what a wonderful city, or 'marvellous melbourne' as twas dubbed. Have been here a week and could easily just live here forever. Have done sooooo much, starting of course with the fact that I have succeeded in catching trams without getting too lost *cough*. Have been to allan's music shop where i spent way too much time catching up with my good friend mr steinway (a whole room full of them), the Fitzroy gardens, captain cook's cottage - love the a...

well, today was me last full day. Went to lyttleton and views across to the bank peninsula. Very purdiful indeed. Went to the art gallery and met up with Timmy Makower for the first time in, erm, many many years. Boootiful day in the botanic gardens, then to choral evesong, and take away pizza. Tasty goodness. New Zealand has to be visited. Seriously.

ha ha! What joys were in that walk. Best way to see real Nz without doubt. Eaten lunch at the top of the gondola and have just been paragliding.....it was amazingly cool. Back to dunners now to do a lot of washing.

it's the night before we head off to do the routeburn and greenstone tracks. It's raining and some of the weather forecast looks a little dubiuos. But I am sooo excited to actually be tramping proper, and am trying to ignore the number of steep climbs I am obliged to do during hte next five days or so. See you at the other end!

welcome to Curio Bay, the Catlins, home to about 20 inhabitants, most of which are either penguins, sea lions or dolphins. Tis wondreful here, doing some hostel work and surfing.