Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your messages - lovely to hear from you. Good news Liz, and Rachel - keep smiling; there's nothing you can do about it now!

Mark & David: Mum didn't think she would be able to do the hi rise and scary rides but she's done them but now has more grey hairs.

Ann: we haven't lost any weight and will have to go on a diet on our return.

Our journey to Dunedin went smoothly and we had a lovely view of some dolphins playing around a couple of surfers on a beautiful beach. They were from Norway and Pat has promised to send them some video footage. We also did a lot of off road stuff, ending up miles from anywhere, but managed to see some fat seals and a lighthouse, as well as millions of sheep and cattle.

The weather really deteriorated then, and it was bloody cold for a couple of days and quite uncomfortable. Glad we brought fleeces. However, we had an interesting hour in Dunedin watching a lot of Scottish pipe bands parading up and down in the hissing rain. There was a big competition on. Then we decided to take a train ride up through the Gorge (see pictures) which was again very enjoyable.

On the road again to Christchurch. We were supposed to go on to Mount Cook, but looking at the mileage and the time we had left, we decided it would be too much of a rush and toodled along at a more leisurely pace. We found quite a nice camp site but didn't realise it was right next to the railway line. Every hour we were woken up by trains shunting back and forth! Lovely. The saving grace was a nice pub right next to the site, so we had a couple of sherbets and that's where John got his Guinness.

So, here we are in Christchurch after dropping off the van, and we stayed in a lovely hotel last night with a SWIMMING POOL, but it's been too cold to go in. We did the tram tour yesterday as well as the Gondola ride to overlook the 360 degree view of Christchurch. Also found another pub for a nice meal. Today we are off on a coach tour of places of interest, and then this evening we fly off to Rarotonga for four days of sunbathing, swimming, etc. (we hope).

We may be able to blog whilst there and send through some more photos which we haven't been able to upload, so until then, folks, that's it for now.

Take care everyone. Our holiday, sadly, is nearly at an end. So is the money!

Love us