Hiya,

Abel Talsman National park was beautiful. Unfortunately the original plan to do a lot of walking on the 1st day was somewhat scuppered by me hurting the sole of my foot running the day before. How I managed it is a mystery but it would appear that my accident prone-ness has followed me across the world! The next day we went sea kayaking though which was fantastic. The weather was beautiful and we got a close look at some seals. We kayaked around the coves stopping a couple of times for snacks and lunch and it made me feel like I was in the childrens sailing book Swallows and Amazons. This may have made more sense to the other Amy if we'd been sailing rather than kayaking, or if we were 6 rather than 26 or if she's actually ever even read the book. However despite a day of calling her ship mate Peggy she has not tried to kill me yet (and the nickname Peggy has now stuck!).

We headed back to Nelson for a night before travelling to Blenheim for a couple of days. Unfortunately it was raining and miserable in Blenheim. Even more unfortunately Blenheim is a bit of a hole! We were only there to go on a wine tour though and the weather miraculously cleared up for the afternoon of our tour. Trying six different wines at eight different wineries was a bit heavy but a tea and chocolate break mid way helped revive me. The stop at a chocolate factory on the way home was also very much appreciated!

After heading back to Nelson again we got back on the Kiwi bus again and headed to Westport for a night and then to Lake Mahinapua for the next. Westport was again rather a depressing place but Lake Mahinapua was much better. We had a christmas fancy dress party while staying at the pub/hostel (run by an 83 year old!) in Lake Mahinapua which was a bit random with it only just being December and it being hot again. Never mind, when in Rome...

We're now at Franz Josef and are off on a days hike tomorrow which is pretty exciting. All attention on not toppling into the glacier! Incidently I've been receiving a few emails wondering what the sum total of my lost stuff is. I would like to report that thanks to the nice man in the internet cafe in Paihia (coat, phone and sunglasses returned) and the nice bus company in Nelson (cardigan returned) and the nice lady at the Nelson YHA (handbag returned) I am currently only down 1 towel, 1 phone charger, a few pens and hundreds of hair ties. Thanks needs also to be given to other Amy who is still checking all rooms and buses before I'm allowed to leave!

Amyx