Left San Francisco at 9pm on 10th August american time and I arrived this morning - 12th August New Zealand time!

At Paul and Sonia's place now which is lovely. It's in the hills just behind Christchurch and has some great views when its not cloudy. This morning it was 0 degrees celsius and raining! Brrrrrr! Alot different to California, but I am prepared! Saw snow on the mountains as I flew in which was ace. Anyway, more updates to follow....

17th August

So I've been here 5 days. So far we have been on several treks up and down hills near to Sonia and Paul's. Well, they're called hills but in reality they're more like mountains! We went to the top of one the other day which was half the size of snowdon! It had cable cars coming down from the top (which clearly only mad people go in). Definitely too scary for me, but I've been ok with the old vertigo so far although my legs do get a bit wobbly in some places! Today we went to Scarborough....no not in Yorkshire. It was beautiful, great views from the top over the Pacific and the sun has been out eventhough alot of the South Island has had problems with snow.

On Wednesday I am going on a bus trip around the island with a tour company doing all the things young travellers do. Grandad, I think you did something like this when you were here once?

Anyway, lots of walking has been done. At least my bikini body will be prepared for Fiji!