kindly put up and fed by Stuart and Ailsa and spent a week enjoying home comforts and amazing home cooking.

Robin Hood Bay.

*for people who dont care for waves this might be a blog entry to skip*

So after a surf deprived week we decided to try and tackle the goat track over the two mountains to Robinhood Bay, a tinny wee bay tucked away up behind a big wrapping headland. From the second summit we decided to stop and try and get 'that' photo of 'us with our van photo'. Although it took many tries and lots of posing-not all if it flattering we Finlay got one we were pleased with. After descended back down the goats path into the bay we were confronted with a lovely 2-3ft peak and glassy off shore. The only draw back being the all most vertical shingle beach you had to negotiate to get into the water and once on a wave the occasional back wash of a wave hitting your wave!



Christchurch Dunedin

So on our way North we stopped off at few places, Gore Capital of Fly Fishing and Country Music, Dunedin where it was creepy how much it was like Edinburgh even down to Skerryvore and Runrig Cds being in the shops, and on to Christchurch where we were shocked by the devastation. We also found Nz, steepest street and a really good farmers market in Dunedin. 

loving this song

Shadow Lands

After leaving Queenstown and Ben's hospitality we headed off down to the Millford Sound, and through some of the most stunning scenery yet. Driving through the 'Plains of Rohan' was quite creepy as the mists rolled through the big valley. Stopped for pretty much the worlds best Pie ever! To get into the Millford Sound we had to drive through the mines of moria which was pretty amazing as the tunnel lights werent working and the traffic lights were out as well...emerging on the other side we found our selves surounded by mah-assive mountains with shear drops down to the steep windy valley floor. 

Millford Sound was indescribable. Im tempted to leave it at that and let the photos show you, but they dont really do it justice! It was like nothing I had seen before, (better than the fjords in Norway by far). Waterfalls just fee falling for ridiculous heights into the sea and vertically steep faces on every side.

Queens Town!

The drive into Queenstown had been described by Ian, as being "two routes one for the brave and one for the sensible" so naturally we took the 'brave' option and coaxed our wee van up and over the mountain pass (lord of the rings style) and were greeted  by magnificent views of the lake and mountains around Queenstown. Finally we had reached Lord of the Rings Territory! Much of the journey was taken up with quotes from the films and general LOTR trivia.  The town was beautiful and having been fore warned about Ferg Burger we went in search of this mighty meaty challenge. Sitting on the lake shore watching the sun dip bellow the magnificent mountain range (which surrounds the town/lake) while sipping a beer and digesting the meat overload we agreed we had found somewhere (at-last) in the south island we could live...if only there was waves!

Camping below the peak of Ben Lomond at the lakes edge again we resorted to LOTR  commentary and I finally  gave in and asked to learn the ways of rummy. After finishing my book, reading every leaflet, running the ipods flat and doodling on every spare blank space it was the lesser of 2 evils (Intense boredom or cards). I might add I am AMAZING and Egyptian Rat Screw is just a ridiculous game for people who cant handle real games.

While ideally wandering the streets of queenstown weighing up our options on how best to get an adrenalin fix we wandered passed Quicksilver and who else is standing in the doorway but Ben Lethem (from Lochgilphead now Im starting to believe this really is a small world). On his advice we head off up the mountain on the cable car for a introduction tandem flight with the paragliding company G-force. For those of you who know that feeling you get the first time you pop up, drop down the face of a wave feeling the acceleration and make that first wobbly bottom turn and you look up on the glassy green face shimmering and stretching off in front of you and that feeling of untainted child-like excitement. The feeling that leaves you just wanting more. Well thats kinda how I felt as my feet left the ground the noise, cares and worries left us behind as we sored out over queenstown. Our instructors gave us both a thrilling flight with high banking wing overs where the G force crushed you into the seat followed by the weightless free fall felling of a controlled stall. I feel I owe an apology to Tim my pilot who patiently answerer all my questions on landing  on all the technicalities and techniques/skills required to fly.

Being handed a Cd with photos of our flight was one thing but a book of discounts around town was another thing and I dont think Mairi's smile could have got bigger when she realised what it was! Taking advantage of the discounts we indulged in possibly Biggest/Best ice cream ever, a dodgie half pint of home made pub ale and then headed off to find a hair dresser willing to take on the challenge of my mop of hair. After scouring the back streets and low life haunts of the cheap barbers who might be desperate enough to want to cut my hair we discovered such a man, a french man! Who worryingly seemed to quite enjoy touching my head and running his fingers through my hair. Putting it out of mind and showing off my C grade standard grade french I ended up with very short but adequate trim. Dinner with Ben and his adopted family that night was amazing and it was really good to hear about all the goings on in the town. The next morning minds a bit hazy after a few beers the night before we decided to head on up Ben Nevis, unfortunately our body's weakened from the night before weren't holding out too well against the heat and steep gradient and by the top of the gondola the conclusion was unanimous. It would be a far better use of our time to play on the luge track and try set best times, ram each other off the track and try get air off the wee jump rather than climb a mountain with all the pain and effort that goes with it.