still aching

well my bones are still recovering from that Tongariro experience but it was all worth it. after a thrilling day in wellington, of shopping and laundry (it's not all fun and games you know) we caught the ferry over to Picton and are now camped in a lovely holiday park, kitted out with BBQ area, internet and spa/swimming poool. it's not quite like camping at home!

depite my aching limbs we are going to head off for a day walk tomorrow round Queen Charlotte area, not sure exactly where but there are a few options and sadly, we only have one day to fit it all in otherwise we'd love to do the whole thing. But hey, more adventures await and you can't stay still for too long otherwise work might find out where you are!

The current plans involve heading down from here to Blenheim to taste some of the local produce (i.e. wine), then heading to Kaikora to commune with nature (whales and dolphins), then "hopefully" with good weather we will do the hot air balloon trip outside christchurch which I bought paul for christmas. we have moved our booking for the Routeburn track which is a 3 day hike down south to give us a bit more time to head down there, but after than who knows! We fly back up to Aukland in a couple of weeks and then have about 4 days up north again before heading home atthe end of the month.

We spent last night in a YHA hostel in Wellington which was perfect for our needs, although I am really suffering from a stiff neck, which started on the morning of the Tongariro crossing, so in fact I was achign before we even started walking. I think it was worrying all night before if I could actually do it... so a night in a real bed was very welcome although it didn't actually seem to do much good so it's back to the old lilo again tonight.

anyway, thats it, you forget how nice it is to have unlimted internet access, theres nothing like a timer clicking down to stifle those creative blogging juices so farewell one and all......

Well so far we have -

Met a Kiwi (bird as opposed to people)
lazed in the sun
Bathed in sulpherous and smelly water
Got sunburnt (of course)
camped in some wierd and wonderful spots
celebrated new year with a bottle of wine of the beach and then fell asleep at about 9.30pm!
Drove the wrong way down a one way street
Got a ticket for driving the wrong way down a one way street! (in our defence - paul was driving and I was "navigating" - it wasn't very clear at all!)
Hung out with sufers in Raglan - NZ's answer to Newquay
Abseilied 100 metres down a rope to see some glow-worms and then climbed a 30 metre vertical ladder up (which was the scariest bit!)


Today we walked the Tongariro crossing, in other words round and up and over a volcano. It was a 17K, 8 hour journey, and it was my idea?????? sun must have gone to my head.

we're off!

packed and ready to go. only a small bit more cleaning and some cat food purchasing to go, then we catch the bus to Heathrow at half four. Hong Kong for 2 days, then arriving in Auckland on New Year's eve. So in theory we will be celebrating new year before everyone here, although i haev a funny feeling we may be asleep for one or both new year deadlines!

here's to a happy new year to all and a great 2008! see you in feb x

tinsel, pressies, pay reviews, muppet christmas carol, jigsaws, packing, reindeer, travel insurance, christmas tree, handover notes, exchange rates, rucksack purchases, signing 300 work christmas cards, buying sleeping bags, drinking alcohol,


its been fun but hectic!

This is my idea of a christmas tree properly decorated....

just to clarify

I've been recently nagging Paul to get some life insurance, purely on the grounds that we are now grown ups and have to worry about such things as insurance, composting and daydo rails.

However with this in mind I would like to make it very clear that if my lovely Kayaking boyfriend disappears at any time in the near future, and I happen to move to a tax-benefical country, please don't go getting suspsicous. honest guv

party on sat night went well with some interesting outfits. I chose to recycle one of many bridesmaid dresses i have in my cupboards. This one was 15 years old , worn without the yellow headdress but in all other ways I still looked gorgeous! cheers sal and jon....