Since the last update the adventure really did continue. Onwards via the southern coastel road, through the catlins, stopping for walks out to a lighthouse with stunning scenery and more seals. The roads in parts just gravel tracks, but well worth the slow bumpy journey.

Driving out the Otago pennisula, right to the to the tip hoping to view the royal albatross, and our luck was in atfer standing for over an hour we were about to give up as one put a real show on for us by flying directly above our heads, very close about 5 or 6 times, really amazing with a wing span of over 3mtrs. We then went into the city centre of Dunedin (which was v special for Pops as the ties with Scotland and Dunedin actually is Gaelic for Edinburgh), we visited a scotland shop in Princes Street selling tunnocks tea cakes and Irn Bru so 14,000 miles from home and still can get any produce you fancy. Dunedin is a lovely city and again we enjoyed a visit to the museum of central otago settlers.

A very long drive onwards (and nearly running out of fuel) as our next stop was Kaikoura. Booking in to a beautiful campsite right on the beach, stayed 2 nights. 1st night was spent with a chippy tea and then into a great bar for a few, that we managed to get free with "Toss the Boss" heads or tails... Not a great drinking holiday tho we were also back in the van before 10pm or retired before midnight! Kaikoura is famous for its marine life and crayfish. We wanted to tick every box so took a drive around 20mins north of the town to sample the crayfish, it is soooo expensive at $70 in town, but the caravan at the side of the road selling it fresh was half the price and we even got to chat with the fisherman that caught it. A real delicasy, but pops didnt think it was that special as another fisherman we got chatting to fed him smoked salmon that made his mouth water "mmmmmmmmm". Next adventure was a cataraman trip out to the ocean to spot sperm whales, we were again very lucky and managed to watch 2. They were amazing and actually bigger than the cataraman itself. But to top this for me we came across a pod of dusky dolphins (50/60) wow they are such acrobats, just about a mtr away from us jumping and diving twisting and turning, they are very entertaining and put on a wonderful show. (I shall go out and swim with these one day).

As Pops wanted to drive the 2 major passes (Lewis and Arthurs) we extended the van and drove onwards back to the west coast stopping in at Hanmer springs which is a real hidden gem, as we were not expecting anything of the place but were pleasantly surprised at the lovely alpine feel and atmosphere, what clinched the deal of us spending the night there was the hot mineral pools and spa, 9 pools ranging in temperature from 26degrees C upto 41C, so we lazed in the pools enjoying blistering hot sunshine and a stunning mountain backdrop.

Whilst driving on to Greymouth we stopped at the famous geological phenomon called the pancake rocks and blowholes. Unfortunatly we missed the high tide so didnt get to see the blow holes in action, but the rocks were awesome and subject to some great tidal power. In Greymouth the highlight was a v impressive true NZ style pink sky sunset over the beach and ocean. Photos just may not do this justice.

Heading back East towards Christchurch over the Arthurs Pass which was well impressive and scarily quite high twisting. We stopped to walk under the hills to find a huge cave system that you had to waid into waist deep, being unprepared in flip flops we just admired the view and didnt venture very far inside. Finding a campsite for the night was a real laugh as we opted to stay in a town north of Christchurch called Rangiora. We shared our pitch with a cple of old sheep and the faciltiies were all 1970's chic, but hey it had character haha.

We escaped this campsite unscathed and drove out the Banks Peninsula to a beautiful Town called Akaroa. And wow when we got to this campsite for our last night with the van we opted for a pitch with a view, right on the hill overlooking the harbour, town and stunning blue bay. Defo saving the best for last, we were so sad we didnt have more time in this beautiful place, or with the van.

Handing the van back was such a sad heart breaking moment as neither of us wanted to return it. We managed 5500kms in the 24days we had it, you become so attached and it becomes your home!

This meant the end of our great adventure as we are now in Christchurch, staying in a motel doing the touristy things whilst I am also looking for work and Pops is dreading a very long couple of days travelling back to the UK and reality.