Well hello again one and all.
We have been travelling along most of Southland, meeting some wonderful people along the way. We called into a small church fellowship in Curio Bay 2 weeks ago and were invited to stay for lunch and even ended up parking overnight in the carpark! They have the most wonderful view from the church windows anywhere in the world! The next day we were invited to pop in to see Donna and Peter's Farm where we met allsorts of ponies (Ellie was in heaven) and a "PIT LIMB" called Sprite.
So after we rode the horses around the front lawn! we had to hot foot it back to Invercargil for a dentist appointment. Yes I had to have a bad tooth out and it was both agony before and after. At least I got an appointment and it was cheaper than the UK!
So we picked up the Catlins route and sheltered from some bad weather along the way. The temperature has been down and we have had some wet weather but all is well. It has the feelings of winter here at the momnet which is nice for a change.
After following the coast up to Dunedin we went to the Chocolate factory (Ellies choice) and walked up the steepest street. Then a trip out to the headland saw us Albatros spotting and have a photo to prove our search was not in vain.
Then we haeded back into the central inland area fro another trip upto Mt Cook. The weather was Ok on Monday and we got a distant glimps of the Mountain but for the next 2 days the clouds were down amd rain was the order of the day. Still it gave us chance to catch up with ED Hilary and the museum at Mt Cook and stoped me dragging the kids out on more walks. So we decided to head back to lower ground with more snow forecast. We had a couple of days in Gereldine, a pleasant little town with a hugh collection of vintage vehicles and an excellent tyre garage. Our only problem with Suzzie so far. A flat tyre and soon repaired with a new inner tube for next to nothing!!
We have spent a couple of days in Christchurch 1 day in and out of galleries and museums betwen the cold showers and even got ourselves invited for sunday roast at a Christchurch couples home. Thanks to the Coweys and their grandkids that entertained our two for the afternoon.
We are at Akaroa tonight and the kids are hoping to go swimming with the dolphins tomorrow, winter, one way tickets are very reasonable this week! So we will let you know how things get along ASAP.
Dont forget the pics that are up at
With some recent pics of NZ.
Lots of love to one and all
Jonathan
Hi Jon, anne, rowan & ellie
great to read your updates this week on the blog. Sounds a real cool place and u r obviously thoroughly enjoying your time there - not long to go before your hol in the cook islands. Abbie & I did a bit about captain cook in social studies this week funnily enough - and - ironically enough - were paddling down at bardsea and met a woman from NZ who moved over here 10 months ago with her husband and grandchild (2) and they are absolutely loving it!
We have had brill weather here this week - already been to bardsea twice and r off again now for more ice cream! Also had a school trip to brockhole; thirlmere; dunmail raise water treatment works on tuesday for a water day which was really fab!
Anyway - beach is calling. Rather overcast this aft but v warm and not a breath of wind - David is at work all weekend - shame - but we are certainly making most of weather as u never know how long it will last!
Love to u all - hope your time in the cook isles is a blast!!
Lisa & Gang xxxxxxxx