Hello people

Well we have arrived in sunny Australia.

But before we get to that, here's our last 10 days or so in New Zealand:

Spent quite a while faffing around trying to sell our campervan, after a spot of cleaning, a spell in a car market and 2 auctions we finally sold it… for a fraction of what we bought it for, but never mind. It did us proud for 3 months, took us round the whole of the country, was our first home we bought together, and by the end we just wanted rid so we could leave the country (which was getting rather cold!). We feel a bit sorry for the poor person who bought it - it had so much rust a mechanic told us it won't pass the next WOF (MOT)… oops!

In the meantime we rented a campervan with 'Black Sabbath' graffiti on it (Emma still doesn't even know who they are!). However, we had to jump start it twice, the bed was too uncomfortable and it was too cold to sleep in, so we got some nice warm rooms in hostels instead.

Spent a few days back in Kaikoura with our friends Tom, Becky and Tom's brother Tim. This consisted of live bands, lots of food and drink, surfing, a trip to a cool limestone cave, and a walk to a waterfall with 30 or so young seal pups swimming and playing! This was amazing; we were very impressed at how they must have clambered all the way up a long stream to get there - just for fun!

We also spent some time chilling out in Sumner (where we met a nice Swiss couple, and saw some great films in a sweet little cinema - Slumdog Millionaire and The Boat that Rocked - you just HAVE to go and see them), Christchurch (for museum and art galleries) and a cute little French town Akaroa (for great food, walks and Em got a neacklace made).

Will miss NZ and it's French toast, but its just too cold now!Sydney on the other hand is sunny and warm… more about that next time!

Em and Ben xx

p.s. see photos in NZ South Island folder