The Road to Rotorua

Posted from Rotorua by Daryl, 18 Jan 09 at 11:59

As we headed north, we passed through several Wild West type towns, one of which had more dead people than alive, judging by the size of the cemetery and deserted streets. First stop, the Huka Falls, which are magnificent. A huge volume of bright blue water tumbles into a narrow gorge, far too furious for white (or even blue) water rafting. After a riverside walk, I put my foot in a stream to cool off, but it was too hot to keep it in for more than a few seconds. Chris had already spotted steam... [Read More]

The Charnley Connection

Posted from Wellington by Chris'n'Daryl, 15 Jan 09 at 12:14

Passing through Nelson (we both wore eye patches for the occasion) we called in to see Sue Charnley's brother Pete who runs a very exclusive Backpackers hotel and pub. A most refreshing sojourn.
On to the Abel Tasman National Park where Chris did a long hike on the famous Track from torrent bay to Marahau. Daryl was suffering in the van with 56 insect bites on her legs and feet and resembled something from Lord of the Rings.
Next night we spent in the beautiful secluded bay at Okawi and then o... [Read More]

A Worm Glow

Posted from Hanmer Springs by Chris'n'Daryl, 12 Jan 09 at 16:39

Kaikura:
A motorboat took us 9 bumpy miles out to sea to whale watch. We saw three basking in the sun, producing the occasional water spout to add a bit of interest, before diving back into the deep. We were more impressed by the albatrosses, which had the wing span of a small car. In the evening we watched the latest James Bond film in a tiny Art Deco cinema, where a piano player in the pit wouldn't have looked out of place. Heading north the next day we stumbled on an amazing campsite in the... [Read More]

Wet and dry

Posted from Hanmer Springs by Chris'n'Daryl, 08 Jan 09 at 13:38

Hooray! We found an Opp Shop in Queenstown (think Oxfam) and bought replacement duvets and covers for £8. We were loathe to buy new as the originals were pretty old. In fact they weren't even pretty. We just need a launderette.

Equipment now fully restored, we set off up the coast road, spending the night on a conservation campsite. Beautiful mountains and gorges, but when walking to The Blue Pool through the rain forest, we were accompanied by swarms of evil biting insects, who feasted on ou... [Read More]

Home from motorhome

Posted from Wanaki by Chris'n'Daryl, 04 Jan 09 at 15:58

On arriving in Christchurch, we picked up our campervan which, despite having 200K Km on the clock, is excellent, with a big bed and lots of storage. No loo but who needs it when you have a bucket-and -chucket. Stayed overnight to check out the van and then took to the hills. The scenery is stunning. Think English Lake District. Take away most of the people and traffic, give a silly accent to the remaining few, genetically modify the sheep, add fjords, glaciers and banks of wild multi-coloured l... [Read More]

Happy New Year from Sydney

Posted from Sydney, Australia by Chris'n'Daryl, 30 Dec 08 at 00:59

We arrived in Sydney a few days before NYE. The city tour bus gave us an overview and ideas of what to see. A trip to Bondi Beach was a must, to rub pasty shoulders with the beautiful people. We've done the Harbour and Opera House from every angle, including from a boat and our hotel window. The view is the only good thing about the hotel, which brings a whole new meaning to the word 'basic'. An empty cardboard box would have had more frills.
We managed to rendezvous with Di and Pru at the Oper... [Read More]

A Capital Idea

Posted from Canberra by Chris'n'Daryl, 28 Dec 08 at 01:50

Said our sad goodbyes to Ann and Max who have put up with us for a week.They gave us a fabulous Aussie Christmas and were the perfect hosts. Pity they now have to post on Chris' mobile phone.
Drove over the Snowy Mountains (no snow at the mo) and stopped at Jindabyne ski resort (no skiing either) :(
Spotted 2 wombats but unfortunately both were feet up in the road. Passed Dead Horse Gap, Grunge Creek and other weirdly named places before arriving in Canberra. Can this be the capital of Austral... [Read More]

Merry Christmas

Posted from Melbourne, Australia by Chris'n'Daryl, 24 Dec 08 at 16:09

Merry Christmas to all our readers - ignore the date above, it is actually Christmas day and we are just over half way through our trip.


We've really loved the comments people have posted and we log in with eager anticipation. Thanks for staying with us....

Great Ocean Road

Posted from Bakewell, UK by Daryl, 23 Dec 08 at 23:57

After a night with Chris' colleague, Gail, a packed lunch was thrust into our hands as we set off on the Great Ocean Road. Much to our suprise and delight it was a real feast - gourmet cheese, biscuits, dip , fruit and a bottle of chilled wine, complete with glasses, plates and cultlery! Aussie hospitality is unrivalled.
The 200 mile plus trip took in endless sandy beaches and amazing coastal features, stacks, arches and booming blow-holes.
A night in Port Campbell, perfect apart from my slipp... [Read More]

Fairy Penguins

Posted from Phillip Island by Daryl, 18 Dec 08 at 23:28

We now have wheels (Toyota Corolla)so we took off for 2 days to Phillip Island, staying in a beachside motel. We cooked for the first time in 2 months and it had to be bangers and mash and English baked beans. Then it was off to watch The Penguin Parade. As the sun sets, hundreds of Little Penguins, only a foot high, waddle up the beach back to their burrows, where their children await a delicious dinner of regurgitated fish. The next day it was the koala sanctuary, where all we could see were f... [Read More]