[Sam B]

Been back from the South Island for a couple of days now and I am enjoying spending time outdoors without insect repellent on - I think we went to all the hot spots for sandflies! We had a great time, some of it was the most stunning scenery I have ever seen. We travelled slowly down the West Coast, then across the Haast pass, had a day in Wanaka, a day in Queenstown, then down to Bluff and over to Stewart Island for 3 days (oh the birds!) and then quickly back up the East side with a detour to Arthers pass (that looks like I've spelt it wrong) to see more birds.

We loved the West coast, we were lucky with the weather pretty much all the time, the view from Gillespies beach near Fox Glacier of Mount Cook etc was amazing, and my favourite place ever was Stewart Island. It was warm and sunny and the beaches were beautiful and white and sandy and the birds were ACE. We had a day trip to Ulva Island, predator free Island, it was wonderful.

It was also tiring and a bit stressful travelling around in the van with 2 kids. Sorrel got very sick, first sore throat thing, then sickness thing (I don't think we'll be welcomed back at Puzzling World) and it was hard to care for her well whilst travelling. She's a fussy eater to my deep shame, and she doesn't like eating out, and after her sickness her appetite was poor and she just didn't eat because we were eating out a lot and the stupid chefs insist on putting parsley on everything even beans on toast, which means she won't touch it - arrggghhh. So she is looking very thin and pale, but eating like a horse now that she's back at home, phew.

I didn't feel that inspired by the bottom half of the East coast, from the Catlins up to Ashburton, maybe we were all sceneried out, or we rushed it and didn't give it a chance, but it seemed a bit boring after the West coast. Anyway, overall, it was a fab trip and I can't wait to visit again, but maybe not travelling in a van next time, I fancy a bit more luxury!

[Sam B]

Photos:
Lake Rotoroa, Nelson lakes
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4250.jpg

Buller Gorge
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4276.jpg

KIds meet a weka
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4340.jpg

[Sam B]

Gillespies beach
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4455.jpg

Lake Murchison cafe
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4483.jpg

Fox Glacier
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4503.jpg

[Sam B]

Puzzling world - the leaning house (just before Sorrel was copiously sick)
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4537.jpg

sealion on Stewart Island
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4614.jpg

Near Queenstown
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4551.jpg

kaka on Stewart Island
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_4610.jpg

[Kim39]

Seems as though you had a wonderful time Sam. That pic of Gillespies Beach just sums it all up, absolutely stunning. Can relate to your daughter being sick as our youngest suffered badly whilst on a jaunt to Akitia with Diny's family. Projectile yuk came from below, but we had actually used Diny's other car for the weekend whilst they travelled in the other. Hayley was then carrying a yellow bucket for a week or two after it. To this day we don't know what she was struck down with, but it did help her lose 1.5st:clap roughly.

Thanks for sharing Sam.


Kim

[shakyle2906]

Absolutely stunning pics Sam, definetly something we hope to do one year.............

Sharon
x

[benandclare]

Fabulous post and awesome pictures:clap :clap

[StevieD]

Sam stunning photos, thanks for sharing them!

Didn't know you were in to the birds at all.... just had a really unfortunate incident today with a swift's nest over the door of a radio site in Whakarewarewa, didn't see it on the overhang in the sunlight, but it crashed down as I opened the door and 4 newly hatched chicks met their maker :( Really cut me up it did, and the mum and dad even flew into the radio cabin looking for them..... I felt so bad.

Anyway, good post and thanks again.

Steve

[Sam B]

I'm a big bird fan Steve. Shame about the poor swifts, you must have felt so bad, but not your fault.

[Jo Jo]

I've always found big bird quite scary.

http://www.loc.gov/about/awards/legends/biopics/Big_Bird.jpg

[Sam B]

HAAAAA ha ha ha ha. You're a card. Haven't you got some work to do or some sleep to be sleeping?

[Helsandfamily]

Thank you sam fab pictures -= very inspiring!

Hels

[Belmont Babes]

Sam those pics are fantastic. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your trip with us.
Nat X

[M&J]

Great pics again Sam, looks fab.

[dilanium]

Wonderful post and pics.

[thezorbster]

Glad you enjoyed it Sam, you must have been chasing us round the country.

Glad Sorrel's eating again - what she needs is a huge McDonalds!:D

[vixxann]

Fantastic photos Sam - thanks for posting :nice1

They make me do a real big SIGH and remember what all the hard work is for!

[KerryS]

Sounds like a fab trip Sam - shame about Sorrel being sick, I hope she's feeling much better now.
Your pics are always stunning!

[LesleyS]

Great pictures Sam, you always seem to make the most of your free time with your family....from the kid's point of view it must be very educational in a non learning kind of way.

[Lupin]

Sam- that first photo is awesome. That's a wee kiwi family looking our on the lake there :) Whoever is always behind the lens takes fantastic pictures :clap:

[Lupin]

Great pictures Sam, you always seem to make the most of your free time with your family....from the kid's point of view it must be very educational in a non learning kind of way.

ahem

or in a total learning in the best way kind of way ;)

[Sam B]

tee hee, thanks everyone.

That's the elusive J behind the lens, he has no truck with forums and refuses to appear on any pictures that I post.

[LesleyS]

ahem

or in a total learning in the best way kind of way ;)

You know what I mean.....;)

[pinkpiggy]

Fab pics Sam. Your trip to the South Island brings back memories.

We too have a fussy eater who won't eat anything with bits in (although this is due more to his aspergers) so can understand where you're coming from. I always remember going to Hamner Springs last year and asking the waitress if we could have a cheeseburger without any salad or sauces. When it arrived there was a bun and cheese bun no burger. I know we said plain but not THAT plain. :laugh :laugh

[Familyofmonkeys]

Wonderful pictures...you look so happy. My try and remeber how to post some of ours....we went to S Island too :)

[Sam B]

Don't even talk to me about bits! Sorrel can find "bits" in everything in NZ. The apple juice, the bread, one restaurant even put fried onion in her baked beans - aarrrggghhh.

[Tia Maria]

Great post Sam!

I'm with Sorrel on this one - a sprig of parsley does not make it a gourmet meal, some chefs are just garnish crazy!

Cheers

Tia

[Familyofmonkeys]

Great post Sam!

I'm with Sorrel on this one - a sprig of parsley does not make it a gourmet meal, some chefs are just garnish crazy!

Cheers

Tia

My daughter usually eats the sprig of parsley then makes sculptures with the rest of her meals....she doesn't seem to get that food is for EATING!