[aberdian]

Evening all

First off, kudos to Moorf for her two recommendations, La Toscana to eat in Te Anau, although spoilt by the drunk behind us giving us grief for our 2yo kicking her seat (we were busy trying to stop her without a major outbreak.....), and Peppers Beacon in Queenstown from wher I'm writing this. Top place.

Started off for a couple of days in Christchurch, getting over jetlag and just wandering, botanical gardens, trams and the aquarium. Some truly awful food too tho (Ferment I think, down by the Avon).

Then off to Queenstown (flying), car to Te Anau staying at the Red Tussock motel, a spotless 70's place, very friendly. Milford Sound next day, beautiful chilly weather and a cruise up the Sound. Next day was nature reserve and glowworm caves, stayed over and back to Qtown nmext day. I have to say that Queenstown was a shock, reminded me of Whistler in Canada, but it's really grown on us. Johnny and Fiona did the Shotover Jet today and we had a visiit to Arrowtown which is fab. We have probably the best vista I've ever seen from our apartment..........

Back to CCH tomorrow, pick up the campervan which'll be a bit of a comedown after Peppers Beacon..... Anyways, here's a few pics of the story so far. First in botanical gardens in CCH, 2nd is Milford Sound, 3rd is Iz after pretty much passing out with jetlag. More in a couple of weeks when we get home - no internet in campers!

[aberdian]

just 2 more pics. Te Anau and the road to Milford Sound.

Oh, and the Homer Tunnels looks like it was hand hewn by dwarves.... I want to live in Middle earth.

[zardell]

Glad to hear that you're having such a great time.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday - I'm sure you will.

Julie

xx

[Sam B]

Hmmm, looks great. Can't wait for our trip to the S.I. at Christmas. Have a lovely rest of trip.

[Bruckner]

Have a great time Ian and be sure and update when you get home.

Emily

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Camper vanning around NZ is fab. We did it for a month last year.

Try not to crash it into any shops though. Oops. :uhoh

[aberdian]

Well, it's back home time and I'm sad to say that we still are slightly jetlagged, F more than me, but it seems to be a transmittable disease as I've been up since 3am anyway :)

Where I left things was after the holiday part and before the business part of the trip ie. before checking out places to live and after snowy Queenstown. We picked up the worlds worst campervan (Pacific Horizon, just say NO) and headed to Ashley Gorge for one night, only to find the site semi closed and pretty damn run down, not a fantastic start to our N Canterbury adventures. But the owners were friendly and the river was beautiful and the kids loved the playground, so all good. From there we'd planned 3 days looking round Rangiora and the area but after a mornings drive and lunch in Rangiora (called in to the estate agent to try and see mossum but she wasnt there unfortunately) we'd decided that Loburn looked pretty good and the early favourites, Ohoka and Fernside were just a bit flat and dull looking. So we trashed 2 days doing practical stuff and headed up the coast instead to Kaikoura via Waikuku beach (fab place). Did the usual touristy bit at Kaikoura, had some great food at the Aroma Cafe and Black Rabbit Pizza place, Fiona shouted at some trouble making kids at the Top 10 and generally had a good time. Oh, and Johnny nearly peed on a seal - he was desperate and dad told him to go behind some bushes only to notice a huge seal under one. Oops. Bad dad.

From Kaikoura we headed inland to Hanmer for Labour Day weekend, basked in the springs, played mini golf and wandered about. Beautiful drive from the coastal highway over to Hanmer, we liked both ways we did it, there and back. From Hanmer we buzzed back to CCH for a night via Orana Park, the quality of which should be shouted from the rooftops - the kids got to feed giraffes and get within 4ft of rhinos!. Excellent. From there it was to Akaroa for the last 4 days to ponder and relax and see dolphins and get fit plodding up and down that hill between the Top 10 and the village!

Whats the upshot of the recce? If we move, it'll be to the N of Rangiora, which seems a fab wee town. It's still an if tho, although I suspect Fiona just needs some time to convince herself that it's what she wants to do and get over the emigration inertia and embrace the change.

Thanks to all for recommendations, especially Moorf, and apologies to Pip and Mossum who very kindly offered to meet up with us - we were hugely disorganised and didnt even buy a sim card for the phone, it was always something to do tomorrow!