J: Just one view since driving from Franz Joseph to Greymouth on the west coast to catch the train across to Christchurch. But they're fixing a tunnel at the mo so actually it was a convoy of three coaches for a couple of hours until Arthur's Pass then the train. We preferred the coach to the train in the end because we were in a carriage full of chinese all taking loudly, playing cards and toing and froing to the buffet. My solution was Wedg's ipod turned up re...

J: Heavy rain on a flat roof was deafening last night and didn't bode well for today's heli-hike up onto the glacier. We rebooked for the midday trip after the cloud dispersed and it was brilliant! They gave us the gear - crampons are brilliant, we're going to recommend them for MK at the first sign of ice! W: The helicopter pilots clearly enjoyed having fun with us - swooping in and out of the valley and popping over the ridges! But that was not half as much fu...

W: Back from an overnight cruise along Doubtful Sound, it was a bit of a treck to get there but well worth the two coach journeys and a ferry across another lake! We saw a huge pod of very playful dolphins and penguins which seemed to be as popular as the impressive scenery. We met a nice American couple who are over to do some fly fishing, apparently this part of NZ has one of the best rivers in the world for that. I think we have managed to avoid the notorious ...

J: Left a cloudy top of Waiheke Island and arrived 1.5 hrs later down over the mountains of southern central South Island to blue skies and hot sun! About 1,000 miles. How can we be so far south and it get hotter?! Donned shorts and sandals and SPF 30 for stroll around. Snack lunch at 4.30 - then sought out Starbucks for coffee. Shops geared up for tourists so bought our first Christmas presents! They'll be getting smaller as we run out of room in Wedg's case.......

W: Just back at the hotel after touring the island in the hotel's mini moke. A driving adventure enough to rival any on Top gear. Had a lovely picnic on a white beach whilst sat under a tree with red flowers. I think there is a pic on here of it in case anyone recognises it. We saw some lambs in the fields which is yet another occasion to remind us how far away we are. Actually lamb also reminds me of the great food we have been enjoying here, I can't think w...