We cant believe that we have been in NZ for 5 weeks already but we have made it across the Cook Strait ( Hilary, it was calm as anything and no I was not sick!!) adn have arrived on the South Island. We were met with rain off the ferry and a very wet first night but we are glad to reprt the sunnt warm weather has returned for days 2 and 3 (so far).

We popped into see the owners of Suzzie who live outside Nelson and ended up staying the night on their drive(Yet another free nights camping, AL budget book is very pleased) and the kids enjoyed a few visits around all their animals. Have you ever ben up close and personnel to an emu? Rather large and scarry at first but they are only able to eat and run away or so they say. Anyway we have driven from Nelson through wonderful countryside and rivers to the West coast and are currently in Westport. We are washing and stuff before heading south along the West coast to the Glaciers and more mountains for the next week or so then on to Wanaka and Queenstown or so the plan is unless something else comes up.

With the sun still shinning we will let you know of our next adventures shortly.

Lots of love to one and all and yes we are missing home a little and I gues missing you aswell but this place is amazing so we are putting up with it fro a few more weeks.

The Bartons