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Firstly let us apologise for our previous blog entry, we have received feedback advising this wasn't the easiest to understand so we will endeavour to make better use of our literacy skills from now on. We have enjoyed our final week in New Zealand and this blog was written whilst sitting in Christchurch Airport (unaffected by the recent earthquake).
We have handed Timo the Campervan back to the rental company - our cleaning skills were questioned but we managed to blag our way out of some windscreen chips that were present. Saying by to Timothy was a very sad moment in our lives and he will be deeply missed.
Earlier in the week, using some awesome navigational skills we found a small place on the West Coast called Otariko where Kate's Mum's Godmother, Mary along with husband and friends were camping. It was a cute little site (only costing $5) but plagued with aggressive sandflies who particularly liked the taste of Kate! (One week later, still itching with 70 bites). We were kindly treated to dinner (egg- again) and given the best invention probably ever made- a wired cheese slicer (dangerous, we know).
Queenstown looked lovely and posh- until it rained! Siobhan washed all her clothes, only to realise everything she owned that was slightly warm was now wet. She ventured out in tiny shorts with a massive raincoat to cover- very practical.
We woke up one morning to hundreds of frantic texts about an imminent Tsunami, one of you even contacted the foreign embassy. After deliberating over our East Coast plans (these included Cadbury's World- Kate was even going to give up her Lent chocolate ban for the day!) we decided to head inland to Mount Cook. Turns out the Tsunami hit New Zealand at less than one metre high! However we do appreciate all your concerns- thank you.
This week we have seen some amazing lakes- they're so blue they definitely don't look real. They also have awesome names; Lake Wanaka was so big it had waves, we camped in a secluded campsite on the shore. Lake Pukaki was bright blue with a snowy and cloudy Mount Cook in the backdrop (see photos to follow). Lake Tekapo (or Take-a-Poo in our case) was also a striking colour, we sunbathed on the rocks and also visited a local fete. Also went for a walk around Lake Mattherson where we could get a viewing of the great Fox Glacier, might we add whilst wearing flip flops- who said we needed walking boots!
Just outside Twizel (not pronounced Twizzle) we parked up in a field to take advantage of freedom camping. The stars were amazing and Siobhan has found her new life hobby, astrology- however we were disappointed not to see the Northern Star in the Southern hemisphere. Twizel/Tekapo is apparently one of the best places to star gaze in New Zealand because the air is so pure and miles away from any city.
When we ventured into Twizel (the cutest but sportiest village ever, centred around a grassy lawn) we found a bar called Hunters and had an epic mix of Italian, Mexican and Indian food- it was a positive change from cheese sandwiches, so much so that we returned for breakfast the morning after.
Liam- we had another venture to the water hole one evening. Turns out we ran out of water, despite the obvious surroundings of masses of lake. While looking for a tap we found a nice but questionably high couple who kindly filled all three of our bottles from their kitchen sink- don't worry we still appear to be alive.
So we're now in Melbourne, was brilliant to see Hannah at arrivals holding a banner with our names on! Loving having a roof and bed, and can't wait to go eat cakes in St. Kilda! Happy St. Patrick's Day, can't wait for the celebrations later on.
Brown Rating: Flipping High! (8% if we include Kate's brown shoulder).
Hope you're all well and thanks for all the comments!
Siobhan and Kate
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- comments
Mum/Ginny Great update girls. Thanks! xxx
Mum and Dad/Chris and Cath Heeeey, cool images lol. (whatever that means. NZ looked fab. You gonna get a van for Australia? What are the flies like? Have you got one of those hats with the corks hanging off? Enjoy the castlemaine xxxx. Take care. Skype soon. Miss you. Mum and Dad etc.
Marco No trouble deciphering this one, proud of you both. Have a great time in Aus and keep us posted. I second what your rents said about the xxxx! An Englishman, an Irishman and an Australian walk into a bar. The barman says, "Is this some kind of bloody joke?" Im not sure why I ended with that xxx