Dec 20th 2011 Can't believe it's so near Christmas & yet it doesn't feel like it here although they have decorations, trees etc the weather makes it all a bit sureal!! By now I would be in a panic with Emma's birthday 3 days away and then Christmas Eve with family arriving, cake to decorate and vegies to prepare!!! Must admit it's quite nice in a way as we've had a pretty rough time of late and it's good to chill out this year!! We look forward to having the...

Dec 17th 2011 Moving to Queenstown today. Left accomodation at 9.45am & headed towards museum to see the Tuataras. These creatures were around in the Jurassic Period. Although they look like reptiles they display some 'bird like' features. They have a pineal body in the top of their heads & this is thought to detect changes in light intensity with the seasons. Their skulls also have bird like features and along the backs of their heads & part of thei...

Port Douglas (Australia - Invercargill (NZ) Dec 12th 2011 Up early and left Port Douglas at 8.30am. V hot 34 degrees C and extremely humid. We had more bites as well despite lashings of 'Bushman' repellant! Arrived at Cairns airport around 10am & returned the Holden Commodore SV6 - -Pete v sad to see it go & it was a lovely comfy car. Our plane left on time & trailfinders had ordered us some lunch Got to Brisbane at around 3pm & had 3 hours to w...